Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Department

4AABA107 From Late Antiquity to Byzantium

Welcome to the Web Pages for 4AABA107.

Please look at the relevant pages, and read the recommended materials, before each class. Students are also asked to send in details of problems, and new resources, which they encounter on the Web.

You are exceptionally fortunate this year. On 25 October 2008 a major exhibition about Byzantium opened at the Royal Academy. There will also be plenty of associated activites at King's and elsewhere. Don't miss it - it ends on 22 March 2009!

Week 1

Course Outline

Read
Selections from Edward Gibbon

One of the books by Peter Brown

Week 2

The Roman Empire in the third century

Diocletian and 'Recovery'

Read:

Diocletian, Edicts against the Christians
Diocletian, Price Edict (preface)
Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors

Week 3

Christianity and Persecution

Constantine and Constantinople

Read

Edicts of Galerius and Milan
Eusebius,Life of Constantine

Week 4

Julian

The Fathers and Education

Read:

Julian, Against the Galileans
Basil, Address to Young Men on the Right Use of Greek Literature

Week 5

Desert and Holy Land

East and West: Laws and Creeds

Read:

The pilgrimage of Egeria
with discussion

READING WEEK

Essay 1 due in

Week 6

East and West: Barbarians and Heretics

Holy men: Pagan and Christian

Read:

Gildas, On the Ruin of Britain
Athanasius, Life of Anthony

Week 7

Justinian

Read:

Procopius, Secret History
Procopius Buildings, Book 1

Week 8

Monasticism

The world of cities

Read:

Article on monasticism

Visit The Byzantium exhibition (closes 22 March!)

Week 9

Heraclius and the transformation of the Mediterranean world

Read:

Read Patricia Crone, Meccan Trade and the Rise of Islam
The Akathistos Hymn

Week 10

In the first hour students will write Essay 2 , under examination conditions

Art in Late Antiquity