History of the Byzantine Empire History 410-01 / European Studies 498-03 Spring 2010

Instructor: Dr. Margaret Trenchard-Smith Class Sessions: MWF 12-12:50 at UNH 1401 Office Hours and Location: MWF from 4:15 to 5:30 at UNH 3501 and by appointment Office Telephone: (310) 338-1742 E-mail: [email protected]

Course Description/Principal Topics: We will examine the state and society of the medieval East Roman Empire, known as Byzantium, from the dedication of Constantinople as its capital in the fourth century to the conquest of the empire by the Ottoman Turks in the fifteenth. The perception of Byzantium as having undergone a thousand-year decline has long since given way to an historical appreciation of its dynamism, adaptability and endurance. How was the remarkable longevity of the Byzantine Empire achieved? What were the mental structures that lent coherence to its multi-ethnic society, and the microstructures that gave it texture? What can be learned of the daily lives of Byzantine men and women at the various levels of society? In addition to addressing such questions, by using recordings and images, we will also investigate the distinctive culture of Byzantium through its music, art and architecture. In this course, the lecture and seminar formats will be combined.

Student Learning Outcomes: The chief objective is to expose many of you for the first time to a culture, society and political entity key to understanding developments in Eurasia to the present moment. Examples: you will gain insight into the historical relationship between the Orthodox Patriarchate and the Papacy, the formation of Slavic societies, the Crusades and their aftermath, and the influence of the Byzantine imperial autocracy upon Medieval Western Europe, Imperial Russia and the Ottoman Empire. As with other history courses, you can expect to enhance your capacity for critical analysis, to improve your presentation and writing skills and to develop further your historical imagination.

COURSE SCHEDULE Week 1: Foundations 1/20 Introduction Reading Assignments: Timothy Gregory, A History of Byzantium (hence, Gregory), “Introduction,” pp. 1-20; Ch. 1, pp. 21-32; Ch. 2, pp. 33-44 Deno John Geanakoplos, Byzantium: Church, Society, and Civilization Seen through Contemporary Eyes (hence, Geanakoplos), nrs 19, 25, 40a-b, 57a-b, 58, 67a-b 1/22 Diocletian’s Re-structuring of the Roman Empire

Week 2: The Christianization of the Empire 1/25 Constantine the Great and His Sons / Byzantine Imperial Ideology Gregory, Ch. 3, pp. 45-65; Ch. 4, pp. 66-94; Geanakoplos, nrs. 1, 2, 3, 92a, 95-7, 226 Course Reader: Edict of Galerius and Edict of Milan’; Eusebios of Caesarea, Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine 1/27 Christianity Triumphant / Monks and Saints Geanakoplos nrs. 93-4, 120-21, 128-30, 136, 189a-b, 296a-b Course Reader: The Nicene Creed; Athanasios‟ Life of Anthony Music: “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” (Psalm 102, 1-22), Byzantine Chant (Liturgy of the Catechumens), The Byzantine Choir of Greece, Lycourgos Angelopoulos, Artistic Director 1/29 “Barbarian” Migrations / Theological Disputes Gregory, Ch. 5, pp. 95-118; Geanakoplos, nrs. 106-8a-c, 241-47 Course Reader: Sokrates, Ecclesiastical History

Week 3: The West “Falls,” The East Endures 2/1 The Parting of the Ways / Constantinople Geanakoplos, nrs. 35-7, 68a, 79a-b, 164, 176a-b, 177a-b Course Reader: Prokopios (Procopius), Wars; Sozomen, Ecclesiastical History 2/3 The Age of Justinian / Roman and Byzantine Law Gregory, Ch. 6, pp. 119-47; also, “Bibliography,” pp. 367-70; Geanakoplos, nrs. 26, 48-56, 59, 88, 99a, 110a, 142, 179-83, 200- 01, 213-14a-b, 222b, 297 Course Reader: Corpus Iuris Civilis: Novels, Codex; Prokopios, Wars Secret History Music: Romanos the Melodist, “Today the Virgin…” (Kontakion, 6th century), Byzantine Choir of Greece, Lycourgos Angelopoulos, Artistic Director 2/5 Byzantine Charity and Philanthropy / Justinian’s Buildings Geanakoplos, nrs. 119, 140-41, 227-28, 230-31 Course Reader: Leontios‟ Life of John the Almsgiver; Prokopios, Buildings; Paul the Silentiary, Description of Hagia Sophia

