Female patrons in the Byzantine civilization (4-6. centuries)

This thesis study aims to examine the female patrons who had an impact on the cultural, religious, social and political life of the society within the history of the Byzantine Empire. The paper explores the works of art commissioned by noble women and women from court circles, while considering the position and image of women in the Byzantine Empire. The support from the mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of the emperors to art, and the personal and social reasons behind these motivations were investigated. By examining pieces such as architectural works, coins and jewelry made in the empire with the contribution of female patrons, clues about the role of women within the empire were identified. The study addresses first the place of women in society starting from the Greek and Roman periods, before moving on to the patronage of women. Then, the position of women in the Byzantine period was discussed from the social, legal, economic and religious aspects. In this study, considering the scope and breadth of the subject, it was assessed that concentrating on the activities of the women of the Theodosian Dynasty is necessary. It becomes evident that the patronage activities of noble women continued in the following periods of the Byzantine history. It is noteworthy that the women in question were very strong characters who had coins minted in their name. Imperial women and noble women had various structures built, engaged in philanthropic activities, and represented the empire by holding official positions. It is seen that women played a powerful role during the times that determined the fate of the empire. For example, Theodora (- 548) changed the course of history with her speech during the great Nika uprising in 532, and Zoe ruled the empire together with her spouses. Aelia Eudocia, the daughter of a Greek philosopher, pioneered the re-establishment of the University of Constantinople in 425, Anicia Juliana supported the composition of a work that is defined as a fundamental medical resource in Byzantium, and Anna Komnene Alexios wrote a book titled Alexiad in which she described the period of her father Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (1081-118). Although their influence diminished in some periods, women played not a supporting but a leading role between 330 to 1453, during the period when the Byzantine Empire ruled. Keywords: Byzantium, Female Patrons, Byzantine Art, Coin, Mosaic.