BYZANTINE HISTORY I (324-1081)

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

The gradual transformation of the Later Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire of medieval times (“Romania”) and the main political, military and social developments from the 4th to 11th c. A.D.

The main objectives of the course are the synthetic approach and understanding of the main historical developments in the Balkan peninsula and Eastern Mediterranean world from the late 3rd to the 11th c. A.D., the familiarization with the gradual transformation of the Later Roman to the Byzantine Empire. The purpose of tutoring is also the methodological approach and analysis of the most important sources of the era and the performance of students in the use and interpretation of relevant sources. Week #1 Introduction: The transition from Rome to Byzantium (3rd - 4th c. A.D.). Byzantine emperors and imperial dynasties from 4th to 11th c. A.D. The sources of the era. Special characteristics and research problems. Assignments. Week #2 Constantine I as sole emperor (324-337) and the second Flavian dynasty (306/24-363): The rise to power. The reforms of Constantine. The new capital. Constantine and Christianity. The succession of Constantine. Week #3 The successors of Constantine I : Constantius II, Julian, Jovian and Valens. Week #4 The Theodosian dynasty, the Goths and Christianity: Imperial politics and the formation of a new society from the second half of the 4th c. to the first half of the 5th c. A.D. Week #5 The East under its own Emperor : The constitution, the institutions, the regime factors and the state ideology of the eastern part of the Empire. Week #6 The fall of the Roman West (395-476) and the stabilization of the East during the 5th c. A.D.: The german invasions and other factors led to the fall of the West. The reasons for the survival of the East. Week #7 Anastasius I (491-518), Justinian I (527-565) and his successors: Achievements and losses during the 6th c. A.D. Week #8 Byzantium in the 7th c. A.D.: The final transition from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages. The sources of the so-called “dark centuries” of Byzantium. The Rise of Islam and the Arab conquests in the Middle East and northern Africa. The Slavs and Bulgarians in the Balkans. A new society and a new empire. Week #9 The dynasty of Isaurians and Iconoclasm: The struggle with Arabs and Bulgarians. The conflict about Icons. Administrative and military changes. Week #10 Byzantium during the 9th c. A.D.: The end of Iconoclasm and the christianization of the Slavs and Bulgarians. Week #11 The so-called “Macedonian” dynasty and the strengthening of the Empire during the 10th c. A.D.: The Byzantine society and the state in the 10th c.. The expansion of the Empire in the East and the Balkans. Week #12 The Byzantine Empire during the 11th c. A.D.: From strength and prosperity to crisis. New administrative structures. Political instability and military weakness. The new enemies in the frontiers of the Empire (Turks, Normans and Pechenegs). Territorial losses in the East. The relations with the West. The historical developments from the Schism of 1054 to the First Crusade. Week #13 Summary of courses and conclusions : Review and discussion. General guidelines for the written examination.

Rome, Byzantium, empire, Goths, Persia, Avars, Slavs, Arabs, Turks, Bulgarians, Constantine, Theodosius, Justinian, Heraclius, Isaurians, Iconoclasm, christianity, church, state, administration, society, themata

11-03-2020