User:Kansas Bear/Kainourgion

Kainourgion, was a palantine hall built by Emperor Basil I from 867-886.

Palantine hall
Built from 867-886, it is considered one of Basil's most important constructions, and contained a dome at the eastern end, with sixteen columns supporting the main hall. Above each column, the wall extending up to the dome was covered in mosaics. Each column, of which there were sixteen, was made of different materials and their surfaces consisted of different articulations. It was built to function as an audience chamber and dining room, along with a private bedroom.

Vita Basilii
The Vita Basilii, "life of Basil", is somewhat obscure as to the design of the Kainourgion, mentioning it only as the "New Building". It was located somewhere between the Marcian's Galleries and the Chrysotriklinos on a terrace approximately 11 meters above sea level.

The dome of the Kainourgion depicted military victories by Emperor Basil and his generals, while the bedchamber contained floor mosaics of peacocks and eagles. The wall mosaic illustrated the imperial family along with an inscription giving thanks to god. The ceiling of the bedchamber depicted Basil as the new David. The entire bedchamber was a celebration of the Macedonian dynasty.

De Cerimoniis
According to the De Ceremoniis, the empress' bedchamber lay in close proximity to the Kainourgion. Emperor Constantine VII stated, that one wall of the Kainourgion could be found multicolored glass plaques, which were made to resemble shapes and colors of different flowers.

Architecture
Ćurčić has noted architectural similarities between the Cappella Palatina and the Kainourgion, while Kostenec theorizes that the same can be said of the Margarites and the basilica of St. Nikos of Sparta.