Introduction to Byzantine Civilization

The module introduces students to the history and culture of the Medieval Eastern Roman Empire from 330 to 1453: the Byzantine Empire. Byzantium, its history, and its culture constitute the other half of the medieval European world, encompassing not only the Greek-speaking world but also the entire Eastern part of the Mediterranean area (from the Balkans to Persia). The Byzantine Empire, lasting from late antiquity to the beginning of the modern era, witnessed, and at times played a leading role in, the shift and geographical displacement of economic and political powers from the West (the Roman Empire) to the East and back again (the resurgence of Western powers from the Crusades onwards). It was the primary actor in the process of safeguarding and reinterpreting classical culture (literature, legislation, philosophy, history, etc.), providing the intellectual environment that fostered the merging and cross-fertilization of Greek philosophy and Christian doctrine. Byzantium was not merely a bridge; it embodied both Eastern and Western, Classical and Medieval, Southern and Northern influences, drawing from both Greek and Latin traditions. The study of its complex civilization assists students in shifting perspectives, broadening their focus, and thinking outside the box.

A structured learning path, centered around readings from primary sources in English translation, will lead students through the history, literature, and civilization of the Byzantine millennium. This approach enables them to grasp not only the principal characteristics of this medieval empire but also to appreciate the Greek and Roman classical heritage that shaped Byzantine culture.

· Introduction to Byzantium: Geography, Chronology, and Sources
· The Foundations of Byzantine Society: Roman and Greek Heritage
· Imperial Propaganda: From Constantine to Justinian
· Byzantine Politics: Emperors, Bureaucracy, and Court Life
· Byzantine Christianity: Religious Controversies and Hagiography
· The World of Byzantine Intellectuals: Poets, Novelists, Philosophers, Historians, and Scientists
· Byzantium and the Islamic World: Conflict and Interaction
· Byzantium and Western Europe: Relations and Influence
· The Fall of Constantinople and the Byzantine Legacy
· Byzantium in Contemporary Literature