DOCSLIB.ORG

Monuments of a Syncretic Society Wall Painting in the Latin Lordship of Athens, Greece (1204 – 1311)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Monuments of a Syncretic Society Wall Painting in the Latin Lordship of Athens, Greece (1204 – 1311) ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: MONUMENTS OF A SYNCRETIC SOCIETY WALL PAINTING IN THE LATIN LORDSHIP OF ATHENS, GREECE (1204 – 1311) Monika Hirschbichler, Doctor of Philosophy, 2005 Dissertation directed by: Professor Sharon Gerstel Department of Art History and Archaeology University of Maryland This dissertation focuses on wall painting in the thirteenth-century lordship of Athens, an area roughly corresponding to modern-day Attica, Boeotia and the Argolid in southern Greece. The lordship was established as part of the Latin Principality of Morea in 1205 when, in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade, Frankish forces moved outward from the fallen city of Constantinople to conquer former Byzantine lands. More than twenty monuments painted in the region during the thirteenth- and the first decade of the fourteenth century still preserve all or part of their original decoration. Notwithstanding the informative potential of such an extensive body of evidence, there has been no systematic investigation of the decorative programs in light of the particular socio-cultural conditions of Latin Greece. The present study is intended to fill this gap and begins by outlining the scope of artistic production in the lordship in the years between 1204 and 1311. Addressing Greek- and Latin-sponsored religious and secular programs, the murals are examined in the context of their multicultural setting. Particular attention is given to social, religious and political ideas as well as to artistic practices that found their way into the art of the period as a result of the socio-cultural environment created by the historical circumstances. Highlighting issues such as Church union, liturgical practice and cultural identity as they are reflected in the paintings, the study attempts to add clarity to the modes of cultural interaction in Frankish Greece. Thus evaluated, the murals disclose a striking range of opinions and responses. They bring to light religious boundaries and reveal attempts at cultural and political re-definition, but they also display points of convergence and mutual recognition. Combined, the painted programs in the Latin lordship of Athens are physical testimonies of a syncretic society whose multicultural factions lived, if not in a state of completely peaceful agreement, at least in a state of pragmatic tolerance. MONUMENTS OF A SYNCRETIC SOCIETY WALL PAINTING IN THE LATIN LORDSHIP OF ATHENS, GREECE (1204-1311) by Monika Hirschbichler Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2005 Advisory Committee: Professor Sharon Gerstel, Chair Professor Meredith Gill Professor George Majeska Professor Steven Mansbach Professor Sally Promey Professor Daniel Weiss ©Copyright by Monika Hirschbichler 2005 Für Mama und Papa ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS With much gratitude do I wish to acknowledge the various institutions, teachers, colleagues and friends who have bestowed their invaluable and kind support towards the completion of this dissertation. This study was conducted under the auspices of the University of Maryland and a number of employers who were remarkably sympathetic to my propensity to take time off from work for my studies. My research could not have been successful had it not been for the scholarly resources made available by the Research Collection and Library at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. and the helpfulness of its staff. Fieldwork was conducted with the support of Aimilia Bakourou, Director of the Fifth Ephoreia of Byzantine Antiquities in Sparta, who granted permission for me to visit and to photograph the monuments in her charge. I also want to thank Professor Sophia Kalopissi-Verti for her interest in my work, her kindness and her insightful comments. Innumerable thanks are due to my teachers who have educated me to ask questions and to the members of my committee, Professors Meredith Gill, George Majeska, Steven Mansbach and Sally Promey, whose suggestions and observations shall assist me greatly in my future work. I extend my particular thanks to Professor Daniel Weiss, whose unwavering support of my work provided encouragement when my own resolve was faltering. Most importantly, I am deeply appreciative of the knowledge passed on to me by my advisor, travel companion and ally, Professor Sharon Gerstel, who introduced me iii to the intricacies of Byzantine wall painting and guided me with equal fervor through the steep mountains of Greece, the scorching coastlines of the Mani, the armed borders of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the not inconsiderable perils of academia. Amongst the many colleagues who share my enthusiasm for archaeology and the history of art, I want to express my particular appreciation to Kostis Korelis and Heather Grossman, who provided me with copies of their dissertations, and to Rossitza Roussanova, whose intellect and benevolent loyalty continues to be an inspiration to me. Heartfelt thanks also go out to those friends who were always ready to encourage when it was needed most and to my family who so unconditionally believes in my abilities. I am eternally grateful to Pedro for instilling in me the confidence to embark on this endeavor. Quite beyond expression is my gratitude towards Martin, whose steadfast devotion gave me the strength to finish what I had started. