Traces of donation/ donor/ patronage/ patrons in Byzantine manuscripts

The subject of the doctoral thesis titled "Traces of Donation/ Donor/ Patronage/ Patrons in Byzantine Manuscripts" is manuscripts from the Byzantine period that either have their patron identified or contain a dedication miniature attributed to a patron. Patronage activities in Byzantium were carried out with the desire of immortalize oneself and obtaining forgiveness for sins by having one's name mentioned in inscriptions or depicted in images in exchange for generous donations to depict sacred figures alongside ordinary mortal figures. In this context, the dates, places of production, the lives of the patrons of manuscripts where they could be identified within the boundaries of the Byzantine geography, their positions and titles within the state, have been thoroughly examined. The historical background of patronage and its activities, which desire the salvation of souls through generosity and social consciousness, attainment of spiritual tranquility, gratitude, and increasing of status, have been evaluated within the discipline of Art History. Within the scope of the thesis, a total of 52 manuscripts, where the patron could be identified (through portraits or colophons), were examined chronologically under five groups. Among these manuscripts, 42 are religious, 2 are scientific, 3 are decrees, 1 is a chronicle, and 4 are historical works. Among these manuscripts, 30 contain a dedication page attributed to the patron, while 20 include colophon/dedication epigram pages providing information about the patron's identity.