Η συμβολή του Θεοδώρου Μετοχίτη στην πραγματοποίηση του συνοικεσίου ανάμεσα στην πριγκίπισσα Σιμωνίδα και τον ηγεμόνα της Σερβίας Μιλούτιν (1299)

Theodoros Metohitis’ Contribution to the Marriage Agreement between Princess Simonida and the Ruler of Serbia Milutin (1299). One of the most controversial issues in the international North-Slav relations with Byzantium, during its early and late course, was the comprehension of the state ideology and the function of the institutions in the implementation of its diplomacy. For this reason, we attempt to examine external policy's aspects that Byzantium implemented with its people and institutions in relation with the broader conterminous medieval world. More specifically, we try to examine how Byzantium implemented its "marriage policy", focusing on the case of Serb king Miloutin and his marriage to the young princess Simonis, daughter of Andronicus II. In this effort we aim at first to present Theodorus Metohitis personality and secondly to accent the part that was played by him, the person who was the inspirer of this endeavor and main negotiator on behalf of Byzantium, an eminent intellectual and political leader. The choice of this person and his initiatives, the criticality of this period, the people who participated, the prevailing circumstances, the search of the goal achievement of the parties involved and the particularities of the common religious ethics between the two hegemonic courts are some of the issues that our examination is dealing with.