04360 - Byzantine History

Learning outcomes

The course aims at introducing the student to the history of the Byzantine empire (political ideology, religion, institutions, social structure, economy, social values and culture) conceived in its traditional chronology, namely from the foundation of Constantinople to the capture of the city by the Ottomans (324-1453). At the end of it the student is able to know the main notions of the discipline and he is aware of the role played by Byzantium in the making of Modern Europe.

Course contents

The course is articulated in two sections: A) an introductory section; B) a thematic section.

A) Introductory section (30 hours). It is aimed at illustrating the political history of the empire, as well as the main aspects of its society through the following points: 1) political ideology; 2) church; 3) monasticism; 4) bureaucracy; 5) army; 6) social values; 7) culture; 8) economy.

B) Thematic section (30 hours): The Justinianic Age. The Justinian's reign (527-565) is one of the periods of the early Byzantine history better documented. Such documentary wealth regarding both written and visual as well as archaeological evidence, is probably the consequence of a long expansive phase of the late antique economy that was lasting at least since the early 5th century. The reign of Justinian stands out for its importance in many aspects of political, religious and social life. According to some scholars it would have a two-sided profile, since on the one hand it fully fits the characters of what we call 'Late Antiquity', but on the other it shows some socio-economic phenomena that will tend to spread during the 7th century.  The emperor's long reign will primarily consider under the sphere of political ideology, and the features of its administrative and social reformism as well.

Readings/Bibliography

A) Introductory section:

- G. Ostrogorsky, Storia dell'impero bizantino, It. transl. Torino 1968 (or following editions).

N. B. The reading of pp. 87-90 (only of pp. 87-90) of the volume by Ostrogorsky, must be substituted with S. Cosentino, Storia dell'Italia bizantina (VI-XI secolo). Da Giustiniano ai Normanni, Bologna 2008, pp. 141-147.

B) Thematic section:

- H. G. Beck, Lo storico e la sua vittima: Teodora e Procopio, trad. it. Roma-Bari 1988;

- M. Meier, Giustiniano, It. transl. Bologna 2007;

- S. Cosentino, Giustiniano, in Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo. Il Mondo antico, III, L'ecumene romana, ed. by G. Traina, VII, L'impero tardoantico, Roma 2010, pp. 239-286.

 

Programme for students not attending the class

In addition to the volumes listed above, it is requested also the reading of:

- G. Cavallo (ed.), L'uomo bizantino, Roma-Bari 1992.

 

 

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

Interview with the teacher aimed at verifying the notions given during the class.

  

Teaching tools

Reading of sources (translated by the teacher) and powerpoint presentations

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Cosentino