Byzantinism

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Byzantinism
Basic Information
Aliases	Byzantism Post-Caesarism Roman Imperialism 2.0 Caesaropapism Bureaucratic aristocracy Second Hellenic Civilisation
Alignments	AuthUnity Monarchists Religious Culturally Right
Ideological Influences
Influenced by	Caesarism
Influenced	Orthodox Theocracy Cameralism Metaxism Neo-Ottomanism
Ideological Information
Notable Examples	Byzantine Empire Balkan society Russian Empire Prussian Society Teutonic Order
Character Information
Song	Fox Anthem You'll Come Like Lightning Theodora Peace Theme Farya Faraji - Hikanatoi Farya Faraji - Boulgaroktόnos Farya Faraji - The Kings in Epirus Age of Empires 2 - Byzantine theme Πάρθεν η Ρωμανία

Byzantinism or Byzantism, is a term which refers to the political system of the Byzantine Empire as well as implementations of its system. The Byzantine system was notable for being extremely bureaucratic, with it effectively being the most centralised state in medieval Europe. Byzantinism lived on despite the Byzantine Empire’s collapse, being adopted throughout the empire's spiritual successors in the Balkans and to a lesser extent in Russia, Germany and France.

History

Byzantine Empire

Byzantinism considers itself to be the legitimate continuation of the Roman Empire after the deposition of Romulus Augustus. With a new capitol in Constantinople, they continue to practice the same system of government, laws, and customs that had existed in the Western half of the Roman Empire.

Greece

The modern day country of Greece is seen by many as a successor to the Byzantine Empire. The Greeks are descendants of the Byzantines, and the Greeks speak the same language that the Byzantines once did: Greek. Greece also inherited its state religion, Orthodox Christianity, from Byzantium.

Eastern Europe

Many Eastern European countries were influenced by the Byzantine Empire. They were converted to the Orthodox religion by the Byzantines, and adopted elements of Byzantine culture. These countries, including Russia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, adopted a Byzantine-style government with an Emperor in charge as an absolute monarch and the Orthodox Church playing an integral role in society.

France

France was the origin place of Charlemagne, King of the Franks, who was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope on Christmas Day in the year 800. In doing so, he claimed to be the legitimate successor to the Roman Empire, challenging the Byzantine claim to succession. Despite this, he had a plan to marry the Byzantine Empress Irene of Athens, in order to unite the their empires and add legitimacy to his claim. This plan never came to fruition however, and Charlemagne eventually died, his empire being torn apart by his sons. Nevertheless, it can be argued that because of his claim to succession of Rome, and his plan to legitimatize this claim by marrying Empress Irene, one can say that his empire was in, some way, a form of the Byzantine Model.

Germany

Many years after Charlemagne, one of his successors, King Otto of Germany, was crowned Holy Roman Emperor. Thus, for centuries to come, he and his successors who reigned as Holy Roman Emperors would consider themselves legitimate successors to Rome, in competition with the Byzantines. While Napoleon Bonaparte would eventually dissolve the Holy Roman Empire, an element of its legacy did remain in the Crowns of Austria and Prussia (later Germany) all the way until World War I. Thus, the Holy Roman Empire and its successors to some extent did create a Byzantine society, based around an Emperor, who often competed with the pope over control of the state church.

Ideology

Administration

The Byzantine Empire and many the states it influenced were administered by an absolute monarch, usually an Emperor. Emperors used a complex bureaucratic legal system which took elements from Ancient Roman Law and Church Canon Law to rule their empire. This system would incorporate anyone who had the competence to be a part of it, whether that person be of noble origin of common descent. The Byzantine Empire, in its governance, was heavily centered around Constantinople, which was the seat of the Emperor and the capital of the Empire.

Caesaropapism

In the Byzantine Empire, the Church and State were closely connected, and the two often influenced each other. Emperors used, or tried to use, their authority to exert influence on the Orthodox Church, such as during the Byzantine Iconoclasm, when Emperor Leo III banned the usage of some religious images in churches. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Emperors were often opposed by the Church if their practices were seen as conflicting with its beliefs. In the case of the Iconoclasm, many theologians were against it, and, it was eventually ceased as a result.

Personality and Behavior

Byzantinism seems to have an apathetic but easily triggered attitude. He speaks Greek and calls foreigners Barbarians (like his ancestors who he also kinda hates). He hates Turks and Latin crusaders for their unforgivable crime in 1204. He is deeply religious and he is faithful to the Emperor. He mostly wears purple robes and likes fancy jewllery.

How to Draw

1. Draw a ball.
2. Fill it dark red.
3. Add a gold cross in the middle.
4. Draw 2 reversed B's on the top left and bottom left of the ball.
5. Draw 2 B's on the top right and the bottom right of the ball.
6. Add the eyes and you're done!

Flag of Byzantinism

Relations

Friends

• Caesarism - The earlier version of me, I am the legitimate continuation of the Roman Empire.
• Orthodox Theocracy - The official state religion of my Empire. We work well together.
• Absolute Monarchism - The Emperor's rule is undeniable!

Frenemies

• Ancent Greek Pagan Theocracy - My ancestors, smart but heretic. I saved their writings and philosophy through me by both the Muslims and the Iconoclasts! However, Theodosius the Great put an end to their anomaly and social anarchy and made them civilized, a̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶s̶e̶ ̶w̶h̶o̶ ̶l̶i̶v̶e̶d̶ ̶a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶u̶r̶g̶e̶.
• Aristocracy - Basil II the Bulgarslayer, along with the Bulgars also slayed the Minor Asian rich landowners for their disbelief in him, but Alexios Komnenos brought them back, so I am confused.
• Norse Pagan Theocracy - Good Varangian warriors but barbaric heathens.
• Bonapartism - How can you be Rome? You are Frankish! You're right that Constantinople should be the capital of the world, though.
• Clerical Fascism - The National Union of Greece tried to restore me, but why so extreme?
• Venizelism - The modern Greeks that tried to revive me and unfortunately failed. But what's wrong with the Monarchy?

Enemies

• Islamic Theocracy - My worst enemy!
• Zoroastrian Theocracy - My original worst enemy!
• The Holy Roman Empire - How dare you to claim the HRE is the legitimate successor to Rome!
• Catholic Theocracy - You heretic pope-licker, the Great Schism was fabulous. "Better Turkish Fez than Papal Tiara" ~Grand Duke Loukas Notaras
• Jewish Theocracy - You inspired my religion but why did you betray our Lord and Saviour you damned Hebrews!
• Slavic Pagan Theocracy - Barbarians who invaded Konstandinopolis, I Christianized you!
• Neo-Ottomanism - How can you be Kayser-i-Rum? You are Turkish!
• Esoteric Fascism - WHAT? "Lizard-sponsored demiurge worshipping filthy large tribe of weak degenerates"? Are you ok, pagan?
• Thalassocracy - TRAITOR!!!!
• Crusadism - Your crimes were unforgivable in 1204! GET REKT!!

Further Information

Texts

• The Byzantine Commonwealth by Dmitri Obolensky

Wikipedia

• Byzantinism
• Byzantine bureaucracy and aristocracy
• Byzantine Empire
• Caesaropapism

Organizations

• Byzantium Novum