B8008 - Introduction to Byzantine Civilization (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will have acquired a basic yet comprehensive understanding of the thousand-year Byzantine civilization, covering historical, cultural, religious, and artistic aspects from the 4th to the 15th century. The student will be able to comprehend and explain the main political and social dynamics of the Byzantine Empire, as well as its crucial role in the broader Mediterranean and European context. The student will be capable of analyzing the primary historical-artistic and rhetorical-literary manifestations of Byzantium, recognizing the influences and innovations compared to previous traditions. Moreover, the student will understand the relevance and contemporary significance of historical-religious and political-ideological phenomena rooted in the Byzantine world and its interaction with surrounding cultures. Finally, the student will develop critical skills in interpreting material, documentary, and literary sources, using interdisciplinary methodologies for the contextualization and evaluation of historical evidence.

Course contents

This course provides a general introduction to the history and civilization of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire (330-1453 AD), offering an integrated overview of various historical, cultural, religious, and artistic aspects. Students will explore the birth and evolution of the Byzantine Empire, analyzing its political and social dynamics, institutions, administrative and military structures, and the multiple interactions with surrounding cultures. The course will include a review of the main witnesses of Byzantine material and immaterial culture, with particular attention to those present in Italy (churches and monasteries, mosaics, icons, manuscripts and miniatures, linguistic and liturgical traditions). Major events and figures in Byzantine history will also be covered, with an emphasis on Church history, religious and theological debates, key aspects of Eastern Christianity, and the rise of the Greek Orthodox Church. Through the reading and analysis of selected primary and secondary sources, students will delve into a civilization that is often underrepresented in traditional school curricula, despite being a significant, fascinating chapter with profound consequences for the political, cultural, and religious history of Europe and the Mediterranean.

Readings/Bibliography

• M. Gallina, Bisanzio. Storia di un impero (secoli IV-XIII), Roma 2016
• Choose three chapters from C. Mango, La civiltà bizantina, it. edition by P. Cesaretti, Roma-Bari 1992 (2^nd ed. and subsequent reprints)
  

Non-attending Students

In addition to the above program, choose one of the following readings:

• One chapter from A Companion to Byzantine Italy, ed. by S. Cosentino, Leiden-Boston 2021 (Brill’s Companions to the Byzantine World, 8) [The volume is divided into three main sections: "Society and Institutions", "Communication, Economy, and Landscape" and "Culture and Education". Students may choose any of the 27 contributions included in the volume based on their personal interests]
• E. Morini, “1054: due ecclesiologie in controluce dietro uno scisma mitizzato”, in Vicarius Petri, Vicarius Christi. La titolatura del Papa nell’XI secolo. Dibattiti e prospettive, ed. by F. Amerini and R. Saccenti, Pisa 2017, pp. 73-101.

Students with SLD or Temporary or Permanent Disabilities

It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

The adopted method will be frontal lectures. Multimedia supports, such as presentations and image projections, will be used to illustrate the main artistic and cultural testimonies of the Byzantine era. Additionally, students will be assigned readings of sources, which will be analyzed and commented on to develop critical and methodological skills.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The student will be required to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the course topics. The oral exam will assess the ability to historically and culturally contextualize the discussed themes, critically analyze sources, and clearly and coherently present arguments. The student’s ability to connect the various aspects of Byzantine civilization studied, showing an integrated and in-depth view, will be evaluated. The assessment will consider the mastery of content, the critical and methodological skills acquired, and the presentation abilities.

Students with SLD or Temporary or Permanent Disabilities

It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Exam sessions are scheduled for the following months of the academic year:

1st session: January

2nd session: February

3rd session: March

4th session: April

5th session: May

6th session: June

7th session: September

8th session: October

Teaching tools

During the course, images, maps, and photographs will be shown, and texts of sources in translation will be provided in paper or digital format. Bibliographic material and teaching support will be downloadable from the course page on the platform https://virtuale.unibo.it/.

Office hours

See the website of Luigi D'Amelia