Translatio imperii, Latin for "transfer of rule", is a concept invented in the Middle Ages for describing history as a linear development: a succession of transfers of power from one supreme ruler (emperor) to the next. Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... The title page to The Historians History Of The World. ... The word linear comes from the Latin word linearis, which means created by lines. ... An emperor is a (male) monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. ...

Jacques Le Goff^[1] describes the "translatio imperii" concept as typical for the Middle Ages for several reasons: the idea of linearity of time and history was typical for the Middle Ages; the "translatio imperii" idea typically also neglected simultaneous developments in other parts of the world (of no importance to medieval Europeans); the "translatio imperii" idea didn't separate divine history from the history of worldly power: medieval Europeans considered divine (supernatural) and material things as part of the same continuum, which was their "reality". Also the causality of one reign necessarily leading to its successor was often detailed by the medieval chroniclers, and is seen as a typical medieval approach. A French medievalist, representative of the Annales School of historiography. ...

Not surprisingly, each medieval author described the "translatio imperii" as a succession leaving the supreme power in the hands of the monarch ruling the region of the author's provenance:

• Otto of Freising (living in German region): Rome → Byzantium → Franks → Longobards → Germans (=Holy Roman Empire);
• Chrétien de Troyes (living in medieval France): Greece → Rome → France^[2]
• Richard de Bury (England, 14th century): "Athens" (Greece) → Rome → "Paris" (France) → Great Britain

Otto of Freising Otto of Freising Otto von Freising {Otto Frisingensis) (c. ... Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... Byzantium (Greek: Βυζάντιον) was an ancient Greek city, which, according to legend, was founded by Greek colonists from Megara in 667 BC and named after their king Byzas or Byzantas (Βύζας or Βύζαντας in Greek). ... This article is about the Frankish people and society. ... The Lombards (Latin Langobardi, from which the alternative name Longobards found in older English texts), were a Germanic people originally from Scandinavia that entered the late Roman Empire. ... The extent of the Holy Roman Empire in c. ... Chrétien de Troyes wrote in Champagne, France, during the last half of the twelfth century. ... Richard Aungerville (or Aungervyle) (January 24, 1287 - April 14, 1345), commonly known as Richard de Bury, was an English writer and bishop, He was born near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, the son of Sir Richard Aungervyle, who was descended from one of William the Conquerors men. ...

A detailed translatio imperii succession (ending in Russia)

Start: Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was founded in 27 BC by Augustus Caesar. In 395, at the death of the Emperor Theodosius I, the empire was split in half with each governed by a co-emperor ruling in Rome (actually in Milan, from 402 Ravenna) and Constantinople (New Rome). The Western half fell to barbarian armies in 476. The eastern half, now known as the Byzantine Empire, continued to call itself the Roman empire despite only holding Rome intermittently until 751 and not at all in the period following. The Byzantine emperors and state claimed to be the successor of the Roman empire. Motto Senatus Populusque Romanus (SPQR) The Roman Empire at its greatest extent. ... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 70s BC 60s BC 50s BC 40s BC 30s BC - 20s BC - 10s BC 0s 10s 20s 30s Years: 32 BC 31 BC 30 BC 29 BC 28 BC 27 BC 26 BC 25 BC 24 BC 23 BC 22... Augustus Caesar Caesar Augustus (Latin: IMP·CAESAR·DIVI·F·AVGVSTVS)¹ (23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), known earlier in his life as Gaius Octavius or Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, was the first Roman Emperor and is traditionally considered the greatest. ... Events After the death of emperor Theodosius I, the Roman Empire is divided in an eastern and a western half. ... An engraving depicting what Theodosius may have looked like, ca. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... This article is about the city in Italy. ... Events Stilicho recalls troops from the frontiers of the Roman Empire to defend Italy against the Visigoths. ... Ravenna is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. ... Map of Constantinople. ... New Rome has been used for: It was a common name applied to Constantinople, the city founded by emperor Constantine I the Great in 324 (known as Byzantium before that date; renamed Istanbul in modern times). ... Events August - The usurper Basiliscus is deposed and Zeno is restored as Eastern Roman Emperor. ... It has been suggested that Eastern Roman Empire be merged into this article or section. ... Events Pippin the Short is elected as king of the Franks by the Frankish nobility, marking the end of the Merovingian and beginning of the Carolingian dynasty. ...

