B1785 - Introduction to Byzantine Civilization (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will know the essential lines of development of literary culture in the Byzantine millennium (from Late Antiquity to the Early Modern), and will acquire essential technical notions. Students will be introduced to the relevant critical and research methods, and will develop the ability to understand the different historical periods and literary genres of medieval Greek culture. They will also be capable of applying the knowledge thus acquired to the historical, philological and literary analysis of a selection of literary passages, showing the ability to read and interpret them.

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

• C. Mango, La civiltà bizantina, Roma-Bari 1992 (2^nd ed. and subsequent reprints) (Chapters I, “Popoli e lingue”; II, “Società ed economia”; IV, “I dissenzienti”; V, “Il monachesimo”; VI, “L'istruzione”; XIII, “La letteratura”; XIV, “L’arte e l’architettura”)
• G. Ravegnani, Civiltà bizantina. Una storia millenaria, Roma 2023 (Chapters I, “L’imperatore e la sua corte”; II, “Costantinopoli, la città imperiale”; III, “La Chiesa”)

Non-attending Students

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

• S. Cosentino – E. Zanini, “Mapping the Memory of Byzantine Italy”, in A Companion to Byzantine Italy, Leiden-Boston 2021 (Brill’s Companions to the Byzantine World, 8), pp. 1-25.
• 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