Proskynesis

Proskynesis (/ˌprɒskɪˈniːsɪs/), also called proscynesis (/ˌprɒsɪˈniːsɪs/) or proskinesis (/ˌprɒskɪˈniːsɪs/; Greek: προσκύνησις proskýnēsis; Latin: adoratio), was a solemn gesture of respect towards gods and people in many societies.

The physical act ranged from full-fledged prostration or alternatively genuflection, a bow, or a simple greeting that concretized the relative positions of performer and beneficiary within a hierarchical order (τάξις táxis).

In his Anabasis (3.2.13), Xenophon cites the Greek refusal to perform proskynesis as a sign of their freedom distinguishing them from the Persians: "As tokens of these victories [over Xerxes's invasion] we may, indeed, still behold the trophies, but the strongest witness to them is the freedom of the states in which you were born and bred; for to no human creature do you pay homage as master, but to the gods alone [οὐδένα γὰρ ἄνθρωπον δεσπότην ἀλλὰ τοὺς θεοὺς προσκυνεῖτε]."

The Persian custom may have led some Greeks to believe that they worshipped their king as a god, the only person who received proskynesis from everyone, and other misinterpretations caused cultural conflicts.

Contrary to the suggestions of Greek authors, Near Eastern sources leave no doubt that proskynȇsis did not have the character of a religious gesture, but was an element of the court ceremony.

[7] The political reason for this change was to elevate the role of the emperor from "first citizen" to an otherworldly ruler, remote from his subjects, thus reducing the likelihood of successful revolt, which had plagued the Empire during the preceding 50 years.

The audience granted to native or foreign delegations included multiple series of proskynesis at points marked by porphyry disks (omphalia) set in the floor.

Justinian I and Theodora both insisted on an extreme form of proskynesis, even from members of the Roman Senate,[10] and they were attacked for it by Procopius in his Secret History.

[16] In Christian theology, proskynesis denotes that simple veneration which is also permitted to saints, icons, etc., as opposed to latreia (worship), which is due only to triune God.