On the morning of June 1, 1465, Manuel's eldest son, Theodore, was dressing in a luxurious Loros robe in the Constantinople Grand Palace, attended by his wife and maids. Today, his father, Manuel III Gavras, Basileus of the Roman Empire, would officially crown him Co-Basileus, a decision made last year.
After the former Co-Basileus, Constantine XI Palaiologos, died of illness in late 1462, his father began planning to elevate him to this position. Although it was clear to everyone that Theodore was the designated heir of the Roman Empire, Manuel acted with extreme caution in this matter, rigorously evaluating his eldest son for two years. Only after confirming his son's ability to inherit his dynasty did he allow the Senate to approve the appointment late last year.
By the time Theodore finished recalling his father's heartfelt satisfaction and expectations during several private conversations half a year ago, he had unknowingly completed his change of clothes.
"There, Theodore, look at yourself now." Once her husband had come back to his senses, Margaret handed him a silver mirror, so he could properly observe his current appearance. Speaking of which, the craftsmanship of silver mirrors was only pioneered by domestic artisans under the guidance of his father, Manuel.
Theodore took the mirror and carefully examined himself in the splendid attire: handsome and spirited, radiant, with short black Roman-style hair covering his forehead, which made his dark brown pupils appear sharp and astute by contrast.
Theodore was very pleased with the majestic, monarchical appearance he now presented. Looking at his wife, who was also about to change into her formal dress, the future Co-Basileus quietly leaned over, recalling earlier events—
When he learned that his father had arranged his engagement to the King of the Frank and that he was to marry the Frank's princess, Theodore had expressed his strong dissatisfaction to his father, hoping to change the object of the alliance. In his eyes, marrying a Frank, who were routinely disparaged as barbarians and were also one of the culprits of the Calamity of 1204, was beneath him. Manuel, however, immediately gave him a severe scolding:
"Theodore, our family also came from the Black Sea coast and was influenced by Tauris Goth culture. Living in Constantinople for so long, do you really think of yourself as some 'True Purple Banner,' do you!?"
Although he didn't quite understand what his father meant by "True Purple Banner," the then-disgruntled and impetuous Theodore could only suppress his resentment, intending to find an opportunity after marriage to treat her coldly and thus find an excuse to annul the marriage. But after the marriage—
"It's so good." At this moment, Theodore lightly sniffed his wife's fair hand, unsure if he was referring to the fragrance of her perfume or the "goodness" of his eventual acceptance of the marriage alliance.
It must be said that Frank girls with blonde hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and petite figures were very much in line with Roman aesthetics, and it was precisely for this reason that he and she had two daughters by this year. This was true not only for Theodore but also for other ordinary Romans. In the spring of 1458, when they were married in the Hagia Sophia, there were no discordant noises, only praises for the beauty and handsomeness of the young couple. Of course, this was also related to his father's prior "management," which took a little effort to prepare the scene.
Recalling this, he could probably understand the feelings of Manuel I Komnenos when he married Maria of Antioch back then.
"Come, my Basilissa." As his wife had also changed into her formal dress, and before he was about to set off to receive his coronation from his father and the Senate, the young, handsome, and splendidly dressed Theodore smiled and extended his right hand to Margaret, gracefully inviting his wife to join him.
"By the grace of the Lord, my dear Basileus." Margaret, after a brief stunned, smiled slightly, took her husband's hand, and they proceeded together.
At noon on June 1, 1465, Manuel III's eldest son, Theodore, was officially crowned Co-Emperor of the Roman Empire in the Constantinople City Council, amidst the cheers of the Senate and the army, becoming Co-Basileus Theodore III Gavras.
And at this Senate meeting, after Theodore had stepped down from the platform, Manuel, who was still on the platform, unexpectedly received a special honor from the Senate. The Speaker of the Senate, his former Megaslogothetēs / Grand Secretary, John Anagnostes, who had recently retired from government, decided, on behalf of the Senate and the Roman people, to bestow a great title upon their Basileus—
"Restorer of the World."
This was a great honor that the Basilissa of Constantinople and the cabinet had specifically nominated and had the Senate quickly approve after Manuel led his troops from Epirus back to Thrace. In Roman history, besides him, only Emperor Aurelian, who resolved the "Crisis of the Third Century," had received this honor. In other words, at this moment in the Empire, Manuel was about to become a great man on par with the great emperors of the classical period who recovered lost territories, although in fact, he already was.
Yet, after everyone celebrated and cheered, Manuel, who had grown many white hairs, subtly declined this title,
"I regret to say that I am unworthy of the name 'Restorer of the World.' The territory of the Roman Empire today, not to mention compared to the eras of Emperor Aurelian or Emperor Theodosius, is not even as great as that of the first Emperor Manuel.
"For the restoration of the Roman world, I can only say that I have made a small, humble contribution, far from reaching the level of 'restoring the world.' Therefore, I absolutely cannot accept this title. Regarding this matter, I ask all Senators, in the name of the Holy Father, to discuss it further."
Faced with the Basileus's humble words, the Senators of the Senate were all greatly surprised. But since things had come to this, they could not give up halfway and leave the Emperor hanging, as if the matter had never happened.
So, after some discussion, the Senate decided to bestow upon him a title that, while not equivalent to "Restorer of the World," still symbolized honor and reverence—
"The restorer."
This was the new title chosen by the Senators for Manuel after the Senate's proposal was rejected. And this time, Manuel did not refuse again but chose to accept it gracefully.
"The restorer"—this would become the official title by which this emperor would be known to the world. And the name "The restorer" Manuel III Olubey Komnenos Gavras would henceforth be recorded in the annals of Rome until the very end of the Empire.