C8912 - ARCHEOLOGIA TARDOANTICA E BIZANTINA (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, through the analysis of specific topics related to Late Antique and Byzantine archaeology in connection with the society and culture of the period, students acquire an in-depth knowledge of the methodologies and content necessary to properly structure critical research. They are able to use a variety of sources – archaeological, literary, and epigraphic – and to navigate independently within the relevant scholarly bibliography.

Course contents

After some introductory lectures on the archaeology of the period, the course will focus on the material culture, urbanism, and architecture of the eastern Mediterranean during the reign of Emperor Justinian I (527–565 CE). Particular attention will be devoted to the following topics: an introduction to the age of Justinian; his biographical profile; historical and archaeological sources; Constantinople as the capital of the Empire; religious architecture in the sixth century; cities in the sixth century; everyday life and material culture; domestic architecture; and fortifications and territorial defence.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giustiniano-i_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Antica); R. Krautheimer, Architettura paleocristiana e bizantina, Torino 1986, pp. 233-303; https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giustiniano_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Medievale); https://www.academia.edu/35446087/Simbologia_e_colore_nei_palatini_del_mosaico_giustinianeo_di_San_Vitale; E. Concina, Le arti di Bisanzio, Milano 2002, pp. 1-92; https://www.academia.edu/6226766/A_Guiglia_Guidobaldi_C_Barsanti_M_della_Valle_R_Flaminio_A_Paribeni_A_B_Yal%C3%A7 in_La_collezione_delle_sculture_bizantine_nel_Museo_della_Santa_Sofia_a_Istanbul; M. L. Fobelli, Un tempio per Giustiniano. Santa Sofia di Costantinopoli e la Descrizione di Paolo Silenziario, Roma 2005, pp. 1-31, 181-207; M. David, Archeologia della tarda antichità, Milano 2021, pp. 222-247.

Non attending students: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giustiniano-i_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Antica); R. Krautheimer, Architettura paleocristiana e bizantina, Torino 1986, pp. 233-303; https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/giustiniano_(Enciclopedia-dell'-Arte-Medievale); https://www.academia.edu/35446087/Simbologia_e_colore_nei_palatini_del_mosaico_giustinianeo_di_San_Vitale; E. Concina, Le arti di Bisanzio, Milano 2002, pp. 1-92; https://www.academia.edu/6226766/A_Guiglia_Guidobaldi_C_Barsanti_M_della_Valle_R_Flaminio_A_Paribeni_A_B_Yal%C3%A7 in_La_collezione_delle_sculture_bizantine_nel_Museo_della_Santa_Sofia_a_Istanbul;I. Baldini, The Toilsome Journey of Marbles, in S. Cosentino (ed.), Ravenna and the traditions of late antique and early Byzantine craftsmanship, Berlin/Boston 2021, pp. 83-113;M. L. Fobelli, Un tempio per Giustiniano. Santa Sofia di Costantinopoli e la Descrizione di Paolo Silenziario, Roma, Viella 2005, pp. 1-31, 181-207; M. David, Archeologia della tarda antichità, Milano 2021, pp. 222-247; F. Marazzi (ed.), Bizantini, Luoghi, simboli e comunità di un Impero millenario, Roma 2023, pp. 1-16, 60-83, 90-97, 232-238, 280-286.

Teaching methods

Teaching will consist of lectures combined with the active participation of students through guided discussions of the topics addressed during the course.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of an oral examination in which students will be asked to discuss the topics covered during the course. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the principal issues addressed in class. The oral examination will also provide an opportunity to assess the student's ability to critically engage with and contextualize the course content.

Excellent marks will be awarded to students who demonstrate a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the topics covered, the ability to analyse and discuss them critically, and a confident command of both academic English and the appropriate disciplinary terminology. Satisfactory marks will be awarded to students whose preparation is primarily descriptive or mnemonic but who are nevertheless able to present and analyse the material coherently, although not always using the most appropriate terminology. Limited knowledge of the subject matter and/or inappropriate use of disciplinary language, despite a basic familiarity with the examination material, will result in a pass mark only. Significant gaps in knowledge, inadequate use of disciplinary terminology, and an inability to engage with the required bibliography will result in a failing grade.


Students are encouraged to attend one of the public examination sessions before taking the examination themselves, as this may help them become familiar with the examination format.


One examination session is normally scheduled each month. Between June and September, however, the number of examination sessions may be reduced owing to the archaeological fieldwork conducted by the teaching staff.


A student is considered to be attending the course if they participate in at least 75% of the scheduled classes.

Teaching tools

Downloadable PowerPoint presentations and course handouts will be made available to students. 

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), temporary or permanent disabilities, or other conditions requiring reasonable accommodations are strongly encouraged to contact the University's Office for Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders as early as possible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The Office will propose any appropriate accommodations for the student. Requests for examination accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor, through the relevant University procedures, at least 15 days before the examination date. The instructor will assess their suitability in light of the intended learning outcomes of the course.

The course includes an optional field trip to Ravenna to visit its 6th c. monuments

Office hours

See the website of Isabella Baldini