Holy Roman Empire

In 800, the pope crowned Charlemagne Roman Emperor. This set off a constitutional crisis as the Byzantines did not recognize the coronation. In order to settle the dispute, Byzantine Empress Irene offered to marry Charlemagne. Though she was unable to marry him after being overthrown and exiled, the offer itself was considered to be translatio imperii. The imperium supposedly passed to Charlemagne's successors and eventually landed in the Holy Roman Empire. This explains the Roman component of the Empire's name. The Holy Roman Emperors thus thought of themselves as being in direct succession of the ancient Roman Augusti and were bolstered in their claim, specifically against the Kings of France who might also claim lineage from Charlemagne, by papal crownings. After 1508, Holy Roman Emperors no longer were crowned by the pope and were thus technically emperors-elect. In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was formally dissolved. Events December 25, Rome, coronation of Charles the Great (Charlemagne) as emperor by Pope Leo III. Celtic monks begin work on the Book of Kells on the Island of Iona. ... A portrait of Charlemagne by Albrecht Dürer that was painted several centuries after Charlemagnes death. ... This solidus struck under Irene reports the legend bASILISSH, Basilissa. ... The extent of the Holy Roman Empire in c. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ... For other uses, see Augustus (disambiguation). ... Coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile at Reims in 1223; a miniature from the Grandes Chroniques de France, painted in the 1450s, kept at the National Library of France See also List of Queens and Empresses of France The monarchs of France ruled, first as kings and later... The following list of German Kings and Emperors is one of several Wikipedia lists of incumbents. ...

Fourth Crusade

In 1204, the Fourth Crusade split the Byzantine Empire into four states that claimed Roman imperium: the Latin Empire of Constantinople, the Despotate of Epirus, the Empire of Trebizond, and the Empire of Nicaea. The Nicaeans forced Epirus to submit and crushed the Latins. After retaking Constantinople, the Nicaeans restored the Byzantine Empire but Trebizond remained independent and held onto their claim of the Roman imperial throne. // Events February - Byzantine emperor Alexius IV is overthrown in a revolution, and Alexius V is proclaimed emperor. ... The Entry of the Crusaders into Constantinople (Eugène Delacroix, 1840). ... The knights of the Fourth Crusade set up a Crusader kingdom known as the Latin Empire or Romania based on Constantinople after sacking the city in 1204. ... The Despotate of Epirus was one of the medieval Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire, founded in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. ... The Empire of Trebizond and other states carved from the Byzantine Empire, as they were in 1265 (William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911) The Empire of Trebizond (Greek: Βασίλειον τῆς Τραπεζούντας) was a Byzantine Greek successor state of the Byzantine Empire founded in 1204 as a result of the capture of Constantinople by... The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the states founded by refugees from the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople was conquered during the Fourth Crusade. ... It has been suggested that Eastern Roman Empire be merged into this article or section. ...

• Empire of Nicaea (1204–1261) — The legitimate Byzantine throne in exile. Restored the Byzantine Empire in 1261. The Nicaean line would rule until 1453.
• Latin Empire of Constantinople (1204-1261) — Crusader state, pretenders abandoned imperial title in 1383 while in exile.
• Despotate of Epirus (1204–1359) — Second despot claimed title 1227–1230. Became vassal of Nicaea in 1248.
• Empire of Trebizond (1204–1461) — Splinter state that claimed imperium. Conquered by Ottomans in 1461.

The Empire of Nicaea was the largest of the states founded by refugees from the Byzantine Empire after Constantinople was conquered during the Fourth Crusade. ... The knights of the Fourth Crusade set up a Crusader kingdom known as the Latin Empire or Romania based on Constantinople after sacking the city in 1204. ... The Despotate of Epirus was one of the medieval Greek successor states of the Byzantine Empire, founded in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. ... The Empire of Trebizond and other states carved from the Byzantine Empire, as they were in 1265 (William R. Shepherd, Historical Atlas, 1911) The Empire of Trebizond (Greek: Βασίλειον τῆς Τραπεζούντας) was a Byzantine Greek successor state of the Byzantine Empire founded in 1204 as a result of the capture of Constantinople by...

Ottoman Empire

In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered the Byzantine Empire. Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II took the title of Roman Emperor. He extinguished Trebizond in 1461. The Ottoman monarchy was abolished in 1922. April 2 - Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople (Ä°stanbul). ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–65) Edirne (1365–1453) Constantinople (Ä°stanbul, 1453–1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 Osman I  - 1918–22 Mehmed VI... It has been suggested that Eastern Roman Empire be merged into this article or section. ... Mehmed II (Ottoman Turkish: محمد ثانى , Turkish: ), (also known as el-Fatih (الفاتح), the Conqueror, in Ottoman Turkish, or, in modern Turkish, Fatih Sultan Mehmet) (March 30, 1432 – May 3, 1481) was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to 1446, and later from 1451 to 1481. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ...

