OxByzList: The Byzness
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 9th January 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
Byzantine Seminar Series at the University of Edinburgh
The Centre of Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies (CLAIBS) invites you to attend the Byzantine Seminar Series at the University of Edinburgh.
The seminars take place at 17:15 and will be held via Zoom. You can register by following this link: https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErc-ivqTwpHNf57PwnG5xjYqqdbG9z_iZd
Monday 17 Jan
Beate Böhlendorf-Arslan (Philipps-Universität Marburg) ‘Archaeological interpretation between hypothesis and evidence: some thoughts on new discoveries in the Late Antique and Byzantine city of Assos / Turkey’
Monday 31 Jan
Constantin Zuckermann (École pratique des hautes études, Paris) ‘The fiscal context of the Byzantine Farmer’s Law’
Monday 14 Feb
Vasileios Marinis (Yale University) ‘The many lives of the martyr Euphemia’
Monday 28 Feb
Emilio Bonfiglio (Universität Tübingen) ‘Education in Late Antique and Early Mediaeval Armenia: Agency and movements of scholars and books between Armenia and Byzantium’
Monday 14 Mar
Giulia Maria Paoletti (Austrian Academy of Sciences) tbc
Monday 28 Mar
Ioanna Rapti (École pratique des hautes études, Paris) ‘Viewing the history of Siwnik’ with Step’anos Orbelian, prince, bishop and historian (ca 1300)’
Online lecture: ‘Orality – Literacy – Digitality: Medieval Perspectives on the Digital Age’, by Torsten Hiltmann, IHR European History 1150-1550 lecture series, 13 January 2022, 5.30pm (GMT)
The first of the IHR European History 1150-1550 seminars 2022 will take place on 13 January 2022, between 5.30 and 7pm GMT.
Professor Torsten Hiltmann (FU Berlin) will deliver the paper ‘Orality – Literacy – Digitality: Medieval Perspectives on the Digital Age.’
This talk argues that, rather than the invention of the printing press, the processes of digitalisation in the present resemble the rise of the written word in the Middle Ages, which reshaped all aspects of society, from institutions and law to education and trade. Our knowledge of this medieval transition allows us to better understand our own, modern-day engagement with digital media. Intermediary steps such as recording and emulating the spoken word in the medium of text show how new media remained initially tied to customary ways, but would soon enable entirely new practices of use that alter culture and society irrevocably.
The seminar, which takes place on Zoom, is free. Please register online here.
Albright Workshop
Link for information and registration:
Abstract: The arrival of the Crusaders to the Holy Land was accompanied by the introduction of a new sound, the pealing of bells. Until then church bells had not been heard in the Levant; for centuries, the local Christian communities had employed a wooden instrument to call the faithful to service, the semantron. The new practice established a new communication system and witnessed the construction of bell towers across the region. For almost two hundred years, bell ringing and the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, competed. The tolling of bells, however, came to an end with the Mamluk conquest of the last Crusader enclaves. Bell ringing would only be experienced again in the last decades of the Ottoman period. Through three interrelated presentations, this workshop aims at providing an aural perspective on the history of the Holy Land in the Crusader and Ottoman periods.
Presentations:
Iris Shagrir - Sound and community in Latin Jerusalem
Ann Zimo - The bell and the adhan in Arabic sources in the time of the Crusades
Alex Rodriguez Suarez - The reintroduction of bell ringing in Late Ottoman Jerusalem
Time: Tuesday 11th January 19:00 (Jerusalem) – 17:00 (London)
Indian Ocean Figures that Sailed Away
A range of archaeological finds of South Asian manufacture from sites in the Horn of Africa, and in the Italian and Arabian peninsulas—some long known and some newly excavated—can expand our knowledge of the Indian Ocean cultural milieu. ISAW is pleased to announce an online seminar series in Spring 2022 to reconvene an international conversation on these figures that sailed out of India to points west during the early first millennium CE. The series is open to advanced research students, scholars, and academics; please note that this event is not intended for the general public. By hosting the conversation online, we hope to include regional specialists knowledgeable about and from different parts of the world.
Advanced registration is required, and the number of participants will be limited to facilitate discussion, which will be led by participants who have written about the specific object or its context. We will closely consider the Pompeii Yakshi, formerly “Lakshmi” (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli), the Khor Rori Yakshi (Smithsonian, National Museum of Asian Art), a stone head from Berenike, a stone torso from Adulis, several ivory combs from, e.g., Dibba, as well as representations of ships. The reception history of these objects both in antiquity and in museums has led to the association of only certain meanings with these objects in their afterlife. By looking again at these objects, we can distinguish other meanings: they hint at the identities of people who moved such objects overseas during the first millennium CE, thereby shedding light on the hybridity of both artifacts and their cultural context(s). This material record offers a complementary reading to literary accounts and historiographies of Indian Ocean trade routes. The online “lunchtime” roundtable series will include a total of five 1-hour Friday ‘lunchtime’ (in New York) talks, conducted via zoom, from February 25th to April 25th, 2022 (see schedule below). We will reconsider individual figurines as types and as part of a collection of interrogated objects with very specific afterlives. Through our discussions, formerly occluded layers of reception will offer insight on larger questions of the first millennium Indian Ocean, its people, its cultures, its complexities, and its hybridities, Through such close looking at these and similar objects and their contexts, the series and culminating public lecture seek to integrate archaeological finds with ongoing studies of Indian Ocean travel, trade, and the broader cultural milieu of the Indian Ocean World with a special focus on religious attitudes, merchant identities, and material culture. We plan to develop an edited volume based on the discussions as well as initiate longer-term scholarly communities with this event. If your area of research interest overlaps with this project, we invite you to join us by filling out this registration form (
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem_X_vTtos7S1emfl69G2FrIFV3q_i4kUiTp9igePzx6tgLw/viewform?usp=sf_link). Please include a short abstract describing your research interests and key conference papers and/or publications. We will be in touch with a confirmation and more details during the first week of February. For any additional information, or if you have any questions, please email: indianocea...@gmail.com.
