Aims

The course presents the principal themes of Byzantine civilisation and the characteristics of the various communities of the Christian Orient (literature, religion art … ).

Main themes

The course will present in a simplified way principal themes of Byzantine and Christian Oriental civilisation: For Byzantium, the course gives the outlines of Byzantine civilization: imperial power, administration of the Empire, Byzantine Society, Art and Litterature, manuscripts and transmission of the Antique inheritance, science and superstition, etc. For Christian Orient, it will introduce the great political and cultural centres such as Alexandria, Constantinople, Antioch, Jerusalem, Edessa, Damascus, as well as the monastic centres in Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, Caucasus. It will stress the intellectual exchanges between the different linguistic and religious communities. By the end of the course the student will have a general knowledge and will be in a position to specialize in Byzantium or the Christian Orient.

Content and teaching methods

The course consists of linked modules:
For Byzantium : Town of Constantinople, Imperial Power, Imperial Family, Byzantine Society, Women's condition, Teaching and Education, Science and Pseudo-science, Daily Life, Icons.
For the Christian Orient: the formation of the Eastern Churches, the cultural role of the monasteries, historical centres of culture, intellectual and literary exchanges between various peoples and religious communities.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite : Nil.

Other credits in programs