This study is a result of tracking the change of the Byzantine policy in the middle of 11th century. Especially, it suggests new definition of a group called 'Civilian Faction'. Until now, this group has be regarded as a set of the Senate and administ...
This study is a result of tracking the change of the Byzantine policy in the middle of 11th century. Especially, it suggests new definition of a group called 'Civilian Faction'. Until now, this group has be regarded as a set of the Senate and administrative officer. However, we claimed that the group had based on the citizen of Constantinople, like the merchant and the craftsman. In addition, this research contains the policies of the Constantine IX and their results.
According to the earlier researches, the establishment of the empire had not changed from the 9th century to the 11th century. Overcoming the military crisis in 8th century, the military featured as new hierarchy of the empire, while the Senate fell into ruin. Having given privileges to the military, the emperors had constantly supported them. Throughout the 9th and 10th century, as a result, the military became the military aristocracy.
The power of military aristocracy reach its peak with aggressive policy of the empire after the middle of 9th century. To carry out the war, emperors had needed military aristocracy's helps, so that they received rewards. For example, the families of Lekapenos, Phokas, and Tzimiskes replaced the right of the emperor.
However, after the death of Basil II, the growth of military aristocracy was stopped. Because the aggressive policy of the empire was discarded and the sceptre was passed to a member of the Senate and the merchant for the absence of Macedonian Family's male successor. It means the appearance of the non-military emperors. Therefore, the power of the military was diminished.
In this situation, Constantine IX, non-military aristocracy, won the crown. The aim of the new emperor was the construction of the state governed by the civilian. But he couldn't achieve his goal immediately, for the emperor had to strengthen his power and role at first. For the first three years, the emperor spent his time on suppressing the rebellion usurping the throne, repelling the enemy, and calming down the commotion of the citizen. Surmounting those situations, the emperor could present his political wishes.
First of all, Constantine IX wanted to foster a force that could support his policies. The emperor placed the greatest scholars of those days near so that they could assist him. Besides, he entrusted the tasks of state to the courtier and the eunuch. Particularly, the emperor nominated his close associates, not soldiers, for the military task and command of the army. By this way, he could control the army, especially central and western army.
One of the most important policies of the Constantine IX was to open the Senate and establish law school for the citizen. The emperor wanted to win over the citizen for his supporter, because he witnessed the power of them before having got the crown. By those policies, the citizen could become the government official and participate in the politics. Then, the citizen evolved into 'Civilian Faction' by uniting with emperors close associates.
Furthermore, Constantine IX tried to weaken the army. He exempted the military service of theme's soldiers and changed theme's leader into civil official, not military commander. The emperor also entrusted courtier and eunuch with military task, while military officer remained as their assistant. The anti-military politics was challenged by the rebellion of Leo Tornikios, but after the failure of revolt, nobody could interrupt emperor's movement. Therefore, in 1053, Constantine IX disbanded the units of eastern themes and imposed tax. The revenue was consumed for foundation of monastery and economic supporting to civilian faction.
The policies of Constantine IX left conflict between military faction and civilian faction. As he dead, fortunately, the conflict didn't boiled over. But Michael VI, his successor, took civilian faction's side and provoked a grave trouble. So this serious problem caused internal conflict which made defeat at Manzikert in 1071. Since this defeat had been, the empire had slid into decline. In this respect, the change of the Byzantine policy in the middle of 11th century, the appearance of Civilian faction, and anti-military policies acquire a important meaning in the Byzantine's history.