Dates and Sessions:
February 25, 2022: 11am EST
“Comparanda as context?” — The Pompeii Figurine and Indian Yakshis
March 4, 2022: 11am EST
“Cultural milieu as context”? — The Khor Rori Bronze, a Dancing Yakshi
March 11, 2022: 11am EST
“What other contexts?” — Liquescent Bodies and Coiffed Heads
March 25, 2022: 11am EDT
“What do images of ships tell us?” — (Re)presenting Shipping
April 1, 2022: 11am EDT
“How did we receive these objects into our mental world?” — Curation and Conclusions
Organizers: Divya Kumar-Dumas, PhD, Visiting Research Scholar, ISAW, Valentina A. Grasso, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor, ISAW, Lylaah Bhalerao, PhD Student, ISAW, Priya Barchi, PhD Student, ISAW, Spriha Gupta, PhD Student, IFA NYU.
Lecture for the Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek, Munich – Elizabeth Bolman 25thJanuary
"The Egyptian Red Monastery Church: The Agency of Visual Culture"
Elizabeth Bolman
25th January, 2022
13h15 EST
https://sabkmuenchen.com/2021/12/19/vortrag-von-elizabeth-bolman-the-egyptian-red-monastery-church-in-early-byzantium-the-agency-of-visual-culture/
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
The Middle Ages as a Digital Experience (Central European University) – deadline: January 31st
"The Middle Ages as a Digital Experience" is second conference organised by the Department of Medieval Studies of the Central European University, following last year's "Medievalisms on the Screen". The organising committee invites 200-word abstracts on how the prevalence and weight of digital media conditions our approach to the medieval past. Abstracts should be sent to mediev...@ceu.edu no later than January 31st 2022.
"Border Zones - Meeting Places in the Ancient World" postgraduate conference in Prague (11-12 April 2022)
When: 11th and 12th April 2022
Where: Institute of Classical Archaeology, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague
Keynote speaker: Naoíse Mac Sweeney (Vienna) - Francesco Iacono (Bologna)
Borders, buffer zones, and frontiers between larger geographic, and cultural entities or social groups in the ancient Mediterranean as well as within the classical societies have always been a central and very popular research topic. According to their contradictory nature, these areas could serve both as demarcations of identities and/or places of interaction. Following the so‐called postcolonial turn, some of the interpretative models aiming the role of border zones have been reviewed (core‐periphery), on the one hand, while new views emerged in an unprecedented upsurge (various ‘‐isations’ phenomena, acculturation processes, and migration theories), on the other hand. Therefore, the primary aim of the conference will be to address all the possible facets of the border zones / meeting places in the ancient world, from the Bronze Age to the Late Antiquity.
The postgraduate conference follows the Adaptation and Creativity along the Border Zones – conference (https://borderzones2021.wordpress.com/), which focused on more general and methodological aspects. The main task and objective of our conference is to discuss concepts, strategies and transformations of border zones / meeting places in the ancient world using specific case studies from the Mediterranean in a broader sense; we seek to comment on the cultural and social aspects of the borders on a macro or micro level (e.g. Aegean region, Attica, polis), the geographic and environmental characteristics of assumed demarcations, the economic potentials of frontiers, the significance of border zones for the identity formation, and that of meeting areas as so-called spheres of interaction. These and further questions should allow us to understand the border zones as an inherent part of the ancient world relating to its transformation and development between the 3rd millennium BCE and 5th century AD. Conceived broadly, this theme gives postgraduate students and young researchers the full opportunity to present and discuss their opinions and thoughts applicable to the theme. Papers from postgraduates in all stages of their research, both theoretical and practical are welcome.
We look forward to receiving proposals (150-300 words) for 20 min. papers by the 28th of February 2022 by email at: pecla.co...@ff.cuni.cz.
Conference fee: EUR 20
Medieval Finance Workshop: The Costs of Catastrophe, 28 March 2022 (online)
Papers of 20 minutes duration that present new research on any aspect of finance on this theme during the period c.450CE – c.1450CE and from any geography. Main focuses are:
· The impact on Government revenues and expenditure
· The effects on the finances of corporate institutions such as city governments and religious houses
· The impact on local communities and households
· The effect on trade
· The impact upon credit markets
· How finance helped responses to disasters.
We are also inviting proposals for shorter, 5 minute presentations. This is an opportunity for researchers in the area of medieval finance to share how catastrophes feature in their more general research. These shorter slots are intended for initial ideas and observations and will be more informal.
The workshop will commence with a keynote talk from Dr Elise Dermineur Reutersward of Stockholm University (Elise Dermineur Reuterswärd – Stockholm University (su.se)).
Research papers should be presented in English and last 20 minutes, with an opportunity for questions afterwards. Shorter discussion presentations should be given in English and last 5 minutes, with supporting slides where appropriate. It is planned to follow the discussion papers with a roundtable discussion.
Both formats will give presenters opportunities to share their findings, receive feedback and engage in discussion with other early career researchers working in a similar field.
Please submit abstracts (maximum 300 words) for Full 20 minute papers by Friday 28 January 2022 to Andy Ford, University of Reading. Please also use this address for any questions.
Please submit any offers to give a shorter, 5 minute Discussion presentation by email to Andy Ford at the same email address by Friday 28 January 2022.
To maximise global participation in the workshop, the committee will be as flexible as possible in the timing of contributions on the day. Please write any preferred time for presenting your paper in submitting your abstract.
