Abstract
According to a historical work from 16th century known as The Tale of the Princes of Vladimir, the "Roman" Emperor Constantine IX Monomakhos suggested Vladimir II Monomakh of Kiev that he should be crowned like a tsar and sent him the imperial insignia. This historical fiction was compiled in order to explain Rurikids' ancient origin and their claim for the title of tsar.
Its beginning dates into the period when the very first coronation of a Muscovite ruler took place - in 1498 Grand Prince of Moscow Ivan III crowned his grandson Dmitry Ivanovich. What political background influenced Ivan III. to organize the first and only princely coronation of Russia and where did he find spiritual inspiration for the concrete execution of this ceremony?