| Abstract: | Byzantine crowns are not only emblematic of the empire, but also reflect the breadth and depth of her acquaintance. Much like the Classical tradition of using women as personifications of cities, states and ideals, the empress who embodied the empire was often depicted in a more elaborate crown than the emperor. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the Byzantine empress' crown as distinct from the emperor's crown. Both evolved, in part, from the much simpler diadems of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Comparison of pictorial images and historical sources reveals how their respective styles diverged and the influences that fed those variations. Further comparison with the jewellery and headgear of neighbouring peoples reveals the influence of Eastern headgear and hairdressing upon the evolution of the empress's crown. Much like the decorative arts of Byzantium, the empress's crown testifies to the fusion of Mediterranean and Eastern cultures. |
