Twilight of the Gods

Between Byzantium and Jerusalem? The principality of Antioch, Renaud of Châtillon, and the penance of Mamistra in 1158

“…Renaud's penance evidently impressed Manuel, for Paul Magdalino has noted that he later demanded a similar abasement from a rebellious Serbian ruler, while one Greek poet boasted that the prince had 'curled up like a small puppy [at Manuel 's] red-slippered feet'. 27 Nevertheless, while Byzantine Christians would not have been unaware of public displays of penance, for example those included in the Bible, or that imposed on Emperor Theodosius (r. 347-95) by St Ambrose in the fourth century, Renaud's ritual did not draw on any discernible Greek political traditions. 28 Indeed, such an act had not been forced on Raymond of Poitiers during his visit to Constantinople in 1145, although he did show humility by praying at John II Komnenos' tomb.…”