Basilio I y su parénesis al “Príncipe”, una fuente retórica para el estudio de la teoría política bizantina.

Abstract

La modesta historia personal de Basilio I contrasta con la grandeza de su gobierno desde el trono de Constantinopla. Sus aciertos en materia de política exterior e interior y su preocupación por la formación de sus hijos, sientan las bases para la consolidación de la dinastía Macedónica y fortalecen la posición del imperio en el concierto internacional. El discurso admonitorio dedicado a su heredero León, inserto en la tradición retórica de los “Espejos de Príncipe”, constituye una de las principales fuentes para el estudio de la teoría política de la época y de la historia bizantina en general. La relación del ascenso al trono y la gestión gubernamental de Basilio I, el problema de la autoría de su discurso parenético y las líneas principales de su teoría política, conforman los temas principales expuestos en el presente artículo. Palabras clave Basilio I - Focio - El Príncipe - Espejos de Príncipe - teoría política bizantina.

The modest personal history of Basil I offers a contrast with the greatness of his government from the throne of Constantinople. An adequate foreign and internal policy and his concern for the upbringing of his children established the foundations for the consolidation of the Macedonian dynasty and strengthened the imperial position in the international sphere. The admonition speech dedicated to his heir, Leon, inserted in the rhetorical tradition of the “Mirrors for Princes” is one of the main sources for the study of political theory in that period and of byzantine history in general. The description of his arrival to the throne and the government of Basil I, the problem of authorship of his parenethical speech and the main streams of his political theory are the principal themes presented in this article. Keywords Basil I - Photios - The Prince - Mirrors for Princes - byzantine political theory

The modest personal history of Basil I offers a contrast with the greatness of his government from the throne of Constantinople. An adequate foreign and internal policy and his concern for the upbringing of his children established the foundations for the consolidation of the Macedonian dynasty and strengthened the imperial position in the international sphere. The admonition speech dedicated to his heir, Leon, inserted in the rhetorical tradition of the “Mirrors for Princes” is one of the main sources for the study of political theory in that period and of byzantine history in general. The description of his arrival to the throne and the government of Basil I, the problem of authorship of his parenethical speech and the main streams of his political theory are the principal themes presented in this article.