09165 - History of Byzantine Italy

Learning outcomes

The purpose of the Course consists on to transmit a large kknowledge of the eastern-roman civilization (IV-XV Century), with particular regard to the italian territories (e.g. high adriatic and venetian territories, the Romania, Rome, Southern Italy and the isles). The study of ancient and modern literature shall be useful to understand why contestualizying italian specificity in the byzantine history is important for better understand our history.

Course contents

I. First Part: in general

main lines of the history of Eastern-Roman Empire; geography; civilization; periodization; events, characters; literature for the knowledge of importance of italian byzantine cultural Heritage and his restoration; political ideology (with particular attention to the high, medium and low Adriatic areas, Venice, Sicily and Sardinia).

2. Second Part

Eastern-Roman political ideology (IV-XV Century) as literature for the study of byzantine cultural Heritage in Italy: literature, iconography, Ravenna and Exarchate, Venice and adriatic territories, Norman Sicily, shall bu investigate through sources as venetian chronicles, documents, or objects as S. Marco of Venice mosaics and especially, the Pala d'Oro.

Readings/Bibliography

1. For concerning Part I., in general, is important to read an historical Atlas and a manual: G. OSTROGORSKY, Storia dell'impero bizantino, Torino, Einaudi, many times redited, or an Introduction to Byzantine History: G. RAVEGNANI, Introduzione alla storia bizantina, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005. Particularly important, for Italian byzantine hstory, is S. COSENTINO, Storia dell'Italia bizantina. Da Giustiniano ai Normanni (secc. VI-XI), Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2009.

For concearning Part 2. is recommended the study of the essays and the material in: A. CARILE, Materiali di storia bizantina, Bologna, Lo Sacarabeo, 1994; ID., Immagine e realtà nel mondo bizantino, Bologna, Lo Sacarbeo, 2000; ID., Teologia politica bizantina, Spoleto, Fondazione Centro italiano di studi sull'alto Medioevo, 2008.

All books indicated are easy to found in the Libraries of the Campus of Ravenna, as well as in the libraries of Bologna During the lessions shall be indicated others texts, material and new bibliography.

Teaching methods

Teaching methods consists in indicate teaching material and bibliography. Dhall be invited italian or strangers experts for conferences or seminar lessions: students are invited to partecipate.

Assessment methods

Final proof consist in an oral veryifing discuss the material seen during the lessions or personally studied by the student. very important is the confidence that the student use with the "working instrumentsl", e.g. literature, iconography and other material.

Teaching tools

Teaching tools consists in programm of the lessions and material of study examinated.

Links to further information

http://www.dbc.unibo.it/docenti/vespignani

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Vespignani