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................v DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................... vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ........................................................................................... viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... xvii INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................1 THE LORDSHIP OF ATHENS: HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ............................4 Approach.......................................................................................................................11 Theoretical Model.........................................................................................................18 Definitions .....................................................................................................................20 Latins and Franks.......................................................................................................21 Crusader.....................................................................................................................22 Settlers ........................................................................................................................26 ARTISTIC ACTIVITY IN THE LORDSHIP OF ATHENS: A SUMMARY 30 The Sources ...................................................................................................................32 Geographic Distribution of the Monuments ..............................................................41 The Patrons ...................................................................................................................52 Greek patrons .............................................................................................................53 Latin patrons ..............................................................................................................54 Overview........................................................................................................................56 PAINTED DECLARATIONS OF ORTHODOXY................................................59 Obedient Union?...........................................................................................................60 Representations of the apostles Peter and Paul.........................................................62 Michael Choniates: Saint of conflict? ........................................................................70 On the Proper Form of Sacrifice.................................................................................76 The melismos ..............................................................................................................77 Apostolic communion .................................................................................................83 The Latin Church in the Lordship of Athens: “concerning the truth of the business”........................................................................................................................88 Conflict and Conformity..............................................................................................98 COLORFUL IDENTITIES ........................................................................................100 Wearing the Conqueror’s Clothes: Soldiers in Greek Churches...........................101 v Helmets, coifs and chausses .....................................................................................102 Shields and heraldry.................................................................................................106 Impartial soldiers .....................................................................................................116 St. George: Protector of East and West ...................................................................120
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Greece) During Unrest and Rest Period
    Harokopio University of Athens Department of Geography Deformation time series monitoring of Nisyros Volcano (Greece) during unrest and rest period. Derdelakos K.1, Papageorgiou E.2, Parcharidis I.1, Benekos G. 1 1 Harokopio University of Athens, Department of Geography, El. Venizelou 70 Kallithea, 17671 Athens, Greece, [email protected], [email protected] 2 National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy, [email protected] Abstract The Hellenic Volcanic Arc, which stretches from Aegina and Methana in the west over Milos and Santorini and terminates at Kos and Nisyros in the east of Aegean Sea, is a result of northeastward-directed subduction (started around 4 Ma at the beginning of Pliocene) of the African plate beneath the Aegean microplate. Santorini volcano in the central sector of the arc and Nisyros in the eastern sector, are the two active volcanoes of the arc. Nisyros shows an unrest phase during 1996-97 accompanied by intensive seismic activity in the broader area at the beginning of 1996 and lasted through the end of 1997 and returned to the background level at the beginning of 1998. Spaceborne radar interferometry has already shown its ability in mapping ground deformation, like co-seismic deformation, as well as long-term movements as is the ground deformation in volcanoes, landslides and subsidence. This technique can be used to identify Fig. 1 Location of the study area ground-surface deformation associated with movement of magma and/or hydrothermal fluids beneath volcanoes. Ground deformation monitoring is one of the main parameters that should be considered to assess volcanic hazard.
    [Show full text]
  • The Little Metropolis at Athens 15
    Bucknell University Bucknell Digital Commons Honors Theses Student Theses 2011 The Littleetr M opolis: Religion, Politics, & Spolia Paul Brazinski Bucknell University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses Part of the Classics Commons Recommended Citation Brazinski, Paul, "The Little eM tropolis: Religion, Politics, & Spolia" (2011). Honors Theses. 12. https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/honors_theses/12 This Honors Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Bucknell Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses by an authorized administrator of Bucknell Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Paul A. Brazinski iv Acknowledgements I would like to acknowledge and thank Professor Larson for her patience and thoughtful insight throughout the writing process. She was a tremendous help in editing as well, however, all errors are mine alone. This endeavor could not have been done without you. I would also like to thank Professor Sanders for showing me the fruitful possibilities in the field of Frankish archaeology. I wish to thank Professor Daly for lighting the initial spark for my classical and byzantine interests as well as serving as my archaeological role model. Lastly, I would also like to thank Professor Ulmer, Professor Jones, and all the other Professors who have influenced me and made my stay at Bucknell University one that I will never forget. This thesis is dedicated to my Mom, Dad, Brian, Mark, and yes, even Andrea. Paul A. Brazinski v Table of Contents Abstract viii Introduction 1 History 3 Byzantine Architecture 4 The Little Metropolis at Athens 15 Merbaka 24 Agioi Theodoroi 27 Hagiography: The Saints Theodores 29 Iconography & Cultural Perspectives 35 Conclusions 57 Work Cited 60 Appendix & Figures 65 Paul A.
