The role of the aristocracy

he political power of the aristocracy was based on the tenure of public and military offices, most of which had already been held by aristocrats since the end of the 13th century, but which, in time, became a sort of monopoly in their hands. However, the reaction of the aristocracy immediately after the conquest of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204, was notable. The majority of the aristocratic families of Asia Minor, Thrace, Epiros and the Peloponnese set up an organised front against the conqueror, so that the triumph of Michael VIII in 1261 was in fact a victory of the aristocracy.

After 1261, as the power of the state decreased, that of the aristocratic families grew, as they gradually exerted increasing control over the throne. At the same time, the decentralisation of the Byzantine state began, as the emperor ceded entire regions to governors, the so-called katepanoi, who were independent of the central administration. The katepanoi were either members of the imperial family or of other aristocratic families. Thus, many aristocratic families enjoyed a measure of independence from the central government, as they ruled the areas where their economic power was concentrated, in this way creating centres of authority.

The economic power of the aristocrats was mostly based on the ownership of land from which they drew income and taxes. As time went by and more land came into their possession, their economic power grew accordingly.

It should also be pointed out that intellectual life, too, often expressed the interests of the aristocracy. Members of aristocratic families became owners and donors of churches and monasteries and actively followed the intellectual developments in the Byzantine world, to which they contributed decisively not only as influential patrons but also as distinguished and prolific writers.