Faculty of History and Cultural Studies

Course Description

The nation is often presented as the most natural category to define power and government and as the foundation of the state; this was not always the case and this view is the result of a development over a long period of time!
In Europe, the state as we know it today is a product of the developments in the period of early modernity, between 1500 and 1800. For a long time we would (rightly so!) not recognize the structures of power as states, e.g. the Holy Roman Empire was filled a large number of territories, with vague and often porous borders, ruled by different types of rulers, from nobles (such as princes and nobles), to burgers (mayors) and members of the clergy ((arch)bishops). The powers of these rulers overlapped and at time were directly at odds. This is also the case for other regions such as England (later Great Britain), and todays Spain and France. Over time these structures changed, and one central part of this is the development of a bureaucracy, that is similar than what we know today. Which was then ‘exported’ by colonial powers all over the world, if need be by force! In this course, we will look at various types of ruling and organizing in and outside of Europe and the effects these have on day-to-day life and power, as well as the roles of violence, knowledge, media and movement. We will examine the changes over time and across the globe. We will also ask what this development can tell us about the ways we approach rulership, government, power and statehood in today’s world. And very broadly how bureaucracy shapes our view of the world! To pass either the writing of an essay or the holding of a presentation will be required, as well as regular participation in the in session discussions of the reading every week.

Course Description

The Roman Empire ended in 476, or so it is often believed. While the Western Roman Empire did indeed end in the 5th century, the Eastern Roman Empire continued until 1453 as the so-called ‘Byzantine Empire’. Its capital Constantinople, today Istanbul, was founded in 330 under the first Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine I ‘the Great’ and developed into one of the largest cities of the medieval world. 
The art of the Byzantine Empire from Late Antiquity to the 15th century is often considered to be limited to religious imagery, such as icons and gold mosaics, or architecture, such as the famous 6th-century church of Hagia Sophia, but there is much more to know about the Roman Middle Ages. In constant exchange with its neighbours in all directions, Byzantine art underwent many stylistic developments and included inspiration from other realms, such as the Sassanians and from the 7th century the Islamic world. The constant exchange with the West particularly through the Crusades (‘Crusader art’) demonstrates how relevant the art of the Eastern Mediterranean is for Western art history. 
This course is designed as an overview and will introduce participants to the arts in the Byzantine Empire with a focus on Middle and Late Byzantine period (9th to 15th centuries), including monumental painting (frescoes, mosaics), book illumination, icon painting, architecture, and the so-called ‘decorative arts’ (made from ivory, glass, wood, precious metals, etc.).

Recommendations for introductory literature:
Evan Freemann, Anne L. McClanan (eds), Guide to Byzantine Art, 2019 (https://www.printme1.com/pdf/374a0e737/9-2-print-Smarthistory-Guide-to-Byzantine-Art.pdf)
Falko Daim (ed.), History and Culture of Byzantium, Leiden 2020 (free download from the university library Gießen for registered users)