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Fatimids: An Ismaili Shi’ite Muslim dynasty
(909–1171) of independent rulers, who first attained power
at Ifriqiya in 909 and later in Egypt in 969, where they founded
Cairo (al-Qahira, "the Victorious"). The Fatimids
remained in power until 1171, when Saladin proclaimed himself
Sultan of Egypt, initiating the period of Ayyudid rule. Under
the caliphate of al-Aziz (975–996) the Fatimids undertook
a number of successful military campaigns; the period witnessed
the flourishing of the arts and a cosmopolitan atmosphere in
which the rights of Sunnis, Jews and Coptic Christians were
respected. The caliphate of al-Hakim (996–1021) witnessed
the reversal of this trend, and fierce persecutions of Sunni
Muslims, Jews and Copts took place between 1003–1013 C.E.
This period witnessed an enormous reduction in the numbers of
Coptic Christians through coercive conversion, although many
were able to return to it after the persecutions were lifted.
The Fatimids and the Byzantines clashed in a number of arenas,
which resulted in a number of treaties in which the Byzantines
were required to pay tribute. Although the Byzantines failed
to prevent Fatimid expansion into Syria, and diplomatic relations
ceased between 1015/16–1032 after al-Hakim ordered the
destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem,
the Byzantines under Nikephoros II Phocas did manage to wrest
Crete from Arab rule in 961. Diplomatic relations were maintained
between the Byzantines and the Fatimids until the Dynasty collapsed
in 1171.
filigree: elaborate openwork patterns created by interlaced
precious metal threads welded together and often bearing granulation.
The technique is usually used for jewelry or for smaller-scale
objects such as thringia, see cat (150).
fleuron (Fr., jewel): decorative element of tri-lobed shape,
representing a stylized flower, reminiscent of the fleur-de-lys.
Florence/Ferrara, Council of: held between
1438–1439, first at Ferrara and later at Florence; the
council was presided over by Pope Eugenius IV, the Byzantine
Emperor John VIII and the Ecumenical Patriarch Joseph. This
synod represented the final attempt before the collapse of the
Byzantine State, aimed at healing the division between the Orthodox
and Roman Catholic Churches initiated in 1054. Seemingly irreconcilable
issues such as the Primacy of the Pope, the procession of the
Holy Spirit and the use of unleavened bread or azymes for the
Latin Mass were among the differences that were hotly debated.
The motivations for the Council were complicated, and although
ultimately the Orthodox side capitulated on many matters, the
Union was a de facto failure in Orthodox lands, due to its grassroots
unpopularity. Among the Orthodox prelates present were Metropolitan
Isidore of Kiev, Metropolitan Bessarion on Nicaea, the future
first Post-Byzantine Ecumenical Patriarch Gennadios II Scholarios,
and Metropolitan Mark Eugenikos of Ephesus, who was the only
member who refused to sign the document.
forma a la latina (It., "in the Latin (western) style"):
term utilized in invoices for Cretan icons painted in the "Western"
or "Latin style," see cat (292, 295).
forma greca (It., "in the Greek style"): term utilized
in invoices for Cretan icons painted in traditional or "in
Greek style," (see cat 121).
Franciscan Order: Order of Friars Minor or Minorites, mendicant
order founded in 1209 by Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). The
Franciscans were involved in missionary work within the Middle
East and were influential at court of the Latin Empire, based
at Constantinople. The Franciscans left evidence of their stay
in the capital with a fresco program originally found at Kalenderhane,
probably the church of the Kyriotissa (see cat 274). The Franciscans
served as go-betweens between the Papacy and the Byzantine Court,
as well as the Armenian Cilician Kingdom, where they founded
a house at Sis by 1289. The order was expelled from Constantinople
in 1307; however, they maintained a presence across the Golden
Horn at Pera.
fresco: a painting technique which utilizes the use of pigment
upon wet plaster. Fresco is one of the most enduring of painting
techniques, as the pigment bonds with the plaster itself. Fresco
painting was significantly less-expensive and time-consuming
than mosaic parietal decoration.
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