Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 51 minutes ago
In 1966, Romily Jenkins proffered the idea that Michael III and Basil I may have been in a homosexual relationship and ever since it is an idea that has endured. However, what is this idea based on? How true is it? What is the evidence? Was Jenkins' theory accurate or hogwash?
Bibliography:
Primary Sources
Joseph Genesios, On the Reigns of the Emperors, Translated by A. Kaldellis (1998).
Theophanes Continuatus Books I-IV, Edition and Translation by M. Featherstone and J. S. Codoner (2015).
Life of Basil, Edition and Translation by I. Shevcenko (2011).
Symeon the Logothete, The Chronicle of the Logothete, Translated by S. Wahlgren (2019).
Scholarship
Jenkins, R. J. H. (1948) 'Constantine VII's Portrait of Michael III' in Studies on
Byzantine History in the 9th and 10th Centuries, 71-77.
Jenkins, R. J. H. (1966) Byzantium: The Imperial Centuries AD610-1071,
MART reprint, Toronto.
Tougher, S. ‘Michael III and Basil the Macedonian: Just Good Friends?’ in Desire and Denial in Byzantium, 149-158.
Email
easternromanhistory@gmail.com
Discord
discord.gg/wxVmswV
If you would like to support Eastern Roman History, I have a Patreon:
patreon.com/EasternRomanHistory
All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.
In 1966, Romily Jenkins proffered the idea that Michael III and Basil I may have been in a homosexual relationship and ever since it is an idea that has endured. However, what is this idea based on? How true is it? What is the evidence? Was Jenkins' theory accurate or hogwash?
Bibliography:
Primary Sources
Joseph Genesios, On the Reigns of the Emperors, Translated by A. Kaldellis (1998).
Theophanes Continuatus Books I-IV, Edition and Translation by M. Featherstone and J. S. Codoner (2015).
Life of Basil, Edition and Translation by I. Shevcenko (2011).
Symeon the Logothete, The Chronicle of the Logothete, Translated by S. Wahlgren (2019).
Scholarship
Jenkins, R. J. H. (1948) 'Constantine VII's Portrait of Michael III' in Studies on
Byzantine History in the 9th and 10th Centuries, 71-77.
Jenkins, R. J. H. (1966) Byzantium: The Imperial Centuries AD610-1071,
MART reprint, Toronto.
Tougher, S. ‘Michael III and Basil the Macedonian: Just Good Friends?’ in Desire and Denial in Byzantium, 149-158.
easternromanhistory@gmail.com
Discord
discord.gg/wxVmswV
If you would like to support Eastern Roman History, I have a Patreon:
patreon.com/EasternRomanHistory
All images used are for educational purposes, if I have used a piece of art and you would like me to credit you, please contact me and I shall do so.
