107-112 The Byzantine World 330-1204: Aspects of its History, Literature, Thought and Art

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Usually 12.5 points of first year Classics and Archaeology see Prerequisites

Semester

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Subject Description

This subject studies selected aspects of Byzantine history and culture from the foundation of Constantinople to its restoration after the fourth Crusade. It also examines the role of Byzantium in the transmission and transformation of classical culture from antiquity. Topics covered include: Constantine's city; the change from classical city to Byzantine village; Monasticism; holy men and saints; heresies; relations with Arabs, Slavs, Turks, Armenians and the West, especially during the Crusades; Iconoclasm 726-842; Byzantine literature and learning; the survival (and disappearance) of classical texts; epics of the eastern borders; aspects of early Christian art and architecture; the Byzantine church.

Assessment

Written work totalling 2000 words, and a 2-hour examination.

Prescribed Texts

• A Cameron, The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity 395-600. Routledge.
• C Mango, Byzantium, the Empire of New Rome. Weidenfield.
• M Psellus, Fourteen Byzantine Rulers. Penguin.
• A Comnena, The Alexiad. Penguin.