    [Show full text]
  • Pathology of the Katholikon of Hosios Loukas Monastery and Preliminary Structural Analysis MILTIADOU-FEZANS a , VINTZILEOU E An
    Advanced Materials Research Vols. 133-134 (2010) pp 319-324 © (2010) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.133-134.319 Pathology of the Katholikon of Hosios Loukas Monastery and Preliminary Structural Analysis MILTIADOU-FEZANS A1, a , VINTZILEOU E2,b and DELINIKOLAS N3,c 1 Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Athens, Greece 2 National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece 3 Hellenic Ministry of Culture, DABMM, Athens, Greece [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract This paper summarizes the work carried out in the Katholikon of Hosios Loukas Monastery with the aim to study the pathology of the monument. The load bearing structure of the church is briefly presented along with its historical pathology and damages observed after the 1981 earthquake of Boeotia and slightly deteriorated since then. Finally, the results of a preliminary analytical study performed with the purpose to interpret the observed pathology are also presented. Keywords: Byzantine monument, historical pathology, structural analysis Introduction The Byzantine Monastery of Hosios Loukas in Boeotia, Greece, is one of the most important and well known monuments of the middle byzantine period. This monastic complex of high architectural and artistic value (UNESCO, World Heritage List, 1990) built on the slopes of mount Helicon, is a living monument that comprises several buildings, constructed over a long period starting from the 10th century. In the centre of the monastic complex there are two churches; the old Church of Panagia (built in the10 th century) and the famous octagonal Katholikon of Hosios Loukas built in the early 11 th century (Chatzidakis, 1969), decorated with marble revetments, frescoes and mosaics (Figures 1& 2) of excellent art.
    [Show full text]
  • P0009973.Pdf (11.31Mb)
    ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΑΣ. ΤΜΗΜΑ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ, ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ * ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ Δ. ΑΡΓΟΥΣ * ΔΗΜΟΣ ΜΥΚΗΝΑΙΩΝ ΜΝΗΜΗ ΤΑΣΟΥΛΑΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ (1998-2008) ΒΟΛΟΣ 2009 Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 09/10/2021 03:14:58 EEST - 170.106.39.137 Πα λμ (?) i Π ύ' ^ Τ/5Χ %^ι>λΓ"~ Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 09/10/2021 03:14:58 EEST - 170.106.39.137 ΜΝΗΜΗ ΤΑΣΟΥΛΑΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ (1998-2008) Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 09/10/2021 03:14:58 EEST - 170.106.39.137 ISBN 978-960-89589-4-4 © ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΑΣ ΤΜΗΜΑ I AKA Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 09/10/2021 03:14:58 EEST - 170.106.39.137 ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΙΑΣ. ΤΜΗΜΑ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ, ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΛΟΓΙΑΣ * ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΗ ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ Δ. ΑΡΓΟΥΣ * ΔΗΜΟΣ ΜΥΚΗΝΑΙΩΝ ΜΝΗΜΗ ΤΑΣΟΥΛΑΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΟΥ (1998-2008) ΕΠΙΜΕΛΕΙΑ I. Δ. ΒΑΡΑΛΗΣ - Γ. Α. ΠΙΚΟΥΛΑΣ ΒΟΛΟΣ 2009 Institutional Repository - Library & Information Centre - University of Thessaly 09/10/2021 03:14:58 EEST - 170.106.39.137 ΧΑΙΡΕΤΙΣΜΟΣ Ο Δήμος Άργους και η Δημοτική Επιχείρηση Πολιτισμού συμμετέχουν στην έκδοση αυτή ως ελάχιστο δείγμα τιμής στην Τασούλα Οικονόμου, σε έναν άνθρω­ πο που αγωνίστηκε και υπηρέτησε την επιστήμη που αγάπησε, που πρόβαλε με το έργο της και τη σκληρή και επίπονη δουλειά της την ιστορία και τον πολιτισμό της Αργολίδας. Θερμές ευχαριστίες οφείλουμε σε όλους τους συναδέλφους της Τασούλας Οικο­ νόμου που συμμετείχαν στην Επιστημονική Ημερίδα «Μνήμη Τασούλας Οικονό­ μου (1998-2008)» που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Άργος, στους επιμελητές του τόμου των Πρακτικών, στον Αναπληρωτή Καθηγητή Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Ιστορίας κ.