‘Ritual: Practice, Performance, Perception,’ Cerae Volume 9, deadline 30 April 2022
Rituals pervade human life. From small or mundane rituals like brushing our teeth or making one’s daily coffee, to grand ceremonies that mark important life stages, rituals are everywhere. This has prompted reflection on what rituals are, on what can be considered as ritual. Ceræ: An Australasian Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies invites essays that analyse rituals of all kinds: public and private, communal and solitary, secular and religious, rapidly changing and long-lasting. It also welcomes theoretically- or methodologically-focused contributions.
Authors may address, but are not limited to:
· Royal rituals: coronations, births, or marriage consummations etc.
· How rituals can be used as an element of identity and alterity
· Subversive and subverted ritual: witchcraft trials, historical (mis)perceptions of Jewish rites etc.
· Sacred landscapes and rituals focused on/in the natural world
· Ritual as a medium for memory and memorialisation
· Sacrifices, magic, religious rites and their intercultural reception
· Medieval and early modern political rituals such as guild processions
· Ritual represented in medievalism, including film, fantasy, literature, and art
Submissions encompassing all aspects of the late classical, medieval, and early modern world are invited. There are no geographical restrictions. As an interdisciplinary journal, Ceræ encourages submissions from archaeology, art history, historical ecology, literature, linguistics, intellectual history, musicology, politics, social studies, and beyond.
Full length articles should be 5000-8000 words, excluding references. Ceræ also accepts short notices of up to 3000 words. Themed submissions must be submitted by 30 April 2022. For submission instructions, please visit our page on submission guidelines.
Non-themed submissions are also accepted throughout the year. Ceræ particularly encourages submissions from postgraduate and early career researchers, and offers a $200 (AUD) annual prize for the best postgraduate/ECR essay. Further information on our annual essay prize can be found here.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Institute of Classical Studies/British Academy Global Fellowships programme
The Institute of Classical Studies is now inviting proposals from suitably qualified applicants for the latest round of the prestigious British Academy Global Professorships scheme.
This programme provides mid-career to senior scholars – active in any discipline within the social sciences and the humanities and based in any country overseas – with the opportunity to work in the UK for four years.
Details of the scheme and how to apply are at https://www.sas.ac.uk/support-research/fellowships/externally-funded-fellowships/british-academy-global-professorships.
For an early-stage conversation about this opportunity please write to direct...@sas.ac.uk.
Associate Professorship (or Professorship) of Jewish History Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford
Associate Professorship (or Professorship) of Jewish History
Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford
Grade 36S: £48,835 – £65,574 p.a.
Based at the Clarendon Institute, Pusey Lane, Oxford
The Faculty of Oriental Studies and Wolfson College are recruiting an Associate Professor of Jewish History in the Second Temple and Late Antiquity periods from 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post provides vital teaching for undergraduate and graduate degrees in Hebrew and Jewish Studies in the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and will be attached to Wolfson College. Primarily based in the Faculty of Oriental Studies and Wolfson College, the post offers the potential for teaching and research links with the Faculty of Theology & Religion and the Faculty of Classics (Ancient History). The research focus of the post is the historical study of Jews in Palestine and the Diaspora in the Second Temple and Late Antiquity periods, with a strong focus on textual sources in the original languages.28
You will have an outstanding record of research and publication in the field of Jewish History in the Second Temple and Late Antique periods, a record of successful undergraduate and graduate teaching, including experience of designing and introducing new courses, and the ability to lecture in an interesting and engaging manner. The successful candidate will have a high level of competence in Hebrew, Aramaic and Ancient Greek, experience of supervising graduate students, and a proven ability and readiness to contribute effectively to academic administration. You will also have a proven record of successful collaboration with colleagues in pursuit of common goals and research, teaching and administration, a demonstrated capacity for leadership in developing and maintaining teaching programmes, a readiness to participate in development and fundraising activities, and a doctorate in a relevant field of Jewish Studies and/or Ancient History, complete by the time of appointment.
This position is based in central Oxford. This is a full-time position from 1 October 2022, permanent upon completion of a successful review which is conducted during the first 5 years.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28 January 2022.
To apply, or for further details of the post, visit Job Details (AP Jewish History)
Scholarship: British Archaeological Association 2022: Ochs Scholarship – deadline 1 February 2022
The Ochs Scholarships are awarded annually by the British Archaeological Association for research projects which fall within the Association’s fields of interest. These are defined as the study of archaeology, art and architecture from the Roman period until the nineteenth century, principally within Europe, though the core interests of the BAA are Roman to 16th century. We only entertain applications that cover the 17th to 20th centuries that are of an historiographical, conservationist or antiquarian nature. The scholarships are intended to provide post-graduate students striving to write up theses with late stage funding, and help independent researchers complete projects. Applicants should either be UK citizens, registered at a UK University, or undertaking work on material in the UK. Only one of these criteria is necessary, but there should be a connection with the UK.
Applications are thus invited from students who are completing theses for post-graduate degrees and who are facing financial hardship. It must be demonstrated that the award of an Ochs scholarship will enable a thesis to be completed satisfactorily within the period of the Scholarship. Applications where a substantial amount of fieldwork remains to be done are unlikely to succeed.
Applications for research projects conducted either privately or at post-doctoral level are not eligible. The Association is launching a separate fund to cover these. For further details please contact the Hon. Secretary as below.
In preparing the application, all information should be typed. Additional information may be attached on a separate sheet or in a covering letter. Scholarships are awarded annually in April on the recommendation of a Scholarship Committee. The committee reach a decision primarily on the basis of the application (plus any supporting documents), though committee members will take account of remarks made by the applicant’s referees.
Applications should give a detailed account of proposed expenditure, which may include a reasonable level of subsistence. Allowance may not be made for any imputed salary, nor do awards cover the costs of books or equipment such as computers. For post-graduate students allowable expenditure includes supervision and examination fees, as well as thesis-binding costs. While bearing in mind that scholarships up to the value of £5,000 are available, we ask applicants not to ask for more than the minimum they require, as this may enable the Scholarship Committee to make an additional award.