Week 4: Calamity and Change 2/8 Ephemeral Victories, the Plague and Usurpation Gregory, Ch. 7, pp. 148-82; also, “Glossary,” pp. 359-65; Geanakoplos, nrs. 12-13, 86-7, 100, 255, 298 Course Reader: Paul of Aegina, The Epitome; Theophylactos Simocatta, The Emperor Maurice, Prokopios, On the Wars 2/10 Heraklios and the Persian and Arab Invasions Geanakoplos, nrs. 41, 43-44, 69-70, 98a, 190, 196, 248-50, 322 Course Reader: Chronicon Paschale; Al-Baladhuri, The Battle of the Yarmuk Music: Nidaa Abou Mrad, Enamored of God: A Soufi Oratorio, sung by Carole Samaha 2/12 Rivalries and Revolutions / The Themes Geanakoplos, nrs. 80, 110b Course Reader: Chronicle of Theophanes; The Farmer’s Law

Week 5: The Period of Iconoclasm 2/15 The First Phase of Iconoclasm / Daily Life in Byzantium Gregory, Ch. 8, pp. 183-201; Geanakoplos, nrs. 8, 114, 166,186, 213, 216, 219, 221-22, 234, 237, 240 Course Reader: The Iconoclast Council of Constantinople, 754, St. John of Damaskos, In Defense of Icons 2/17 The Second Phase of Iconoclasm / Byzantine Women Gregory, Ch. 9, pp. 202-216; Geanakoplos, nrs. 111-13, 257 Course Reader: Alice-Mary Talbot and Alexander Kazhdan, “Women and Iconoclasm,” BZ 84/85 (1991/1992), pp. 391-408; primary sources: Kassia, poems; Life of Mary the Younger Music: Kassia (9th century), Using the Apostate Tyrant as His Tool, Kronos Quartet, arranged by Diane Touliatos 2/19 Jews in the Byzantine Empire: Guest Lecturer Professor Ra’anan Boustan (UCLA) Course Reader: Ra‟anan Boustan, “The Relics of the Rabbi Ishmael in The Story of the Ten Rabbinic Martyrs”

Week 6: Restoration and Renaissance 2/22 Restoration of Icons / Basil I and Leo VI “Sophos” Gregory, Ch. 10, pp. 217-36; Geanakoplos, nrs. 27-28, 99b, 101, 115, 117-18, 146-49, 184, 251a-b Course Reader: Photios, Bibliotheke; Epanagoge 2/24 The Macedonian Renaissance / Romanos Lekapenos and Constantine VII “Porphyrogennetos” Geanakoplos, nrs. 4-5, 51, 89, 169, 229, 299, 301-03, 307a-b, 308-11, 314-15, 319, 320c, 321 Course Reader: Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, The Book of Ceremonies; Liutprand of Cremona, Report on the Mission to Constantinople 2/26 In-class midterm, Part I

Week 7: “The Byzantine Commonwealth” 3/1 Imperial Conquests Gregory, Ch. 11, pp. 237-56; Geanakoplos, nrs. 71-3, 82-4, 125, 137, 252, 256, 258-63 Primary source: Russian Primary Chronicle: The Christianization of Russia Music: Ivan the Terrible (16th century), “Stikhira,” Stikhira for the Milenary (sic) of Christianization of Russia [СТИХИРА], Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, conductor, USSR Ministry of Culture Symphony Orchestra 3/3 The Middle Byzantine Economy and Trade / Microstructures Geanakoplos, nrs. 167-68,170-74,185, 191-92, 202-08, 211-12, 214b, 217 Course Reader: Alexander Kazhdan, “Microstructures” 3/5 Open Session This session is set aside for reflection, questions, general discussion and early presentations

