AI and History: How does Google Gemini depict Upper Class Byzantine Women?

In period dramas in the West, upper class women tend to get all the attention when it comes to fashion. They have the best dresses that get attention of contemporary women. However, with the rise of generative AI, will how we view clothing in the past change?

The image above is based on a prompt: Create image of a Senator’s Daughters in Byzantine Empire in 1050 AD era.

At first glance, I thought this was pretty accurate. I have looked at many AI images of Byzantine upper class clothing in the past and it was pretty competent looking in here. However, I have grown to be skeptical of any of sort of AI image for eras before photography. There is an ornate nature to such images that tends to put too much artifice.

We are aware that the Byzantines had silk thanks to the efforts of Nestorian monks in China under Emperor Justinian. I am assuming what Google Gemini is showing here is Silk use among the upper classes.

In our age, these women would probably scoff at our use of polyester. Silk is tangible and has a real value in comparison.

This is what Google Gemini says about the realism of the image that it made:

That’s a fascinating image! The clothing and overall setting attempt to capture the grandeur of the Byzantine Empire around the mid-11th century (1050 AD).

Here is a breakdown of the realism of the clothes for the daughter of a high-ranking official (a Senator or Synkletikos):

🧵 Overall Realism: Moderately High

The image does a good job of reflecting the stylistic elements and luxury of the period for the elite.

Key Realistic Elements:

Fabric and Color: The use of deep purple (imperial color, porphyra) and rich blue suggests extreme wealth and status, appropriate for a Senator’s family. Silk was the primary luxury fabric, often imported or produced in imperial workshops.
Gold Embroidery: The extensive gold embroidery (polystavrion or chrysokentema) and ornamentation on the hems and sleeves are highly realistic for high-status Byzantine garments.
Layering (The Tunic/Stola): Byzantine clothing involved layering. The basic garment was a long tunic or stola. The image shows the outer garment with voluminous sleeves over an inner garment (the white layer on the younger girl).
Sleeve Shape: The wide, often flaring, and heavily decorated sleeves are characteristic of high-status Byzantine formal wear, especially for women.
Headwear and Jewelry: The circlets/diadems are reminiscent of the jeweled crowns and headdresses worn by noblewomen. Veils (often sheer, as shown) were common, especially outside.
Setting: The architectural elements, including the marble floors, columns, and the mosaic of Christ, strongly evoke a wealthy Byzantine palace or mansion.

Less Realistic/Stylized Elements:

The Fit and Cut: While the silhouette is correct (long, flowing), the clothes in the image look very tailored and smooth, almost like modern couture adaptations. Byzantine court clothing, while elegant, often had a somewhat boxier, more symmetrical, and heavier drape.
Modern Sensibility: The faces and hairstyles (especially the tight braids) feel slightly anachronistic, leaning toward a modern “fantasy” aesthetic that aims for dramatic beauty. Byzantine women’s formal hair often involved more elaborate updos or simply long, straight hair under a veil.
Simplicity of the Veil: While the sheer veil is correct, elite Byzantine women often wore a heavier, more structured maphorion or a highly decorated headdress for courtly or public occasions, though a simple veil might be for more private settings.

In summary, the image provides a beautiful and generally accurate impression of the wealth and style of a high-ranking Byzantine family in 1050 AD, capturing the essential colors, fabrics, and ornamental details.

The main emphasis I want to put on here is the modern sensibility of the gowns according to Google Gemini’s analysis here.

The main issue with many AI images of historical eras is that they tend to put that Hollywood glaze on the creations. Hollywood has had a huge impact on the image and many historical eras, even though not that mainstream tend to be collected by LLMs and that is where most of the inspiration for such images are coming from in here.

Change the Prompt?

What if we change Google Gemini’s prompt to something realistic.

I simply added the modifiers of ultra-realistic and it still gave me the same Hollywood-style image of these upper class women.

Now, this is probably to be expected for the Byzantine Empire in this era.

The Byzantine Empire under Constantine IX was in a state of slight expansion (annexation of Ani) and also of entrenchment. The wealthy were growing in power and the expansion of the estates reflect that. This was the golden age of the rich in the Byzantine Empire as they began to involve themselves in Christian integration of Classical philosophy and also contributed much to the diplomacy which helped the state survive many crises.

AI Imagery is still a tricky issue. How accurate can it be?

However, one has to remember how generative AI is still developing quickly. It’s capabilities still impressive me now.