The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies

Abstract

I. THE DISCIPLINE 1. Byzantine Studies as an academic discipline 2. Instrumenta: tools for the study of the discipline Primary sources Chronology and dating Weights and measures Archaeology Critical approaches to art history Iconography Literary criticism Textual criticism Lexicography and electronic textual resources Palaeography, codicology, diplomatic Documents: imperial chrysobulls Documents: Athos Documents: Venetian Crete Epigraphy Sigillography Numismatics Prosopography Dendrochronology Brickstamps Topography of Constantinople II. THE PHYSICAL WORLD: LANDSCAPE, LAND USE AND THE ENVIRONMENT 1. The political geography of the Byzantine world Geographical survey Political-historical survey 2. Communications (roads, bridges, etc.) 3. Population, demography and disease 4. Settlement Towns and cities Villages 5. Buildings and their decoration Building materials Churches and monasteries Secular and military buildings Wallpaintings and mosaics 6. Production, manufacture and technology Agriculture and agricultural technology Fabrics and clothing Silk production Ceramics Metal work Ivory, steatite, enamel, and glass Book production Military technology and warfare Shipping and seafaring Everyday technologies III. INSTITUTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS 1. Hierarchies Emperor and court Bureaucracy and aristocracies Clergy, monks, and laity 2. The State Structures and administration Army Revenues and expenditure 3. The Church Structures and administration Councils The Two Churches Liturgy Monasticism and monasteries Charitable institutions 4. The economy 5. Society Role of women Families and kinship Patronage and retinues Food, wine, and feasting Entertainment, theatre and hippodrome Hospitals and hygiene 6. Justice: legal literature 7. The spiritual world Byzantine theology Philosophies 8. The symbolic world Art and text Art and liturgy Art and pilgrimage Art and iconoclasm Icons Art and the periphery 9. Language, education and literacy Language Education Literacy Numeracy and science Libraries 10. Literature Rhetoric Historiography Theology Hagiography Homilies Epistolography Poetry and romances Military texts 11. Music IV. THE WORLD AROUND BYZANTIUM 1. Byzantium and its neighbours 2. Byzantium's role in world history LISTS OF RULERS, PATRIARCHS, AND POPES