Applicants should supply the names and contact details of two referees, one of whom in the case of degree candidates should be the main supervisor and ask their referees to forward references (either by post or as email attachments) to the Hon. Secretary by 21 February. The scholarship is tenable for one year and may be taken up at any time between April and October 2022, so only work which is capable of submission by October 2023 will be considered by the Scholarship Committee. The award is payable in three instalments; half on acceptance of the Scholarship, one quarter at the half-way stage, and one quarter on submission (or publication if a non-degree research project). Arrangements will be made to pay the first instalment on a date agreeable to the successful candidate.
Members of the Scholarship Committee will not discuss applications with candidates once they have been submitted, nor offer feedback; it is the role of the applicant’s sponsors and supervisors to advise them on the tone and content of applications. However, the Hon. Secretary is happy to advise on procedure prior to the submission of an application. While all applications are regarded as confidential, the Association will publish the names of the successful applicants and the title of the work for which their Scholarship was awarded.
Application forms may be downloaded from the BAA website, or obtained by sending a stamped addressed envelope to John McNeill (Hon. Secretary, BAA), 18 Stanley Road, Oxford OX4 1QZ. Completed applications, together with any covering letter or enclosures, should be returned to John McNeill not later than 1 February, 2022, either by post – or as email attachments to jsmc...@btinternet.com
Byzantine Studies Professorship, Padova
Position: professore di prima fascia (full professor)
Duration: permanent
Institution: Università degli Studi di Padova
Subject: Byzantine Studies
Deadline: 20/01/2022
https://www.unipd.it/procedura-2021PO186 (allegato 8)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Medieval History/Literature, University of Oslo
A Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1352) is available at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas, University of Oslo.
The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is associated with the project ‘Narrative Hierarchies: Minor Characters in Byzantine and Medieval History Writing’ (grant nr. 324754). The candidate is expected to carry out research as part of the main project.’
The position is available for a period of 2 years (full time).
The position may be extended for a third year, involving a research stay outside of Norway, subject to the successful acquisition of additional funding from the Research Council of Norway (Funding for Research Stays Abroad for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows).
This project aims to explore medieval power and gender relations in historiographical narrative. In medieval histories, kings, emperors, and other elite men typically occupy more prominent roles than labourers, women, eunuchs, slaves, soldiers, and foreigners. The unevenness with which attention, space, and importance are distributed between different types of characters produces hierarchies within these narratives. This research project sets out to analyse these narrative hierarchies, with a particular focus on non-elite and non-male minor characters.
The PI’s work will focus on a corpus of late Byzantine (c. 1200 – c. 1460) histories. Parallel to this work, the successful postdoctoral fellow, the PI, and external collaborators will explore several other contemporary historiographical traditions. These transhistorical studies will aim both to create a framework by which the study of Byzantine history writing can be meaningfully placed in conversation with wider medieval traditions of history writing and narrative and to reflect on the Byzantine tradition’s idiosyncrasies.
A detailed project description is available for applicants on request (please contact Matthew Kinloch).
Six RECEPTIO postdoctoral fellowships in codicology, 2022-2023 (deadline 1 February 2022)
RECEPTIO, the Research Centre for European Philological Tradition (Lugano/London), announces six fellowships for its training course for codicologists who are looking to work in auction houses and antiquarian bookshops.
RECEPTIO is the only research centre in Europe that combines codicological and philological research with the labour market, training codicologists to work for auction houses and antiquarian bookshops. Every semester we launch a competition for six scholarships to attend this unique course. The Institute’s diverse research areas and student body form an innovative, cosmopolitan and enriching academic environment, providing students with the skills and networks needed to pursue an exciting career.
There is no age limit, but applicants should have obtained their PhD no more than ten years from the date of the appointment. Researchers who have obtained their PhD more than ten years ago, but are active in the field of codicology or philology, are invited to apply on the basis of their Curriculum Vitae and will be tested for admission through a motivational interview. Candidates with a Master’s degree who have a strong interest in the object of study will be tested for admission through a motivational interview, too. Admission decisions are based on the quality of the overall application file. The grant consists of €4,000 for each academic year and can be renewed on the basis of the results obtained.
For more information visit: https://www.receptio.eu/codicologia
Our selection committees give priority consideration to academic achievement and motivation. Academic achievement is documented using transcripts and recommendations. Motivation factors should be clarified in the cover letter/statement of purpose. The evaluation committees will take into consideration the difficulties encountered by many students around the world in the spring 2020 semester, due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The main language of the course is Italian, but a very good command of English is required to follow the seminars (seminars are also held in French and Spanish).
Deadline: 1 February 2022
Application via the website: https://www.receptio.eu/programmes
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Alberto Ravani
DPhil Candidate, Faculty of Medieval and Modern Languages, Sub-faculty of Byzantine and Modern Greek
President, Oxford University Byzantine Society
http://oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 16th January 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
Online lecture: ‘The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacres 450 Years On’ by Professor Penny Roberts, The Twelfth Douglas Johnson Memorial Lecture in French History, 17 January 2022, 6pm (GMT)
The Society for the Study of French History (SSFH) and The Association for the Study of Modern and Contemporary France (ASMCF) presents the twelfth annual Douglas Johnson Memorial Lecture in French History. Professor Penny Roberts (University of Warwick) will give a paper entitled ‘The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacres 450 years on’.
Professor Roberts is Vice-Provost and Chair of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Warwick and the President of the Society for the Study of French History. Her talk will be held online, due to the current situation around the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Roberts has provided the following summary of her talk:
“Michelet famously stated that the Massacre of St Bartholomew was ‘not a day, it was a season’. The historiographical debate about the massacre has proved intense, particularly around where responsibility lay for its instigation, with the crown or with the Guise or even an international Catholic conspiracy. Yet a consensus has also been reached: that the royal intention was to eliminate the Huguenot leadership, who were believed to be conspiring against the crown, not to prompt a general massacre. Nevertheless, in the confusion, local officials and militias made up their own minds how to proceed in Paris and beyond. More recently, through the work of Jérémie Foa, attention has turned to the victims and the perpetrators. In addition, the repercussions of the massacres, the impact in different countries and towns, is to be the focus of a forthcoming volume in French History. My own contribution will return me to the town of Troyes, on which I did my doctorate, to explore its massacre more closely in light of this recent shift in historical interest.”
