Women in Byzantine History in the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries: Some Theoretical Considerations

Abstract

In this chapter, the author examines Skylitzes' history with a focus on revealing the social concerns of the Byzantine society in the eleventh century, specifically in the realm of women's involvement in public life. Examination of texts is most revealing at times of societal change when the strain of the conflict between one ideology and another reveals the weak points in a society's ideology. Teasing out what authors intended when they included women in their stories helps us reveal not only the writer's philosophical and political agenda but also more deep rooted concepts of social structure, authority and patriarchy. Women played a significant role as representatives, transmitters and legitimators of lineage and wealth. The women that received most of Skylitzes' criticism, Helen Lekapene, Thephano [wife of Romanos II (959-963)], Zoe and Theodora, broke from the positive stereotypes of womanhood and invaded the male sphere of power, action and public life. Keywords:Byzantine; eleventh century; Helen Lekapene; honor; John Skylitzes; power; tenth century; women