Passing on Political Information between Major Powers: The Key Role of Ambassadors between Byzantium and some of its Neighbours
Nicolas Drocourt
Ambassadors and embassies were numerous between Byzantium its Muslim Western Christian neighbours during the Middle Byzantine Period. This article seeks to demonstrate that these official envoys constituted major players involved in transfer of political information courts considered. those who travelled most Mediterranean area our period – at least 700 900. Furthermore, as acting for sovereigns, they carefully listened by sovereigns when returned. Information coming from ambassadors is found various sources concerned military matters foreign policy. But we also find precise data on domestic affairs internal information. news usurpations troubles may have an important part transferred beyond Empire. Foreign witnessed palace revolutions. Their testimonies could nourished idea a government weakened instability this theme became prominent twelfth century some courts.
Al-Masaq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean