The Throne of Solomon and Byzantine Automata

Feel free to scroll in at this larger-than-lifesize automaton known as the “Peacock Clock”, created in the 1700s by James Cox and now in St. Petersburg, Russia. It’s as close as we can get to viewing a bejewelled-encrusted tree with moving birds that sang and astonished viewers at the Byzantine Court of Constantinople.

With all the wealth of the imperial treasures of Ancient Rome as their legacy and at their disposal, the Emperors of Byzantium stunned their audiences with grandiose displays of court ceremony and pageantry. Ambassadors were led down long hallways and numerous chambers on their way to the emperor. They saw hallways bedecked in fine silks and ornate tapestries, moved past chambers with elaborately wrought chandeliers. Marble floors were strewn with sweet-smelling herbs and rose pedals, and, after much pomp and display of obsequiousness towards the emperor, they would have entered the throne room.

Luidprand of Cremona, writing in 949 CE, noted: “in front of the imperial throne stood a certain tree of gilt bronze, whose branches, similarly guilt bronze, were filled with birds of different sizes, which emitted the songs of the different birds corresponding to their species.”

The throne itself, called “the Throne of Solomon,” was a wonder now lost to us, but it was even more tricked out. Apparently there were automaton lions and other animals associated with it that would roar and move about, as an organ played in the background.

I can’t help but imagine how spectacularly gaudy it would seem to us now, but attending such a Byzantine Court ceremony would be on my imaginary bucket list were time travel possible