The Byzantine Empire was renowned for its dazzling court rituals and intricate etiquette, a complex system that could bewilder even the most seasoned diplomats. These rituals transcended mere formalities; they were central to the exercise of imperial power, transforming the court into a stage where politics was performed as theatre.
The recently identified portrait of Konstantinos XI Palaiologos in a monastery church provides new insights into Byzantine art and its historical context, particularly during the mid-Byzantine period.