Maria Palaiologina
Maria Palaiologina | |
---|---|
Chora Church, Istanbul | |
Tenure | 1265 – 1282 |
Noble family | Palaiologos |
Spouse(s) | Abaqa Khan |
Issue | Theodora Ara Qutlugh |
Father | Michael VIII Palaiologos |
Maria Palaiologina (
Historical context
In the 13th century, the
However, the Mongol Empire was experiencing internal dissension, and though the center of power was the Great Khan in Karakorum, the Empire had split into four "khanates", one for each of four of Genghis's grandsons. Hulagu's portion was known as the Ilkhanate and stretched through the area today that covers parts of Turkey and Iran on the west, and Pakistan on the east. The section to the north, covering parts of Russian and Eastern Europe, was known as the Golden Horde. Relations between the khanates were not friendly, and battles erupted between them, even as they both were attempting to further extend the Empire westwards towards Europe, Greece, and the Middle East.
Arranged marriage
Michael VIII, the Byzantine Emperor based in Constantinople, attempted to stay on friendly relations with both khanates. Hulagu had been negotiating for a lady of the imperial family of Constantinople to be added to his number of wives, and Michael selected his illegitimate daughter Maria.[1][2] He also betrothed another of his daughters, Maria's sister Euphrosyne Palaiologina, to Nogai Khan, head of the Golden Horde. Both khanates maintained an attitude of tolerance towards the Christians.[3]
On her journey to marry Hulagu, Maria left Constantinople in 1265, escorted by the abbot of
Widowhood
Maria resided in Persia at court of Abaqa for a period of 15 years, until her husband - follower of Tengri - died and was succeeded by his Muslim brother Ahmad.[6] According to Orlean's manuscript, Baidu Khan was close to Maria during her time in Persia and frequently visited her ordo (nomadic palace) to hear interesting stories about Christianity.
She eventually returned to Constantinople, but in 1307, during the reign of
Maria was then forced to go back to Constantinople once again, where she became the Ktetorissa of the Panagiotissa Monastery, and remained there for the rest of her life. According to some sources, she brought back a daughter of her from Abaqa - Theodora Ara Qutlugh (
Legacy
The church of the monastery was officially dedicated to the
The Church is called by the Turks "the Church of Blood" (Kanli Kilise), as the building saw violent combat during the
There is a surviving mosaic portrait of Maria, from the
Notes
- ^ a b Runciman (1987), p. 320
- ^ "The sustained attacks by the Sultan Baibars (…) rallied the Occidentals to this alliance [with the Mongols], to which the Mongols also convinced the Byzantines to adhere", Jean Richard, "Histoire des Croisades", p. 453
- ^ Van Millingen (1912), p. 272
- ^ Van Millingen (1912), p. 273
- ^ Runciman (1987), p. 332
- ^ Van Millingen (1912), p. 274
- ^ Teteriatnikov, Natalia, "The Place of the Nun Melania (the Lady of the Mongols) in the Deesis Program of the Inner Narthex of Chora, Constantinople," Cahiers archéologiques 43 (1995), 163–80
- ^ Van Millingen (1912), p. 275
- ISBN 978-90-04-30775-9.
- ^ Janin (1953), p. 213
- ^ "Istanbul" (2003), p.111
- ^ IlKhans at the Wayback Machine (archived 2008-09-20)
References
- Van Millingen, Alexander (1912). Byzantine Churches of Constantinople. London: MacMillan & Co.
- Janin, Raymond (1953). La Géographie ecclésiastique de l'Empire byzantin. 1. Part: Le Siège de Constantinople et le Patriarcat Oecuménique. 3rd Vol. : Les Églises et les Monastères (in French). Paris: Institut Français d'Etudes Byzantines.
- ISBN 978-0-14-013705-7.
- Jean Richard (1996). Histoire des Croisades (in French). Fayard. ISBN 2-213-59787-1.
- Istanbul. Guides Voir (in French). Hachette. 2003. ISBN 2-01-243633-1.
External links
Media related to Maria Palaiologina at Wikimedia Commons
- IlKhans at the Wayback Machine (archived 2008-09-20)