ИСТОРИЈСКA ПЕРЦЕПЦИЈA СУЛТАНА БАЈАЗИТА I У ДЕЛУ КОНСТАНТИНА ФИЛОЗОФА
THE HISTORICAL PERCEPTION OF SULTAN BAYEZID I IN THE HAGIOGRAPHY OF DESPOT STEFAN LAZAREVIĆ BY CONSTANTINE THE PHILOSOPHER

Summary/Abstract: Exploring the image of the “other” and recognizing various narrative layers in historical sources is one of the most important methodological approaches in the multifaceted reconstruction of the past. The perception and presentation of historical persons, events or phenomena belonging to the category of the “other” are often shaped by stereotypes and notions immanent to certain cultural settings. The hagiography of despot Stefan Lazarević written by Constantine the Philosopher in the fourth decade of the 15th century as a unique narrative source for the life and reign of the Serbian ruler epitomizes the trustworthy exemplar for the research into the above phenomena. Among many historical persons that Constantine the Philosopher portrayed, the image of sultan Bayezid I is probably one of the most vivid and controversial. The representations of Bayezid I could be comprehended as the literary vehicle for the contextualization and reflection on political, military, diplomatic and dynastic relations amid the Lazarević Principality and Ottoman Empire that defined the historical epoch between the Battle of Kosovo (1389) and the Battle of Ankara (1402). Contrary to the typical image of the “Turks”, usually perceived as conquerors, perpetrators, infidels and villains, Constantine the Philosopher depicted the character of sultan Bayezid I in various, occasionally ontrasted shades. By portraying Bayezid I, Constantine the Philosopher tried to act more as a historian than hagiographer. He presented the Ottoman sultan, the suzerain of Stefan Lazarević, in quite a balanced manner, showing both positive and negative aspects of his personality and political decisions. Sultan Bayezid I is described as a supreme sovereign with human face, feelings, conscience, but also attributes that show his dark, resolute, unrestricted and ruthless side of character. The reasons for stepping out of, at that time usual, stereotypical description of the “other” could be found in the nature and complexity of political and personal relations between Stefan Lazarević and sultan Bayezid I. Taking into consideration the accounts Constantine the Philosopher embedded into his literary work, it is obvious that Serbian-Ottoman relations established development of the Lazаrević Principality in the forthcoming years.

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