The Quest for Roman Emperors’ Remains: An In-depth Exploration

Throughout history, archaeologists and historians have sought to uncover the physical remains of the Roman Emperors. This quest, however, has been fraught with numerous challenges. From early burial practices to the destruction and loss of many remains, the search has been difficult and often fruitless. This article delves deep into the history and current state of this quest.

Early Roman Burial Practices and Cremation

The burial customs of Roman Emperors are crucial to understanding the challenges in discovering their remains. The Romans initially practiced inhumation, burying their dead in tombs. Over time, cremation became the preferred method, especially for the aristocracy and nobility, as a means of purification after death. Roman Emperors, following this trend, were typically cremated and their ashes were stored in mausoleums.

For instance, the Mausoleum of Augustus, built to house the ashes of Emperor Augustus and other Julio-Claudian Emperors, is a testament to this practice. Similarly, Emperor Hadrian constructed his own mausoleum, the Pantheon in Rome, to house his own ashes. However, these mausoleums faced destruction over time, with the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD causing significant damage to many of these structures and their contents.

Loss and Destruction of Remains

The destruction of Roman Emperor mausoleums and the subsequent scattering of their ashes marked a significant blow to the possibility of locating their remains. In the 200 ADs, the spread of Christianity led to a change in practices, promoting inhumation over cremation. By this period, key structures such as the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, which once housed the bodies of Roman Emperors and relics of the apostles, were subjected to destruction and looting.

When Constantinople fell to the crusaders during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 AD, the Church of the Holy Apostles was violated, its contents damaged, and many of the Roman Emperors' remains desecrated. Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Church was destroyed, and the remains of the Emperors were destroyed, smashed, or burned.

Monastic Interments and Ossuaries

While the mausoleums and public tombs were ravaged, some Roman Emperors might have been buried in private tombs, particularly if they became monks. Monks who chose to live in monasteries often had their remains preserved and held in ossuaries within these institutions. However, mixing these remains with those of other monks makes it difficult to trace a specific Emperor. Notably, the Monastery of Panagia Varnakova in Greece provides an interesting example. Founded by Emperor Michael VII Doukas, this monastery has tombs of the Komnene Despots, discovered by archaeologist Anastasios Orlandos in 1919.

The Remarkable Case of Empress Theodora

One significant exception to the general rule of lost or destroyed remains is that of Empress Theodora, wife of Emperor Theophilos in the 9th century AD. Despite initial reports of complete destruction, recent scholarship suggests that some of her remains, particularly her incorrupt relics, may still exist. Theodora was a regent Empress who played a pivotal role in ending the iconoclast conflict in the Byzantine Empire. After her death, her body was transferred to the island of Corfu, where a shrine still houses her incorrupt relics today.

Despite these exceptions, the historical records clearly suggest that most physical remains of Roman Emperors have been lost to time and have not been adequately preserved for modern discovery. The remains of Roman Emperors serve as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between historical events, religious practices, and the preservation of artifacts.