Translating Chivalry. The Ethics and Aesthetics of Warfare in the Age of the Komnenoi (1081-1204)

Chivalry, traditionally associated with medieval Europe, emerged as a shared aesthetic and ethical framework among the Byzantine military elite during the Komnenoi dynasty (1081–1204). This study reveals that warfare was glamorized in Byzantium, mirroring parallel developments in the Latin West and Islamic world, through the restructuring of aristocratic identity around martial ideals. By analyzing visual, textual, and material evidence—including rock-cut churches in Cappadocia, lead seals, coins, and icons—the research demonstrates how chivalric conventions diffused across the Mediterranean, shaping representational strategies and artistic expression. The study also highlights the role of performance, classical antiquity manipulation, and ornamentation in enhancing warrior identities, offering a nuanced reinterpretation of word-image relations and ephemeral cultural practices.

Berardi, C. (2025). Translating Chivalry. The Ethics and Aesthetics of Warfare in the Age of the Komnenoi (1081-1204) [University of Michigan]. https://doi.org/10.7302/27289