What’s in a title?
.jpg) - The Greek inscription reads ‘Irene, the most pious ruler’. The Greek word ‘eusebes’ (εὐσεβής) means pious, but also holy.](https://micrio.thingsthattalk.net/vAxaz/views/max/376x491.jpg)
Painting of empress Irene (8th century) in the Basilica San Marco in Venice - Wikimedia commons - The Greek inscription reads ‘Irene, the most pious ruler’. The Greek word ‘eusebes’ (εὐσεβής) means pious, but also holy.
“Basilissa is not a name, but a title. It was introduced by her on coinage”, answered Theophylactos. “Irene is the first empress who used this title. The normal title would be ‘Augusta’. With the title Augusta Irene is depicted on the obverse (!) of earlier coins, issued during the period she was empress-mother”.
“So why did she want to change this title?”, asked Maurizio. “Augusta is the title of an empress, who is dependent on an emperor. But there is no (future) emperor anymore, and thus no_ Basileus_, the official title of a Byzantine emperor. Indeed, she is now the sole ruler. Therefore Irene selected a new title, basilissa, the female version of basileus, for the coins of her sole reign.
Moreover, Maurizio, basilissa has another connotation. The term is also commonly used to designate imperial wives in literary sources in the eight-to-tenth century texts. A connection may be observed between the description of an empress’ charitable works and the use of the title basilissa. Anyway, she wanted to emphasize her new and powerful position, but also her virtue as a benefactor. This virtue was of the utmost importance for a Byzantine emperor “.
“But was always the title Basilissa used?” asked Maurizio. “Irene used this title on all her coins and seals”, replied Theophylactos, “But, of course, she couldn’t control the whole world. There is an image of Irene, maybe you know it. It is to be seen at the high altar in the basilica of San Marco in your hometown. This image, made during her reign as sole ruler, bears a Greek inscription, saying: Irene, the most pious augusta’’.
“That’s very interesting”, Maurizio said.
“Now we have talked about her name and her title, but she is also wearing a dress. What makes Irene’s dress so special?”