Described by Brownworth as one of the most famous scholars of the Middle Ages, Photius rose rapidly through court ranks — from captain of the guard to chief imperial secretary — before Bardas elevated him to patriarch within a week of joining the priesthood. He championed Byzantine ecclesiastical independence against Pope Nicholas I, commissioned Cyril and Methodius to evangelize the Slavs, and served as the key spiritual force behind Basil's cultural renaissance, though his political machinations around the succession of Leo nearly proved his undoing.
Also known as: Phodius · Patriarch Photius · Photios I
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Episode 12 (22 mentions)
Described by Brownworth as one of the most famous scholars of the Middle Ages, Photius rose rapidly through court ranks — from captain of the guard to chief imperial secretary — before Bardas elevated him to patriarch within a week of joining the priesthood. He championed Byzantine ecclesiastical independence against Pope Nicholas I, commissioned Cyril and Methodius to evangelize the Slavs, and served as the key spiritual force behind Basil's cultural renaissance, though his political machinations around the succession of Leo nearly proved his undoing.
“a patriarch named Phodius and the Emperor Basil.”
“In these events, Phodius saw the perfect opportunity.”
“He deposed Phodius just as the patriarch had won his struggle”
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