In 457, the first Byzantine emperor was crowned by a religious leader
The coronation of Leo I in 457 marked a revolutionary shift in Western history, as he became the first Roman or Byzantine ruler to have his crown placed by a religious leader.
On February 7, 457, Leo I was crowned Byzantine emperor by the Patriarch of Constantinople. Before this moment, Roman leaders typically received their authority from the military or the Senate. By involving a high-ranking clergyman, Leo established a new precedent that suggested imperial power was granted by divine will rather than just political might.
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