Byzantine era History of Thessaloniki

saints cyril , methodius.



the church of hagios demetrios, patron saint of city.



the church of holy wisdom (Αγία Σοφία - hagia sophia) in central thessaloniki.



theodorus gaza, called epithet thessalonicensis (latin) , thessalonikeus (greek), humanist , translator of aristotle.

when roman prefecture of illyricum divided between east , west roman empires in 379, thessaloniki became capital of new prefecture of illyricum (reduced in size). importance second constantinople itself, while in 390 location of revolt against emperor theodosius , gothic mercenaries. botheric, general, several of high officials, killed in uprising triggered imprisoning of favorite local charioteer pederasty 1 of botheric s slave boys. 7,000 - 15,000 of citizens massacred in city s hippodrome in revenge – act earned theodosius temporary excommunication.

a quiet interlude followed until repeated barbarian invasions after fall of roman empire, while catastrophic earthquake severely damaged city in 620, resulting in destruction of roman forum , several other public buildings. thessaloniki came under attack slavs in 7th century (most notably in 617 , 676–678); however, failed capture city. byzantine brothers saint cyril , saint methodius born in thessaloniki , byzantine emperor michael iii encouraged them visit northern regions missionaries adopted south slavonic speech basis old church slavonic language. in 9th century, byzantines decided move market bulgarian goods constantinople thessaloniki. tsar simeon of bulgaria subsequently invaded thrace, defeated byzantine army , forced empire move market constantinople. in 904, saracens, led leo of tripoli, managed seize city , after ten-day depredation, left after having freed 4,000 muslim prisoners while capturing 60 ships, , gaining large loot , 22,000 slaves, young people.

following these events, city recovered , gradual restoration of byzantine power during 10th, 11th, , 12th centuries brought peace area. population of city expanded, according benjamin of tudela, jewish community of 500-strong established in 12th century. during time city came host fair of saint demetrius every october, held outside city walls , lasted 6 days.

the economic expansion of city continued throughout 12th century rule of komnenoi emperors expanded byzantine control serbia , hungary, north. city known have housed imperial mint @ time. however, after death of emperor manuel komnenos in 1180, fortunes of byzantine empire began decline , in 1185, norman rulers of sicily, under leadership of count baldwin , riccardo d acerra, attacked , occupied city, resulting in considerable destruction. nonetheless, rule lasted less year , defeated byzantine army in 2 battles months later, forcing them evacuate city.

coat of arms of kingdom of thessalonica (1204–1224).

thessaloniki passed out of byzantine hands in 1204, when constantinople captured fourth crusade. thessaloniki , surrounding territory — kingdom of thessalonica — became largest fief of latin empire, covering of north , central greece. city given emperor baldwin rival boniface of montferrat, seized once more in 1224 theodore komnenos doukas, greek ruler of epirus, established empire of thessalonica. after battle of klokotnitsa in 1230, tsar ivan asen ii of bulgaria made rulers of thessaloniki vassals. city became subordinated empire of nicaea in 1242, when ruler, john komnenos doukas, lost imperial title, , annexed in 1246.

at time, despite intermittent invasion, thessaloniki sustained large population , flourishing commerce, resulting in intellectual , artistic endeavour can traced in numerous churches , frescoes of era , evidence of scholars teaching there, such thomas magististos, demetrios triklinios, nikephoros choumnos, constantine armenopoulos, , neilos kabasilas. examples of byzantine art survive in city, particularly mosaics in of historic churches, including in basilica of hagia sophia , church of st george.

in 14th century, however, city faced upheaval in form of zealot social movement (1342–1349), springing religious conflict between bishop gregory palamas, supported conservative principles, , monk barlaam. quickly, turned political anti-aristocratic movement during byzantine civil war of 1341–47, leading zealots ruling city 1342 until 1349.