Die Königin von Zypern Helena Palaiologina und ihre Rolle in der griechisch-lateinischen Synthese in Zypern im 15. Jahrhundert

Abstract This article analyzes the Byzantine princess Helena Palaiologina's role in the history of Cyprus. In 1442 she married the King of Cyprus John II Lusignan (Jean II de Lusignan) and became the Queen of Cyprus. During the Middle Ages, intelligent, ambitious, powerful women, actively interfering in political affairs, generally caused negative attitudes in society, and sometimes even open hatred and hostility. This is exactly what Queen of Cyprus Helena Palaiologina was, whom Latin authors portray exceptionally hostile to the Catholic Church and culture. This article points out the inappropriateness of such assessments and the bias of medieval authors. On the contrary, this article proves her understanding of European trends in culture and art as well as her connection to Italian humanist circles. Helena Palaiologina did much to synthesize the Greco-Byzantine and Italian humanist traditions in Cyprus.