    [Show full text]
  • The Greek Church of Cyprus, the Morea and Constantinople During the Frankish Era (1196-1303)
    The Greek Church of Cyprus, the Morea and Constantinople during the Frankish Era (1196-1303) ELENA KAFFA A thesis submitted to the University of Wales In candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of History and Archaeology University of Wales, Cardiff 2008 The Greek Church of Cyprus, the Morea and Constantinople during the Frankish Era (1196-1303) ELENA KAFFA A thesis submitted to the University of Wales In candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of History and Archaeology University of Wales, Cardiff 2008 UMI Number: U585150 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Dissertation Publishing UMI U585150 Published by ProQuest LLC 2013. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 ABSTRACT This thesis provides an analytical presentation of the situation of the Greek Church of Cyprus, the Morea and Constantinople during the earlier part of the Frankish Era (1196 - 1303). It examines the establishment of the Latin Church in Constantinople, Cyprus and Achaea and it attempts to answer questions relating to the reactions of the Greek Church to the Latin conquests.
    [Show full text]
  • Greek Tourism 2009 the National Herald, September 26, 2009
    The National Herald a b September 26, 2009 www.thenationalherald.com 2 GREEK TOURISM 2009 THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 RELIGIOUS TOURISM Discover The Other Face of Greece God. In the early 11th century the spring, a little way beyond, were Agios Nikolaos of Philanthropenoi. first anachorites living in the caves considered to be his sacred fount It is situated on the island of Lake in Meteora wanted to find a place (hagiasma). Pamvotis in Ioannina. It was found- to pray, to communicate with God Thessalonica: The city was ed at the end of the 13th c by the and devote to him. In the 14th cen- founded by Cassander in 315 B.C. Philanthropenoi, a noble Constan- tury, Athanassios the Meteorite and named after his wife, Thessa- tinople family. The church's fres- founded the Great Meteora. Since lonike, sister of Alexander the coes dated to the 16th c. are excel- then, and for more than 600 years, Great. Paul the Apostle reached the lent samples of post-Byzantine hundreds of monks and thousands city in autumn of 49 A.D. painting. Visitors should not miss in of believers have travelled to this Splendid Early Christian and the northern outer narthex the fa- holy site in order to pray. Byzantine Temples of very impor- mous fresco depicting the great The monks faced enormous tant historical value, such as the Greek philosophers and symboliz- problems due to the 400 meter Acheiropoietos (5th century A.D.) ing the union between the ancient height of the Holy Rocks. They built and the Church of the Holy Wisdom Greek spirit and Christianity.
    [Show full text]
  • Scribes and Scholars (3Rd Ed. 1991)
    SCRIBES AND SCHOLARS A Guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature BY L. D. REYNOLDS Fellow and Tutor of Brasenose College, Oxford AND N. G. WILSON Fellow and Tutor of Lincoln College, Oxford THIRD EDITION CLARENDON PRESS • OXFORD Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford 0x2 6DP Oxford New York Athens Auckland Bangkok Bombay Calcutta Cape Town Dares Salaam Delhi Florence Hong Kong Istanbul Karachi Kuala Lumpur Madras Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi Paris Singapore Taipei Tokyo Toronto and associated companies in Berlin Ibadan Oxford is a trade mark of Oxford University Press Published in the United States by Oxford University Press Inc., New York © Oxford University Press 1968, 1974, 1991 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of Oxford University Press. Within the UK, exceptions are allowed in respect of any fair dealing for the purpose of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of the licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside these terms and in other countries should be sent to the Rights Department, Oxford University Press, at the address above This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Data available Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Scribes and scholars: a guide to the transmission of Greek and Latin literature/by L.
