East of Byzantium
Wall painting, church of Tigran Honents', Ani, 13th century. Photo: Anthony Eastmond
The Mary Jaharis Center is pleased to announce East of Byzantium, a new partnership with the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art at Tufts University. It explores the cultures of the eastern frontier of the Byzantine Empire in the late antique and medieval periods.
Named after the path-breaking Dumbarton Oaks symposium of 1980, East of Byzantium surveys the diverse traditions of the medieval Christian East, including Syria, the South Caucasus, Mesopotamia, and Egypt, and their relations with the neighboring Byzantine Empire. East of Byzantium looks at trends in the study of the material culture, religion, and history of this region, considers how digital technology can enhance access to it, and reflects on the peril of the region’s cultural inheritance. Through its annual events, East of Byzantium fosters the study of this important region, particularly in the Boston area, and focuses attention on the vulnerability of its cultural heritage. Foremost among its goals is promoting the study of the Christian East among undergraduates, graduate students, and non-specialists.
Antony Eastmond (The Courtauld Institute of Art) will give the inaugural lecture, “East of Byzantium: Shifting Identities and New Approaches,” with a response by Anthony Kaldellis (The Ohio State University). Professor Eastmond will also lead a workshop for students, “Studying East of Byzantium,” designed to introduce the study of the Christian East.
Both events will be held at the Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA.
For more information about the partnership and events, please visit the East of Byzantium website.