Third Rome

In 1472, Sophia Paleologue, niece of the last Byzantine emperor, married Ivan III, Grand Duke of Moscow. Through this link, Russia claimed to be the Third Rome. The Russian monarchy was overthown in 1917. February 20 - Orkney and Shetland are returned by Norway to Scotland, due to a defaulted dowry payment Possible discovery of Bacalao (possibly Newfoundland, North America) by João Vaz Corte-Real. ... Zoe Palaiologina (Greek Ζωή Παλαιολόγου, Russian Софья Фоминична Палеолог, around 1455 - April 7, 1503), Grand Duchess of Moscow, was a niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI and second wife of Ivan III of Russia. ... Albus rex Ivan III Ivan III Vasilevich (Иван III Васильевич) (January 22, 1440 - October 27, 1505), also known as Ivan the Great, was a grand duke of Muscovy who first adopted a more pretentious title of the grand... Coat of arms of the last imperial dynasty of the Eastern Roman Empire. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

Miscellaneous

Napoleon I claimed himself as a successor to the Romans and Charlemagne (as opposed to the French kings of the ancien regime). His empire was an attempt to mimic the Roman Empire and he was responsible for forcing the Holy Roman Empire to dissolve with the Treaty of Lunéville. For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... Ancien R gime means Old Regime or Old Order in French; in English, the term refers primarily to the social and political system established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties, and secondarily to any regime which shares the formers defining features: a feudal system under the control... The Treaty of Lunéville was signed on February 9, 1801 between the French Republic and the Holy Roman Empire by Joseph Bonaparte and Louis, Count Cobentzel, respectively. ...

With the decline of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries, some groups had encouraged the recreation of the ancient Roman Empire. The most serious attempt was Mussolini's New Roman Empire which rested its legitimacy on geography and imitation rather than translatio imperii. Benito Mussolini created a fascist state through the use of propaganda, total control of the media and disassembly of the working democratic government. ... The New Roman Empire (Italian: Nuovo Impero Romano, Latin: Novum Imperium Romanum) was the new state created by Benito Mussolini to describe the Italian colonial empire, especially following Italys 1935-36 conquest of Abyssinia. ...

Some 21st century American politicians, bloggers, pundits, talk radio and religious leaders believe that the United States is the rightful heir to both Latin and Greek traditions of Rome. America was discovered and established between the Fall of Constantinople and the Treaty of Lunéville. The Puritan colonists saw America as the "Promised land" and a special place to lead to world, which they thought was confirmed upon learning that the Holy Roman Empire was destroyed. American Federal symbols and architecture emphasize a Greco-Roman and also Egyptian basis, which was part of the Neoclassical era. In Anglosphere circles, the emphasis is rather on the United Kingdom playing Athens and the US playing Rome. Other variations on the theme, include America as a bastion for Protestantism in light of Fundamentalist and Restorationist notions that the Greek and Latin churches were dismal failures. This ideology is considered part of American conservatism and oft derided by opponents as "dead white males" culture. The 21st century is the present century of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World consisting of the continents of North America[1], Central America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Combatants Byzantine Empire Ottoman Empire Commanders Constantine XI† Loukas Notaras Giovanni Giustiniani†[1] Mehmed II Strength 7,000[2] 80,000[1]-200,000[1][3] Casualties 4,000 dead[4] 10,000 civilian dead[5][6] - The Fall of Constantinople refers to the capture of the Byzantine capital by... The Treaty of Lunéville was signed on February 9, 1801 between the French Republic and the Holy Roman Empire by Joseph Bonaparte and Louis, Count Cobentzel, respectively. ... For the record label, see Puritan Records. ... According to the Bible, the Land of Israel (Hebrew: Eretz Yisrael) was promised to the descendants of Hebrew patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by God, making it the Promised land. ... City upon a hill is phrase often used to refer to John Winthrops famous sermon, A Model of Christian Charity,, of 1630, based on the one of the metaphors of Salt and Light in the Sermon on the Mount (You are the light of the world. ... In modern Olympic and amateur wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling is a particular style and variation. ... Neoclassicism (sometimes rendered as Neo-Classicism or Neo-classicism) is the name given to quite distinct movements in the visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture. ... Definitions of the Anglosphere vary: one definition (depicted, all in blue) includes two node countries – the United Kingdom and the United States – and five outliers: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. ... Athens (Greek: Αθήνα - Athína) is the largest city and capital of Greece, located in the Attica periphery of central Greece. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Protestantism encompasses the forms... American conservatism is a constellation of political ideologies within the United States under the blanket heading of conservative. ... Dead white males or Dead White European Males (DWEM) is a derisive term referring to a tradition of thought and pedagogy, like the Great Books focus of educational essentialism and Educational perennialism, which is believed to stress the importance and contributions of individual European males from the past, while largely...

References

1. ^ Le Goff, Jacques. La civilisation de l'Occident médieval. Paris. 1964; English translation (1988): Medieval Civilization, ISBN 0-631-17566-0 – "translatio imperii" is discussed in Part II, Chapter VI, section on "Time, eternity and history".
2. ^ De Troyes, Chrétien. Cligès. Circa 1176.