The talk will take place on 17 January 2022, starting at 6pm (GMT). Registration is essential, though attendance is free. Please reserve your place in advance by signing up through Eventbrite here.
Oxford Byzantine Graduate Seminar
Mondays, 12:30-14:00 (GMT), via Zoom.
To register, please contact the organiser at james....@worc.ox.ac.uk.
Please note that there is no need to register if you have previously subscribed to the seminar mailing list.
7th February
Becca Grose (Royal Holloway)
Avitus of Vienne and Roman Approaches to Burgundian Royal Women: Ascetics, Virgins and Heretics
14th February
Marc Czarnuszewicz (St. Andrews)
Manzikert 1071: The Arabic and Persian Poetry
21st February
Benjamin Sharkey (Oxford)
The Minority Experience of a Central Asian Christian Community, Explored Through Syriac Gravestone Inscriptions (c. 1201-1345) from the Chu Valley, Kyrgyzstan
28th February
Carolyn Tyler La Rocco (St. Andrews)
Christianising Elites and the Religious Topography of Late Roman and Visigothic Iberia
7th March
Matthew Hassall (Cambridge)
Inventing the Tyrant and the Dissident: Procopius and the Limits on Acceptable Speech
14th March
Margherita Riso (Leicester)
Churches at a Crossroads: Archaeological and Landscape Assessment of a Rural Sacred Landmark in Central Sicily
21st March
Canan Arıkan (Vienna)
Clerics and Building in Early Byzantine Inscriptions
28th March
Blake Lorenz (KU Leuven)
The Epigraphy of the Dome of the Rock in Relation to the Sacred Landscape of Jerusalem
Séminaires Anna Lampadaridi, EPHE
Anna Lampadaridi (Marie-Skłodowska Curie Fellow / CNRS HiSoMA) donnera six conférences, les 24 et 31 janvier, les 7 et 21 février, le 14 mars et le 9 mai 2022, dans le cadre du séminaire de Vincent Déroche à l'EPHE.
Traduire le « Père des Traducteurs ».
Recherches sur les versions grecques de la Vie d’Hilarion par Jérôme (BHL 3879)
Composée par Jérôme à la fin du 4e siècle, la Vie d’Hilarion fut l’objet de différentes traductions grecques réalisées dans des contextes divers. Le premier volet de nos conférences portera sur la préparation de l'édition critique de la Vie BHG 752, jusqu'ici inédite à l'exception de son début. Cette traduction constitue un cas très rare, que l’on peut rapprocher des traductions latines littérales d’œuvres hagiographiques grecques. Le second volet de nos conférences traitera de différentes réécritures de la légende latine du moine Hilarion dans le monde hellénophone en commençant par la Vie BHG 753 et sa réception à Byzance.
Les conférences auront lieu au 54, boulevard Raspail 75006 (salle 21), de 10h-12h, et se dérouleront sous format hybride sur Teams.
Pour s'inscrire envoyer un mail à l'adresse: anna.lam...@ephe.psl.eu
Online lecture: ‘The Limits of Alterity in Ashkenazic Manuscripts’, Professor Elina Gertsman, 26 January 2022, 5pm (GMT)
The Research Forum at The Courtauld is delighted to host the online lecture ‘The Limits of Alterity in Ashkenazic Manuscripts’, presented by Professor Elina Gertsman, on 26 January 2022 between 5pm and 6.30pm GMT.
Professor Gertsman’s paper focuses on the woefully understudied Hammelburg Mahzor(Darmstadt, HLH Cod. Or. 13), a Jewish festival book completed in Lower Franconia in the middle of the fourteenth century.
Elina Gertsman is Professor of Medieval Art at Case Western Reserve University.
The lecture is free, but reservation is required here.
The lecture has been organised by Dr Tom Nickson (The Courtauld).
Image: Zoocephalic Mattityahu The Hammelburg Mahzor, Hammelburg, 1347-1348. Darmstadt, HLH Cod. Or. 13, fol. 33r.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
‘Thresholds: Concepts of Rupture, Change and Adaptation’, UCD Humanities Institute PhD Conference, 25 March 2022 – deadline: 15 February 2022
The UCD Humanities Institute PhD Conference will take place as a hybrid online and in-person conference at the UCD O’Brien Centre, Theatre E, Dublin, on 25 March 2022. The keynote speaker is Professor Caroline Bassett, University of Cambridge, Faculty of English, Director of Cambridge Digital Humanities.
The changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have been so radical and extensive that the concept of ‘back to normal’ has evolved into that of a ‘new normal’ in recognition of the fact that there can be no return, only new forms of existence in a new world. This sense of a before and after, and the processes of rupture, change, adaptation, translation and transformation that it entails, are what we seek to critically and creatively engage with through the symbolic vehicle of the threshold. We understand thresholds as representing the movement from one space or state to another, whether this be sudden and cataclysmic or slow and gentle. The ‘threshold’ also allows for an exploration of ‘in-between’ or ‘in process’, i.e. that which is located on or within the threshold, rather than on either side of it. We may be forced to move through a threshold, adapting as best we can to the circumstances on the other side, or we might produce a threshold as part of a process of creativity and discovery. Translators, for example, work within a linguistic threshold, forging something new from a pre-existing piece of textual or verbal expression.
In the context of a world defined by change and flux, nevermore so than in the last eighteen months, the 2022 PhD Conference of the UCD Humanities Institute is seeking proposals from emerging scholars and artists (doctoral candidates or researchers who received their PhD within the last five years) who are engaged, either conceptually or practically, with thresholds of any kind.
