1472-1503 Tsarina of Russia.
She was the Byzantine-born wife of Ivan III, the first tsarina of Russia. She had an enormous influence on the tsar, bringing openness and Byzantine elements to the court.
Background
Lived: 1440-1503.
Zoe Palaiologina was the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantinus XII. She spent her childhood in Rome, where her name was changed to Sophia.
Reign
The pope offered her to marry Ivan III, whose first wife Maria of Tver had died. Ivan III saw an opportunity to strengthen his power with the dynastic ties to Byzantine Empire.
Sophia had an enormous influence on Ivan. She brought Byzantine imperial customs, symbols and traditions to the court, that were eagerly taken over by Ivan.
Upon her request, many world-famous Italian architects were invited to Moscow.
Sophia Palaiologina
1472-1503 Tsarina of Russia.
She was the Byzantine-born wife of Ivan III, the first tsarina of Russia. She had an enormous influence on the tsar, bringing openness and Byzantine elements to the court.
Background
Lived: 1440-1503.
Zoe Palaiologina was the niece of the last Byzantine Emperor Constantinus XII. She spent her childhood in Rome, where her name was changed to Sophia.
Reign
The pope offered her to marry Ivan III, whose first wife Maria of Tver had died. Ivan III saw an opportunity to strengthen his power with the dynastic ties to Byzantine Empire.
Sophia had an enormous influence on Ivan. She brought Byzantine imperial customs, symbols and traditions to the court, that were eagerly taken over by Ivan.
Upon her request, many world-famous Italian architects were invited to Moscow.
Vasily III