alyoshasfaith: Zoe Palaiologina (Greek: Ζωή Παλαι&om
alyoshasfaith:Zoe Palaiologina (Greek: Ζωή Παλαιολογίνα), who later changed her name to Sophia Palaiologina (Russian: София Фоминична Палеолог)Niece of the last Byzantine emperor Constantine XI and second wife of Ivan III of Russia.She was also the grandmother of Ivan the Terrible.Over the years, Sophia gained great influence in her husband’s decision making. She was described as a “shrewd” character,and it was rumoured that and it was rumoured that her husband let himself be directed by her suggestions.It is thought that she introduced grand Byzantine ceremonies and meticulous court etiquette in the Kremlin, the idea of Moscow as a Third Rome evidently pleasing her. Sophia was apparently not obliged to follow the custom of traditional isolation which was expected of other Russian noble and royal women at the time; it is noted that she was not confined to the women’s quarters, but greeted foreign representatives from Europe similarly as the queens of Western Europe. -- source link
#history#sophia palaiologina#15th century#queens