History and Society of Byzantium and the Christian East I [ LGLOR1521 ]

None.

An introduction to the geographical, linguistic and historical framework of the Christian East in the Byzantine, Persian and Arab worlds.

The course examines the geographical context of the Christian communities in their historical evolution as from the fourth century. It presents the history of Christianity in the regions concerned (Armenia and Georgia, Syria, Mesopotamia, Palestine and Persia), as well as its influence in Asia and India.

At the end of this course, the student will be capable to accurately use the main works of reference relating to historical subjects (dictionaries, encyclopedias, compendia of sources, historical atlases, monographs, etc.). He will be able to present orally the results of a research of limited dimension on a specific historical subject.

Continuous evaluation during the course with a final exam (oral or written) based on the required readings

The lectures are given for the most part by means of a Power-point. The students will be required to do small class-work exercises of research and/or prepare short presentations (individually or in group) on specific aspects of the themes that have been exposed in the lectures., with a view to leading a discussion.

The course is composed of several modules, each complete in itself. These modules vary from year to year in function both of the current context and the interests of the students, touching, for example, on the following themes:

- Beginnings of Christianity in the Caucasus;
- Cultural and national identity in Armenia and Georgia;
- Antioch and the development of Syriac churches in Syria and Mesopotamia;
- Christianity in Arabia and the Persian Gulf before Islam;
- The specialities of Persian Christianity;
- The image of Edessa and the Mandylion of Christ;
- The Greco-Syriac tradition of the apostle Thomas and Christianity in southern India;
- The churches in Palestine.

Basic works of reference:

- I. Gillman et H.-J. Klimkeit, Christians in Asia before 1500, London, 1999.
- M. Zibawi, Orients chrétiens: entre Byzance et l'Islam, Paris, 1995.
- J. et A. Sellier, Atlas des peuples d'Orient. Moyen-Orient, Caucase, Asie Centrale, Paris, 2004.

Other bibliography will be supplied during the course.

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