BYZANTINE HISTORY
- Academic year
- 2022/2023 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- STORIA BIZANTINA
- Course code
- FT0189 (AF:331996 AR:217394)
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6
- Degree level
- Bachelor's Degree Programme
- Educational sector code
- L-FIL-LET/07
- Period
- 2nd Term
- Course year
- 3
- Moodle
- Go to Moodle page
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
The course of Byzantine History is the natural development of the courses of Greek and Roman History and the twin of the courses of Medieval History. It allows students to reach a complete knowledge of the history of the Middle Ages, the problems of the periodization of the late antique and middle ages, the historiographical debates in progress of a discipline that is still, partially, an unexplored field of research.
Expected learning outcomes
- Understand the influences and the cultural heritage of the Byzantine Empire.
- To develop a critical and independent approach to a diverse range of sources, both primary and secondary, and develop analytical skills in critically evaluating this material in an autonomous way.
Pre-requirements
Contents
segreto e ambiguo come questa vita,
Bisanzio è un mito che non mi è consueto,
Bisanzio è un sogno che si fa incompleto,
Bisanzio forse non è mai esistita...
(F. Guccini, Bisanzio, 1981)
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The module on Byzantine History (I and II) introduces the students to the History of Byzantium covering the entire millennium of its development (330-1453). In particular, the course of Byzantine History I focuses on the period between 330 and 1204. Among the topics discussed during the course students will be introduced to the passage from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages, the development of Latin and Greek Europe, the safeguard of the classical heritage, the role of the Church.
1. Introduction to the Byzantine History. Empire - Orthodoxy - Hellenism: analysis and discussion.
2. The Byzantine studies: developments of a young field of research
3. Sources and methods for Byzantine History /1
4. Late antiquity and periodization of Byzantine history: transition from the Roman Empire to the Eastern Roman Empire: from Constantine (330) to Justinian (527)
5. Ruling the Mediterranean: Justinian (527-602) and his successors
6. The “resilient” empire (602-717): the rise of Islam and the crises of 7th and 8th centuries
7. Sources and methods for Byzantine History /2
8. The Christendom from Late Antiquity to the Triumph of Orthodoxy (843)
9. The Macedonian splendor (867-1056)
10. The crisis of the eleventh century and the rise of the papacy (1054-1081)
11. The dynasty of the Komnenoi and the first four Crusades through the Byzantine eyes (1081-1204)
12. The Latin domination (1204-1261), the reconquest of Constantinople and the end of the medieval empire
13. 1261-1453, the Paleologan emperors, the civil wars and the relationship with the Latin West
14. Introduction to research: the division between East and West in the Middle Ages / 1
15. Introduction to research: the division between East and West in the Middle Ages / 2
Referral texts
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Other suggestions:
Treadgold, W., Storia di Bisanzio (Bologna, 2005)
Ducellier, A. - Kaplan, M., Bisanzio, 4.-15. secolo (Cinisello Balsamo, 2005)
Gregory, T. E., A history of Byzantium (Malden, MA, 2005)
Haldon, J., Byzantium: A history, (Stroud, 2005)
Gallina, M., Bisanzio. Storia di un impero (secoli IV-XIII), (Roma, 2008)
Di Branco, M., Breve storia di Bisanzio (Roma, 2016)
Kaplan, M., Pourquoi Byzance? Un empire de onze siècles (Paris, 2016)
Harris, J., Introduction to Byzantium, 602–1453 (Abingdon, 2020
Assessment methods
Oral examination 70% + Essay 30%.
Teaching methods
Students are expected to read the necessary primary and secondary sources.
Review of 3.000 words (font 11, line spacing 1) including footnotes, excluding bibliography of an article or a chapter suggested/approved by the teacher. Students who do not follow the lectures must fix an appointment with the teacher in order to agree upon bibliography and title of the essay.
Teaching language
Further information
Students employed in a full time job, and those who cannot attend classes for serious health / disability reasons, must integrate the preparation with:
- the readings available on the MOODLE page of the module
- Kaplan, M., Pourquoi Byzance? Un empire de onze siècles (Paris, 2016)
THESIS:
Students wishing to dedicate their thesis to the Byzantine world are requested to send an email (alessandra.bucossi@unive.it) containing:
1) A short profile / CV
2) The study plan with indication of the exams already taken
3) A motivational letter (maximum one page) containing the reasons for choosing Byzantine history and an indication of a range of topics of particular interest to the candidate.
Type of exam
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals
This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development