Week 8: Student Presentations 3/8 Presenters TBA 3/10 Presenters TBA 3/12 Presenters TBA

Week 9: Destabilization 3/15 Political Instability in the Eleventh Century / The Great East-West Christian Schism Geanakoplos, nrs. 11, 15, 74, 126, 150-53, 187, 188b, 224a, 238-39, 267 Course Reader: Margaret Trenchard-Smith, “East and West: Cultural Dissonance and the „Great Schism of 1054‟ ” (available on the home page of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, select “Orthodoxy,” then select “Great Schism of 1054”); primary sources: Michael Psellos, Fourteen Byzantine Rulers (Chronographia); Pope Leo IX, “Letter to Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos,” Patriarch Michael Keroularios (Cerularius), Edictum Synodale (PG 120: 735-48), Cardinal Humbert, Incipit Brevis et Succincta, etc. (Bull of Excommunication, PL 143: 1001-1004). 3/17 Alexios Komnenos’ Pragmatic Solutions / The First Crusade Gregory, Ch. 12, pp. 257-81; Geanakoplos, nrs. 30, 223, 269-71 Course Reader: Anna Komnene, Alexiad 3/19 The Political Machinations of Manuel I / Byzantine “Feudalism”? Geanakoplos, nrs. 7, 45-6, 271-73 Course Reader: Kinnamos, Deeds, etc; Niketas Choniates, O City of Byzantium Week 10: Byzantium and the West 3/22 Political Tensions and the Fourth Crusade / The Fall of the Empire? Gregory, Ch. 13, pp. 282-97; Geanakoplos, nrs. 31, 274-80 Course Reader: Robert de Clari, The Capture of Constantinople; Niketas Choniates, O City of Byzantium 3/24 The Period of Latin Rule and the Byzantine Successor States Geanakoplos, nrs. 16, 32, 39, 75, 154-55, 175, 224b, 281-82 Course Reader: Chronicle of the Morea 3/26 Midterm, Part II

Week 11: Imperfect Recovery 3/29 Recovery of the Capital, If Not of the Empire / Renewed Religious Controversy Gregory, Ch. 14, pp. 298-324; Geanakoplos, nrs. 6, 17, 47a, 85, 156-7, 158a-b, 193a-b, 194, 209-11, 283, 285, 306 Course Reader: John Meyendorff, “Theology in the Thirteenth Century: Methodological Contrasts”; primary source: Gregory Palamas, On Unceasing Prayer 3/31 Spring Break 4/2 Spring Break

Week 12: A Crippled Empire 4/5 Civil War and Plague 4/7 Serbian Control of the Balkans Geanakoplos, nrs. 132-33,159-63, 215, 284 Course Reader: Marko and the Turks; Emperor John Kantakuzenos, History 4/9 Ottoman Ascendancy, Byzantine Dependency Geanakoplos, nrs. 10, 18, 33, 47b-c, 91, 98c, 105, 225, 264-5, 286-7, 288a-b, 289-94, 300, 326a-c, 327, 329 Course Reader: Laonikos Chalkokondyles, History

Field Trip to Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Week 13: “… unless soul clap its hands and sing / and louder sing for every tatter in its mortal dress…” 4/12 The Palaiologan Renaissance / Film: Byzantium 4/14 Before the Fall / Final drafts of research papers are due for comment and revision Gregory, Ch. 15, pp. 325-39 Music: Guillaume Dufay (15th century), Lamentatio Sanctae Matris Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae (“Lamentation for the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople”), Cappella Romana, Alexander Lingas, artistic director 4/16 Midterm, Part III

