Byzantine and Russian Imperial Crest Pendant (14kt Gold)

DescriptionSolid 14kt GoldDimensions: 5/8″ wide by 3/4″ highIn 395 AD St. Theodosius the Great established the double-headed eagle as the Imperial Crest of the Roman Empire ruled from two capitals, Rome in the West and Constantinople in the East. When Byzantium was conquered by the Turks in 1453, Moscow became the “third Rome” and successor to the Byzantine emperors. In 1472 Byzantine double headed eagle became the royal coat of arms in Russia and in 1533 John the fourth became the first Tsar or “Ceasar” of all Russia and Moscow. This tradition prevailed until the Bolshevik revolution in 1918 and the martyrdom of Tsar Nicholas the second, the last of the Romanovs.