04360 - Byzantine History

Learning outcomes

The course aims at studying the cultural heritage of the Byzantine empire. This legacy helps students to understand in a more correct way the Italian and Mediterranean history of  the Middle Ages. At the end of  the course they must know the main notions of the discipline and they must be aware of the role played by Byzantium in the making of the modern Europe.

Course contents

The course will be articulated in two distinct parts. The first part (introductory) will be devoted to political events of the Byzantine empire as well as to its main social aspects: 1) political ideology; 2) church and monasticism; 3) social structure and mentality; 4) burocracy and army;  5) economy. The second part (specialized)  will deal with the following theme: Politics, rituality and propaganda in the mirror of the late antique diptychs.

Readings/Bibliography

Introductory part:
- G. Ravegnani, Introduzione alla storia bizantina, Bologna, Il Mulino 2006;
- S. Cosentino, Storia dell'Italia bizantina. Da Giustiniano ai Normanni, Bologna, Bononia University Press 2008.
Specialized part: - R. Delbrueck, Dittici consolari tardoantichi, trad. it a cura di M. Abbatepaolo, Bari 2009 (ed. orig. 1929): - Eburnea Diptyca, a cura di M. David, Bari 2007.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

The exam will be articulated in a written and an oral part.
1) Written part: paperwork (6-8 pages) concerning one of the topics which will be examinated during class. The paper must be delivered to the teacher one week before the oral part.
2) Oral part: interview aimed at assessing the basic notions of the discipline.

Teaching tools

Reading of sources in their original language and powerpoint presentation.

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Cosentino