We invite proposals for individual papers from the fields of literature, philosophy, history, classics, archaeology, art history and other humanities disciplines suitable for a 15-minute presentation, or 3-paper panel sessions addressing topics that include but not limited to:
● Thresholds of technological, social or political change
● Geographical, political, cultural or religious thresholds as places of division and encounter
● Instances of failed or thwarted attempts at adaptation
● Advantages, disadvantages, and complexities of change, translation, and transformation
● Thresholds between media and within the digital humanities
● Experience of ambivalent agency and liminal identity in migration, diaspora labour exportation, and refugee issues
● Social constraints and the overcoming of imposed limits against thresholds of race, gender, ability, age, or class identity
● Interrogating and problematising thresholds of gender and gender binaries
● Challenges and possibilities of linguistic and cultural translation
● The translation or adaptation of material for new audiences in art, literature, music, film, computer games, and other media
● Transformation and adaptation as a process of preservation
● Transformation between media and genre and the “going through” multiple thresholds; multiple levels or phases of change, adaptation and transformation
● Questions of the exaltation (or not) of the “original” versus the “copy”
● Hierarchies of adaptation. In what context do stories get “reborn”? Why are some stories retold more often than others?
● Gains and losses in the transformation from one medium to another
● Representations of ‘thresholds’ in social discourses in literature, art, film computer games, and other media
Please submit an abstract of 250 words and a bio-note of around 200 words to hiphdconf...@gmail.com on or before Tuesday, 15 February 2022, 5:00 PM (Irish Standard Time). All proposals should include your name, email address and academic affiliation (if applicable). Please also include a main subject field plus secondary subject field in the application.
The conference will be held in English. The conference is convened by Resident Scholars of the UCD Humanities Institute. Exceptional papers may be recommended for publication in the blog (https://tnhphd.network/) or other venues.
This is a hybrid online and in person conference. We welcome applications from anywhere in the world. Successful applicants who are unable to travel to Dublin for the conference will be invited to present online. There will be a live stream of all presentations available for all registered attendees. We are also aware that due to the pandemic, it may become inadvisable to hold an in-person conference; in case of changes to government restrictions or UCD policy regarding in-person events, this conference will be moved online.
For further information contact HI Resident Scholars Louisa Carroll, Lauren Cassidy, Suchismita Dattagupta, Prolet Decheva, Clare Kelly, Annie Khabaza, and Maika Nguyen, at the above email address.
‘Scientific Recreation / Recreational Science in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe’, 15-16 July 2022, University College London, deadline 31 March 2022
This two-day conference, funded by the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) at UCL, exploits the ambiguous meaning of the term “recreation” to bring together two important but disparate themes in the current scholarship of medieval and early modern recipe literature: the experimental turn centred the reproduction of scientific, craft, and household recipes, and studies highlighting how the playfulness of scientific activities contributed to contemporary scientific developments. Science is often associated with professionalism and seriousness. It is frequently forgotten that many scholars and non-scholars alike carry out playful science experiments as a form of recreation or entertainment. This was especially true for the late medieval and early modern period, when people from different backgrounds engaged in playful experiments, for example to produce astonishing magic tricks, invisible inks, or unusual hair dyes.
This conference will provide a unique opportunity to bring together scholars and practitioners from different disciplines such as history, chemistry, and physics to discuss the significance of fun and enjoyment in science. Furthermore, a hands-on section, hosted by the Institute of Making at UCL, will provide participants with the opportunity to work with historical recipes and conjoin theory with practice. This practical session will offer a better understanding of the opportunities and difficulties that arise in the recreation of historical scientific practices which frequently rely on the tacit knowledge of contemporary compilers and audiences. For example, in recreating seemingly impractical recipes which aim to make a ring jump around the house using mercury, we can unveil how late medieval and early modern people understood and exploited chemicals and their properties.
This conference will take a broad approach to the term “scientific recreation”. Papers might address the following topics:
· Methodologies, Potentials, and Limitations of Scientific Recreation
· Scientific Recreation for Education and Entertainment
· Performing Scientific Spectacle and the Role of Wonder
· Experimentation in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe
· Sites of Scientific Recreation / Recreational Science
· Transmission, Modification, Enhancement and Corruption of Recipes and Instructions
The conference will be held, circumstances permitting, at University College London. It will be accompanied by keynote lectures by Prof Simon Werrett (University College London) as well as Dr Tillmann Taape (The Warburg Institute).
We strongly encourage graduate students and other early career scholars as well as conservation scientists and artists to apply to present papers. We invite applicants to submit abstracts of 250 words for 20-minute papers accompanied by a short biography to Vanessa Da Silva Baptista and Dr Eveline Szarka (recreation.c...@gmail.com) by 31 March 2022.
We invite anyone interested in demonstrating recreations of late medieval or early modern recipes to submit an abstract with a maximum of 500 words including a description of the recreation process and a list of materials and equipment together with a short biography to Vanessa Da Silva Baptista and Dr Eveline Szarka (recreation.c...@gmail.com ) by 31 March 2022.
EDITING LATE-ANTIQUE AND EARLY MEDIEVAL TEXTS. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES II. International Workshop, Gargnano sul Garda (University of Milan), 10-12 October 2022 – deadline 28thFebruary
This workshop continues the project inaugurated in 2017 in Lisbon (link), aiming at fostering and promoting the exchange of ideas on how to edit late Antique and early Medieval texts (mostly Latin texts, but without excluding possible extensions to the Greek field). Young scholars in particular will be encouraged to present case-studies and share the editorial problems and methodological challenges that they had to face in order to fulfil their research or critical editions, in dialogue with more experienced scholars. As in the previous workshop, the center of interest will be troublesome issues, such as, for example:
- ‘open’ or ‘fluid’ texts
- Latin texts translated from another language, like Greek, or bilingual texts
- texts with variants by the author or in multiple recensions
- texts with linguistic instability
- texts transmitted by a huge number of manuscripts
- collections of extracts
- texts with a relevant indirect tradition.
