Les élites de cour de Constantinople (450-610). Une approche prosopographique des relations de pouvoir

The political history of the Eastern Roman Empire under Justinian is usually embodied by a few rulers with ambivalent legacies. This work studies the Constantinople court behind the scenes from 450 to 610, at the moment when it grew into a distinct entity. It thus spans the period from the rule of Marcian, the promoter of the Council of Chalcedon (451) to that of Phocas, who may be considered as the last Emperor of Antiquity. The approach relies on a prosopography of court elites known for their political ties with emperors, but also for their family bonds, geographical origins, and religious options. For each of the individuals meeting these criteria, career details are discussed, particularly in contrast with the entries of Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire.

The perspective is chronological and follows the successive imperial rules, each of them being studied with regard to the specific configuration of its court. The geographical origin and religious orientation of these court elites are main parameters delineating the dominant groups and cementing their cohesiveness. The Balkans, Asia Minor, the Near East and Egypt were just as central as Chalcedonism and Monophysitism to the power struggles playing out in the court. The importance of kinship loyalty during that period has long been underestimated, although it is similar to what is observed in the later history of the Byzantine Empire. Recurrent rebellions often harked back to the legitimacy of former Emperors. But these protests were more radical in the provinces than in the capital and ultimately, proved to be only a minor threat to the imperial power, except in the early seventh century. While the political personnel experienced a high turnover, certain factions still enjoyed relative longevity at the court of Constantinople, which gained a form of stability over the period. Studying the variations of the Byzantine court thus enriches our knowledge of European political culture.