Week 14: An End Comes 4/19 The Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople Gregory, Ch. 16, pp. 340-58; Geanakoplos, nrs. 34, 77, 195, 295, 330-3 Course Reader: Jonathan Harris, “Byzantines in Renaissance Italy”; primary sources: Sphrantzes, Kritobolos: excerpts from their accounts of the capture of Constantinople and its aftermath Music: Manuel Chrysaphes (15th century), Lament for the Fall of Constantinople [qrÁoj tÁj ¡lèsewj] ; Anonymous, Imperial Acclamations for Constantine XI Palaiologos 4/21 Open Session This session is set aside for reflection, questions, general discussion and last-minute presentations 4/23 The Legacy of Byzantium in Turkey: Guest Lecturer Professor Najwa al-Qattan

Week 15: Reflection and Assessment 4/26 The Legacy of Byzantium in Greece: Guest Lecturer Professor Demetrios Liappas / Revised final drafts of research papers are due 4/28 Preparation for the Final Exam 4/30 Course Overview and Discussion and Closing Remarks I will be observing extended office hours in the week before the final exam.

Week 16: Final Exam (to be turned in at my office on Wednesday, May 5th, between 11 am and 1 pm)

ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMS:

Attendance and Discussion, 20% In order to excel, it is essential that you attend each session and do the assigned readings before class. Attendance will be taken at the start of class, and the quality and frequency of your contributions to class discussion will be evaluated. Make every effort to arrive on time, as late arrivals disrupt the flow of lecture and discussion. Four or more missed class sessions will result in lowering your course grade by a minimum of half a grade; however, up to three missed classes can be made up during office hours. Class sessions will be conducted in both lecture and seminar formats. The use of electronic media during class time is discouraged.

Reading Assignments Assigned readings will be comprised of chapters from Timothy Gregory‟s A History of Byzantium, primary source excerpts from Deno John Geanakoplos‟ anthology, Byzantium: Church, Society, and Civilization Seen through Contemporary Eyes, and primary and secondary sources to be handed out weekly in a cumulative Course Reader. Elective readings will be made available as links on the MyLMU Connect course web site. Much of your reading will be self-directed as you carry out research.

Excursion to Saint Sophia (the date is to be determined) All students are invited to visit Saint Sophia Cathedral in the Byzantine-Hispanic District of Los Angeles. The excursion will end with lunch at the Greek restaurant across the street from the cathedral.

Research Paper, 35% (to be turned in by 4/14 for comment; final drafts are due on 4/21 at the start of class) This will be an eight-to-ten page paper (excluding footnotes and bibliography). You will pursue a topic of interest, using a minimum of one primary source and six secondary sources, and will develop a thesis statement, showing an awareness of the state of the field on the topic. Students are expected to attend office hours early in the semester in order to ascertain topics of interest, and are strongly encouraged to discuss projects with me as their research unfolds. Papers may not be submitted by e-mail attachment.

Presentation of Work in Progress, 10% Each of you will each present to the class work in progress on your research paper. Guidelines for presentations and grading criteria will be handed out early in the semester. To facilitate peer discussion and support, a thread will be dedicated to each presenter on the MyLMU Discussion Board.

Midterm, 10% (2/26, 3/26 and 4/16) The midterm will be given in three parts, on 2/26, on 3/26 and on 4/16. The tests will be objective, consisting of multiple choice questions and map identifications. The lowest test grade will be dropped, so that two out of three exams will each be worth 5% of your course grade.

Final Examination, 25% (to be turned in at my office on Wednesday, May 5th, between 11am and 1pm) The final exam will be in the form of an essay five-to-six pages in length (no footnotes are required) on one of the following questions: 1) How do you explain the prolonged duration of the Byzantine Empire? 2) Which features, developments and/or events best account for the disintegration of the Byzantine Empire? Was there a symbolic or actual “point of no return” for the Byzantine state and society? If so, what was it, when did it occur, and why couldn‟t its effects be overcome? 3) This question combines aspects of the two above. Can you identify a feature (or features) of the Byzantine state and society that long contributed to its survival and endurance, yet eventually played a part in its decline and/or disintegration?

Late or Missed Exams If you are unavoidably absent from or late with an exam, provide proof of the emergency or illness or be prepared to make a compelling case. E-mail me immediately to make alternate arrangements.

