Legitimating Figure. Women, Marriage and Power
Legitimating Figure. Women, Marriage and Power

Summary/Abstract: This research is part of a larger study on the conceptualization of power and its religious basis in pre-modern societies. It is being carried out through a study of the inauguration rituals that mark not only the instigation of the power of the ruler but also suggests its religious basis, conceptualization and justification. It is grounded on source material from Byzantium and its legacy in the countries of South-Eastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. Concerning the concrete topic about women and power and the legitimating role of women, I would like to note that my interest in a comparative research project on matrimony and power is longstanding. There is an obvious relation between nuptial church office and royal coronation in Eastern Christianity that has not been entirely studied and to complete such a study is one of the aims of my research. In many languages (Greek, Latin, Slavic and so forth) even the appellations of both ecclesiastical rites are the same or similar. Expectedly, the ritual acts correspond too. All this should signify that their meaning is analogous. I strongly believe that they should be studied comparatively.

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