    [Show full text]
  • Funerary Iconography at Merbaka Church
    Mary Lee Coulson BIRDS IN PARADISE: FUNERARY ICONOGRAPHY AT MERBAKA CHURCH Ένας ταφικός θάλαμος που αποκαλύφθηκε κάτω από A burial chamber discovered under the Bema at Merbaka το Ιερό στο ναό του Μέρμπακα στην Αργολίδα υπο- church in the Argolid implies that the church was built for δηλώνει ότι ο ναός χτίστηκε για την καθολική λατρεία the Catholic rite, most likely at the turn of the 14th centu- στο μεταίχμιο του τέλους του 13ου και των αρχών του ry, as a memorial to William of Moerbeke, Dominican 14ου αιώνα, ως ένα ταφικό μνημείο αφιερωμένο στη Archbishop of Corinth until 1286. Inscriptions and de- μνήμη του William Moerbeke, Δομινικανού αρχιεπισκό- tails in the iconography of the frescoes in the prothesis, που της Κορίνθου μέχρι το 1286. Ωστόσο, επιγραφές however, particularly a small antiquarian fresco of birds και λεπτομέρειες στην εικονογραφία των τοιχογρα- and plants over the entrance from the prothesis to the φιών στην πρόθεση και ιδιαίτερα μια μικρή αρχαι- Bema, suggest that these paintings date to the early 15th οπρεπής τοιχογραφία με την απεικόνιση πτηνών και century during the Venetian hegemony over Argos and φυτών πάνω από την είσοδο της πρόθεσης προς το Ιερό Nauplion, when the translation of the local St. Peter of δείχνουν ότι οι τοιχογραφίες αυτές χρονολογούνται Argos from Argos to Nauplion occurred, and Merbaka στις αρχές του 15ου αιώνα, κατά τη βενετική κυ - church may have been given a new memorial purpose. ριαρχία του Άργους και του Ναυπλίου, όταν πραγμα - τοποιήθηκε η μεταφορά των λειψάνων του τοπικού αγίου Πέτρου του Άργους από το Άργος στο Ναύπλιο και ο ναός του Μέρμπακα απέκτησε ένα νέο ταφικό προορισμό.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Bronze Age Palaces to the Hellenistic Kingdoms
    Department of History and Archaeology MA in Greek and Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology: From the Bronze Age Palaces to the Hellenistic Kingdoms Regional Influences between Greek and Macedonian Architecture with Attention to Stoa Design MA Dissertation Pefani Theodora Supervisor: David Scahill Athens, 2019 Review Committee David Scahill, Adjunct faculty Stylianos Katakis, Assistant Professor of Roman Archaeology Dimitris Plantzos, Associate Professor of Classical Archaeology ABSTRACT This thesis is a study of the regional influences of the Macedonian and Greek Architecture and their impact on the stoa design after the rise of the Hellenistic kingdoms. The stoa, as form and design is known to Greek architecture with continuous presence in agoras, sanctuaries and other public places. The origins of the stoa as a design are located in Greece, where the earlier examples are related with the development of the Classical aesthetics of design. Yet, the emergence of the Hellenistic kingdoms effects the stoa design in a significant degree and transforms completely the concept of the structure. The Hellenistic stoas incorporate various local and regional traditions, as an architectural hybrid. Yet, the Hellenistic Stoas are not affected by the Hellenistic palatial architecture only in terms of design but also in terms of ideology of kingship, of administration system and legitimization of the governance and maintenance of social hierarchies. 2 To my best friend, Stamatia Tselikou 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This project would not have been possible without the support and help of many people. During this process of working several people have encouraged and inspired me. Honest thanks to my adviser, David Scahill, who patiently read my numerous revisions and offered me priceless guidance, support, inspiration, and advice.
