Schlechte Nachrichten vom Ende

Abstract

Abstract This study explores how rumours, negative messages, and apocalyptic interpretations affected imperial authority at the Byzantine court. Rulers faced constant uncertainty about the duration of their reigns and the threat of usurpation. Dreams, ominous natural phenomena, monsters, collapsing statues, and circulating prophecies all could be interpreted as signs of decline or divine disfavour. Such occurrences often generated rumours that could destabilize imperial legitimacy. Emperors responded through various coping strategies: repression of criticism, demonstrative ceremonial displays of power, actions to prevent prognosticated events, reinterpretation of omens, and reliance on religious or scholarly advisors. While the institution of the emperorship itself remained stable, the personal authority and safety of individual rulers were highly vulnerable to public perception and rumour, particularly in Constantinople, the most populous city and politically exposed centre of the empire.