Military tribunes were originally infantry commanders. Under the early republic there were six to a legion; some were appointed by the consuls (chief executives) or military commanders, and others were elected by the people. Under the empire he military tribune was a preliminary part of a senatorial or an equestrian career and subject to the emperor’s nomination. Tribunes commanded bodyguard units and auxiliary cohorts.
Basil I, also called the Macedonian and the founder of the
Macedonian dynasty of Byzantium, the dynasty whose rule was the most prosperous
time in the Byzantium history, started the revival of art and he ordered the
mosaic in order to, in his words, replace the one the impostors had broken.
