Byzantinism

Byzantine is a derogatory term for " fawning " submission and devotion as well as for the introduction of particularly demanding and sophisticated rituals aimed at the external stress of not existing as rank differences.

Historical Background

The labeling such behavior as " byzantine " alluded to the completely unacceptable from of modern, Western European perspective, court ceremonial, which had developed in the Byzantine Empire to the person of the Byzantine Emperor. These included for example the floating mechanical arrangements in the amount throne, the legions of white-robed eunuchs and the use of proskynesis, so the commandment to throw themselves flat on the ground when approaching the sacred person of the Emperor.

The Opel in Constantinople over the centuries resulting structure linked to former glory Caesar and aimed at complete submission and worship court ceremonial was almost like copied to the absolutist courts of Europe and also in the court of the Ottoman Sultan in later times, maybe even surpassed occasionally. Even more, after the conquest of absolutism Enlightenment and the French Revolution, any attempt of the remaining monarchs of Europe to let the time past of God's grace, outwardly at least resurgence, disapproved of bourgeois forces.

The accusation of Byzantinism was charged, inter alia, against Napoleon I and Wilhelm II.

Wilhelm Busch used the term time based on the Wilhelmine Germany: "These anniversaries and memorials economy is formally repulsive We are stuck in a downright disgusting Byzantinism However, it is difficult for the individual to escape this dizziness. .. "