Good Romans, Bad Romans: Political Loyalty and Roman Identity after the Fourth Crusade

This thesis examines the relationship between political loyalty to the basileus (emperor) and Roman ethnic identity during the Frankokratia, the period following the Fourth Crusade when Western invaders fragmented the Byzantine Empire. It argues that, contrary to what elite primary sources suggest, political loyalty to the basileus was not a concrete signifier of Roman ethnicity but was emphasized within elite circles for propagandistic purposes. The study focuses on the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, analyzing historical writings from Nikaia, Trebizond, and Epeiros. It highlights the complex nature of identity formation in the medieval Roman world, showing that ethnic and political identities were interconnected yet distinct. By exploring the varying definitions and perceptions of Romanness, the thesis provides insights into how identity was used to navigate and respond to political changes during this tumultuous period.