The archaeologist's conservation work revealed a beforehand unknown portrait of the final Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI. Palaiologus (February 8, 1404 – Could 29, 1453), nicknamed the final Christian ruler of Constantinople, exhibiting his true kind in a sensible picture. an image of life, not an idealized murals.
In an announcement, the Ministry of Tradition for the Greek authorities confirmed that Anastasia Koumousi, director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia, was engaged on frescoes from the late Byzantine period within the Katholikon of the outdated monastery of Taxiarches in Aigialeia, simply 15 km (9 mi) from Aigia. The knowledgeable discovered the portrait within the second layer of frescoes from the fifteenth century.
“The work carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of the Ministry of Tradition,” stated Minister Lina Mendoni, “concerning the conservation and restoration of monuments, is as soon as once more proving to be extraordinarily necessary, because it reveals distinctive archaeological proof linked to historic figures.
“The scientific workers of the Ephorate of the Ministry of Tradition with wealthy expertise, excessive experience and complete information of each historic occasions and archaeological information is ready to doc any discover that involves gentle after a radical examine.
“The portrait on this case is related to the final Byzantine emperor and refers to his solely surviving portrait.
“The painter needed to depict the portrait traits of the final Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Palaiologus from his personal notion, i.e. his mannequin was not the official imperial portrait, as was customary, however the emperor himself.”
Constantine XI Palaiologos was “the final Christian emperor of Constantinople and Byzantium,” based on the late English Byzantine scholar Donald MacGillivray Nicol in his authoritative guide (1992), “The Immortal Emperor: The Life and Legend of Constantine Palaiologos, Final Emperor of the Romans.”
The emperor died preventing the Ottoman Turks when Constantinople fell in 1453, Nichol stated, however varied myths created the story of his demise with storytellers claiming he was became marble to change into immortal, with the concept that he would someday wakes as much as driving. his enemies from town.
A portrait unearthed by an archaeological discover reveals a mature man carrying the imperial insignia – an opulent twine over a light-colored bag with a cruciform stone crown – and holding a crusader's scepter, Greece's tradition ministry confirmed.
Its gold-embroidered purple mantle is embellished with medals embellished with double-headed eagles and a crown beneath their heads – the image of the Palaiologos household. It’s this mixture of the two-headed eagles within the garment, together with the remaining insignia, that has helped specialists deduce the id of the portrayed man as an emperor.
The archaeological discover is the one identified portrait of Constantine Palaiologus, who dominated for a short while (January 6, 1449 – Could 29, 1453). It’s also “the final chronologically preserved portrait of the emperor in a Byzantine monumental portray,” added the Ministry of Tradition.
“As a portrait, it isn’t idealistic or standardized. It’s an genuine portrait that precisely displays the physiognomic traits of the final Byzantine emperor,” the Ministry of Tradition stated. “He’s a down-to-earth determine, a mature man, with a slim face and distinctive options that radiate calmness and kindness.”
Constantine XI Palaiologos was the brother of the sponsors, despots Demetrios and Thomas, who renovated the monastery, based on the Ministry of Tradition.
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