Keynote speakers:
Paolo Chiesa (Univ. Milano)
Stephen Oakley (Emmanuel College, Cambridge)
Gert Partoens (Katholieke Univ. Leuven)
The call is open to young scholars under the age of 40.
The papers should be 30 minutes in length and will focus on the edition of late Antique and early Medieval texts. Proposals should concern ongoing research, in which methodological reflection on the most appropriate editorial practise and its problems plays an important role – papers can be presented in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
An abstract of around 200 words (including name, institution and email) and a short CV should be sent before 28 February 2022 to: editing....@gmail.com. Successful applicants will be notified by 30 April 2022.
Location: Palazzo Feltrinelli in Gargnano sul Garda, where the participants and the public will also be hosted: this will favour a closer contact and exchange during the whole duration of the workshop.
Inscription fees cover board and lodging expenses: 70 € for participating with paper, 170 € for public with board and lodging included (three nights, five meals: different arrangements can be made with the organisers) – The payment should be made before 31 July 2022. Bank account details will be provided later.
Contacts: editing....@gmail.com.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellows/Research Associates to participate in the research project Interactive Histories, Co-Produced Communities: Judaism, Christianity and Islam – Institute for Advanced Study (Princeton, NJ, USA) and University of Bern (BE, CH)
The project “Interactive Histories, Co-Produced Communities: Judaism, Christianity and Islam” seeks to appoint Postdoctoral Fellows/Research Associates for a period of two years, to join a collaborative community of scholars pursuing rigorous historical research while also committed to exploring ways to address their findings to a broader public.
This is an opportunity for promising early career researchers specializing in the histories of Jews/Judaism, Christians/Christianity, and/or Muslims/Islam to contribute their own research to a large-scale exploration of the long span of history of inter-relation between these three faith traditions.
Successful applicants will join a joint research project directed by Katharina Heyden (University of Bern) and David Nirenberg (Institute for Advanced Study Princeton), in collaboration with an extensive international network of scholars. Appointment
will be for up to two years (from autumn 2022 through summer 2024) with renewal contingent on satisfactory progress in the first year. Scholars will be appointed either as Early/Advanced Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Bern (at 80- 100% effort as defined by Swiss labor law) or as Research Associates at the Institute for Advanced Study, but will function as one team, collaborating closely and meeting regularly both remotely and in person.
Postdoctoral Fellows (Bern)/Research Associates (Princeton) will be expected to contribute to the general project and to make progress on their own research. They will have no teaching responsibilities.
Responsibilities: During the period of employment, Postdoctoral Fellows/Research Associates will be expected to
1. Carry out research on instances of the co-production of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam and present their research findings.
2. Participate in and assist with organizing the Project’s team meetings, workshops, conferences, and events.
3. Collaborate in the project’s media initiatives.
4. Contribute to the project’s research archive.
Qualifications:
– Applicants must have graduated with their PhD in a relevant field (History, Religion, Art History, Interreligious Studies, Theology, etc.), and be no more than ten years from the awarding of their degree.
– An appropriate number of publications depending on the candidate’s experience
– A general interest in the historical relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims as manifest in the candidate’s track record
– Strong reading skills in the primary and secondary languages relevant to the candidate’s proposed area of focus.
– Proficiency with the English language is necessary to perform the functions of these positions.
Project description: The project studies the ways in which Judaism, Christianity and Islam have taken shape at different places and times over their roughly two-thousand-year history of thinking with and about one another, and how the myriad interpretations and retellings of that conjoined history can help us both to understand relations between these communities in the past and present, and also to consider future potentials. An additional goal of the project is to translate the fruits of this research into multiple media accessible to diverse audiences.
All research interests that seek to explore some aspect of the interface and coproduction of these three religions will receive favourable consideration. Researchers may, for example, explore (a) how different potential modes of interaction come to characterize relations between these three religions at a given place and time, (b) what each religion teaches about conflict and coexistence with the others, and if/how these teachings may have influenced each other, (c) to what extent teachings, rituals or any other feature of each of the three religions might be understood as results of co-productive processes, and (d) how past co-productions are put to theological work in the present, and what normative potentials such work may produce.
Terms of the award: The initial appointment term is for one year, renewable for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance. Postdoctoral Fellows/Research Associates will be expected to be in full-time residence at their appointing institution for the duration of their appointment. Compensation will vary depending on the appointing institution, but will be competitive with equivalent positions and commensurate with experience.
Application instructions: Applicants must submit the following materials:
1. A cover letter.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. A description of your intended research plans, including a particular instance of co-production you are especially interested in researching (no more than 5 pages double spaced).
4. A dissertation abstract (250 words).
5. A writing sample (no more than 25 pages double-spaced).
6. The names and contact information of three recommenders.
7. An official transcript.
All applicants will be considered for appointment at both host institutions. Candidates who wish to be considered for only one of the host institutions should indicate this in their cover letter. All application materials should be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to h...@ias.edu. Unsolicited additional materials will not be considered.
The deadline for submission of application materials is March 31, 2022, however late applications may be considered if the positions have not been filled.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The Institute for Advanced Study and the University of Bern are equal opportunity institutions encouraging a diverse pool of applicants. We believe in the inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a diverse workforce will bring a wider array of perspectives to our scholarly communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are communities of intellectual inquiry resolutely committed to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Please note that proof of COVID-19 vaccination and COVID-19 booster is required to work on the Institute for Advanced Study campus.