Academic Honesty You will be bound by the University‟s policy on academic honesty. Please refer to the LMU Undergraduate Bulletin for its policy on plagiarism, cheating and related matters.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Timothy Gregory, A History of Byzantium Deno John Geanakoplos. Byzantium: Church, Society, and Civilization Seen through Contemporary Eyes Course Reader Online Primary Sources “Starter” bibliographies will be composed according to students‟ individual research interests

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING

Secondary Sources Peace and War in Byzantium: Essays in Honor of George T. Dennis Alan Cameron, Circus Factions Averil Cameron, Procopius Dumbarton Oaks Papers. Anthony Kaldellis, Procopius of Caesarea Alexander Kazhdan and Anne Wharton Epstein, Change in Byzantine Culture in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries Michael Maas, John Lydus and the Roman Past Paul Magdalino, The Empire of Manuel I Komnenos, 1143-1180 Henry Maguire, Byzantine Court Culture from 829-1204 Cyril Mango et al., The Oxford History of Byzantium Claudia Rapp, The Holy Bishop in Late Antiquity Warren Treadgold, A History of the Byzantine State and Society Mark Whittow, The Making of Byzantium

Primary Sources Book of the Eparch [To eparchikon biblion; le livre du préfet] Chronicon Paschale Constantine Porphyrogennetos,The Book of Ceremonies Icon and Logos, Sources in Eighth-Century Iconoclasm, trans. by D. J. Sahas Anna Komnena, Alexiad, trans. by E.R.A. Sewter John the Lydian, De Magistratibus, ed., trans. and notes by C. Bandy John Malalas, Chronographia, trans. Elizabeth Jeffreys et al. Maurice’s Strategicon, Handbook of Military Strategy, ed., trans. and notes by George T. Dennis Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople, Short History, ed., trans. and notes by Cyril Mango Niketas Choniates, O City of Byzantium, trans. by Harry Magoulias Prokopios, History of the Wars, Secret History and Buildings., new ed., introduction, abridgement and trans. by Averil Cameron The Chronicle of Theophanes Confessor: Byzantine and Near Eastern History AD 284-813, ed. and trans. by Cyril Mango and Roger Scott Three Byzantine Saints, trans. by E.A.S. Dawes and N.H. Baynes

EXTERNAL LINKS

The first three links are available through the industry of historian Paul Halsall: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/procop-anec.html This is a link to the full text in translation of Prokopios‟ Secret History (Anekdota) of the mid-sixth century. A hatchet job on the imperial couple, Justinian I and Theodora, the Secret History is arguably the most thorough vilification of a ruler ever written. Despite its salacious details and fantastical claims, the Secret History holds up a (distorting) mirror to court and society in the Age of Justinian. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/AnnaComnena-Alexiad.html This is E.R.A. Sewter‟s translation of Anna Komnena‟s Alexiad (twelfth century). Anna was a member of the Byzantine imperial family who memorialized the rule of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (hence, the Alexiad). Was her project an elaborate act of filial piety, a bid for immortality in the eyes of posterity, the extension of her husband‟s book, or a means to avenge herself against her brother John? Or were several or all of these motives combined? Whatever else it was, it is a remarkable addition to the rich tradition of Byzantine historiography. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/byzantium/ Paul Halsall has put together an indispensable site for Byzantine studies. Most of our in-class readings will be drawn from this source. http://www.doaks.org/Byzantine.html Maintained by the international research center for Byzantine studies in Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., this site contains a rich collection of images, timelines, a link to its library catalogue and other features. http://www.goarch.org/access/byzantinemusic/ This site is maintained by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. An excellent source of Byzantine liturgical music, arranged according to the ecclesiastical calendar. http://www.roman-emperors.org/ Hyperlinked list of all the Roman emperors, from Augustus to Constantine XI Palaiologos (the last Byzantine [therefore, Roman] emperor); genealogical tables and links to maps. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/ The Catholic Encyclopedia online, searchable. There are entries on Patriarchs, Popes, Emperors, Church Fathers and others, as well as detailed essays on Byzantine subjects.