    [Show full text]
  • Santa Fosca in Torcello and the Middle Byzantine Churches in Eastern Greece: Preliminary Comparison and Remarks on Common Features and Differences
    Athens Journal of History - Volume 2, Issue 1 – Pages 43-58 Santa Fosca in Torcello and the Middle Byzantine Churches in Eastern Greece: Preliminary Comparison and Remarks on Common Features and Differences By Antonella Manzo The main aim of this work is to critically examine Santa Fosca building period through the analysis of the similarities as well as the differences with some churches located in Greece and belonging to the so-called octagonal domed type. In fact, since the second half of the Nineteenth century a historiographical tradition has compared Santa Fosca with these Greek Middle-Byzantine churches, where eight supports, piers or columns, arranged in a regular or irregular octagon, receive the loads from the cupola. The comparison is based on the direct analysis of these buildings: the structural configuration, the constructive materials and techniques as well as the affinities in decoration, occurring both inside and outside, are under investigation. This contribution offers a new perspective, from which it could be possible to study the period of erection of the Venetian church, a topic that is still object of debate among the scientific community. Introduction Torcello is an island belonging to the Northern Venetian Laguna, which lives its golden age during the X-XI century AD: in his Administrando Imperio of 927 Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus defines Torcello as emporion mega, to testify the great importance of its intense trades with the Orient. The church of Santa Fosca is located on the island at the Southern side of the ancient Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, whose origins date back to the inscription of 639 AD, discovered during the excavations of 1895.
    [Show full text]
  • The Historical Review/La Revue Historique
    The Historical Review/La Revue Historique Vol. 16, 2019 Palimpsests of memory: the medieval city of Athens in modern and postmodern contexts Albani Jenny https://doi.org/10.12681/hr.22821 Copyright © 2020 Jenny P. Albani To cite this article: Albani, J. (2020). Palimpsests of memory: the medieval city of Athens in modern and postmodern contexts. The Historical Review/La Revue Historique, 16, 89-118. doi:https://doi.org/10.12681/hr.22821 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 06/10/2021 06:15:43 | Articles PALIMPSESTS OF MEMORY: THE MEDIEVAL CITY OF ATHENS IN MODERN AND POSTMODERN CONTEXTS Jenny P. Albani Abstract: This article addresses attitudes towards the medieval past of Athens from modern to postmodern times. Athens, a symbol of classical civilisation, had become a provincial Byzantine centre. From the proclamation of Athens in 1833 as the capital of the modern Greek state to about 1880, archaeological research in Athens focused on classical antiquities at the expense of the preservation of monuments of the Middle Ages, which was regarded as a period of decline. The historical and artistic value ofA thenian medieval monuments has been acknowledged since the late nineteenth century. The international progress of Byzantine studies, the national narrative on the continuity of Greek history, the political concept of the Megali Idea (“Great Idea”), and contemporary state policies based on “diachrony and synergy” contributed to this significant ideological shift.A thens is, however, still renowned and admired worldwide
    [Show full text]
  • Publ Dbecon Issue F2 Page 1
    This is an extract from: The Economic History of Byzantium: From the Seventh through the Fifteenth Century Angeliki E. Laiou, Editor-in-Chief Scholarly Committee Charalambos Bouras Cécile Morrisson Nicolas Oikonomides † Constantine Pitsakis Published by Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection Washington,D.C. in three volumes as number 39 in the series Dumbarton Oaks Studies © 2002 Dumbarton Oaks Trustees for Harvard University Washington,D.C. Printed in the United States of America www.doaks.org/etexts.html Aspects of the Byzantine City, Eighth–Fifteenth Centuries Charalambos Bouras As a theoretical subject, the Byzantine cityfromthe end of the iconoclastic controversy to the final overthrow of the empire in 1453 is highly extensive and complex. This is not only because the cities themselves were numerous, but also because during that period of almost eight centuries there was a dynamic of change whose results differed in each separate case. There has been increased scholarly interest in the subject in re- cent years, which can be attributed to a turn toward a study of the built environment on the large scale in connection with its architecture, to a search for some measure of continuity in urban life after ancient times, and to a growing trend toward the study of productive relations, given that the secondary sector of the economy was always among the definitive functions of cities, no less in Byzantium than elsewhere.1 However, these are only three of the numerous and frequently overlapping aspects of the subject. The history of the cities themselves, the evolution of their institutions2 and their social structures, and the development of their architecture and town plan- ning3 are also topics of interest.
    [Show full text]