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Byzantine Art/Archaeology, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library – deadline 1stFebruary
Dumbarton Oaks is a research institute affiliated with Harvard University that supports research internationally in the field of Byzantine Studies. In addition to world-renowned library and museum collections, Dumbarton Oaks’ Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives (ICFA) holds more than a million unique items in a variety of media, including extensive material relating to the art and architecture of the late Antique and Medieval eastern Mediterranean. Dumbarton Oaks invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a team working to create comprehensive access to photographic and archival documentation of the Byzantine world held by ICFA.
The Post-Doctoral Fellow in Byzantine Art/Archaeology will receive training in archival processing and digital curation and will support digitization initiatives to increase access to ICFA collections for scholars and the public. The Fellow will be fully integrated into the Library and Byzantine Studies Program and will work closely with staff and Dumbarton Oaks researchers. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will assist the Image Collection and Fieldwork Archives (ICFA) with processing, cataloging, and interpreting these collections. To date, much of the exhaustive documentation produced by the Byzantine Institute of America, including its work at Hagia Sophia, has been published in Harvard’s HOLLIS Images platform alongside documentation of San Marco in Venice and late Antique and medieval monuments in Syria. Collections awaiting online publication include extensive architectural studies of Hagia Sophia created by Robert van Nice, photographic documentation of monuments in Anatolia, the Levant and North Africa, and mosaics throughout the north Adriatic. Dumbarton Oaks is contributing content to open access platforms and is also exploring artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision techniques to enhance access to photographic collections. Outcomes of the fellowship may include scholarly publications on Byzantine art, architecture, and archaeology as well as contributions to digital humanities and further expansion of the online gateway to the Byzantine collections of ICFA. This fellowship offers unique opportunities to build career skills in special collections and digital technologies while benefiting from the unique resources of Dumbarton Oaks. The Fellow will participate fully in Dumbarton Oaks’ dynamic community of scholars and programming in Byzantine Studies and will devote 20% of the fellowship time to personal research.
Qualifications:
· PhD in Art History or Archaeology with a specialization in Byzantine Studies.
· Demonstrated experience working with Byzantine art and architecture through archaeological excavation, museum curation, or other demonstrable close study and engagement.
· Excellent research skills, particularly in the use of archival and photographic collections.
Preferred:
· Experience in a research library, archive, special collection, museum, or comparable environment.
· Strong computer skills, including experience using relational databases, collection management software, and electronic library resources.
· Experience with digital photography or digitization of photographs, slides, negatives, and other media, including photo editing software.
Term: This is a one-year fellowship, with the possibility of renewal for two additional years. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will have access to the outstanding resources of the institute and become part of the larger research community at Dumbarton Oaks. The Fellowship carries a stipend of $65,000 per year and the health insurance plan available to Fellows.
Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2022, to Fellowshi...@doaks.org. Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, a statement of interest describing their professional and academic experience (1000 words) and should secure two letters of recommendation, to be sent under separate cover directly by the recommender to: Fellowshi...@doaks.org. The Fellowship will begin on July 1, 2022. Applicants must have fulfilled all the requirements for the PhD by the time of application and must have received the PhD no later than June 30, 2022, and no earlier than July 31, 2018.
Dumbarton Oaks is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).
Postdoctoral Fellowships, 2022/2023, Dan David Society of Fellows, Tel Aviv
The Dan David Society of Fellows aims to support outstanding postdoctoral research in the study of the past. The Society’s two-year postdoctoral fellowship provides generous funding for international and Israeli scholars, to pursue innovative research at the highest level while enjoying the professional mentorship of faculty members at Tel Aviv University. Candidates who have completed their PhD in any discipline involved in the study of the past, including but not limited to history, archaeology, history of the arts, history of education, history of science and medicine, physical anthropology, literature and digital humanities are eligible to apply.
Researchers who have completed their PhD at Tel Aviv University are not eligible for the Fellowship. Candidates must have their PhD degree in hand no earlier than October 1, 2017 and no later than September 1, 2022 (applicants who were on maternity leave are entitled to add an extra year for each child born since receiving the PhD degree). The fellowship will be awarded without regard to ethnicity, religion, gender or age.
Up to four fellowships will be awarded for a maximum of two years each, beginning on October 1, 2022. The renewal of the fellowship for the second year will be subject to review by the Society’s Academic Committee at the end of the first year. Fellows will be asked to spend at least three days a week at Tel Aviv University and to become part of the scholarly community of the university’s Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of the Arts. They will be required to fully participate in the activities of the Dan David Society of Fellows, including a twice-monthly seminar dedicated to cutting-edge methodologies and historiographic approaches, and to present their research to the other fellows once a year. The program’s academic activities will all be conducted in English.
Fellows will receive an annual scholarship of $40,000. Fellows who are not Israeli citizens will also be entitled to partially subsidized on-campus housing.
Applications should include the following documents in English: CV (including a list of publications); a statement of research plans (max. 5 pages); summary of PhD dissertation (max. 1 page); and 3 letters of recommendation (one from the applicant’s doctoral supervisor).
To apply, please fill in the form: https://en-humanities.tau.ac.il/dan-david-fellows-form
NEH Summer Institute - Middle East Christianity: A Historic and Living Tradition
Middle East Christianity: A Historic and Living Tradition – NEH Summer Institute | June 5-25 2022 | Bradley University | Peoria, IL
Intended for university and college faculty, this institute focuses on the history and culture of Middle Eastern Christians in the Middle East and American society. This three-week institute will guide educators in developing curricula on Middle Eastern Christianity in its broadest senses. Participants will work with specialists from various humanistic disciplines who will share their expertise on religion, language, culture, and inter-religious dynamics in historical and contemporary contexts. The Institute includes educational visits to Arab Christian communities in central Illinois. This institute will be held in-person.
Institute objectives:
· Foster interdisciplinary scholarly relationships
· Develop curricula based on primary sources from a variety of disciplines
· Cultivate a pedagogical community for sharing and innovating teaching
· methods
Participants will receive a stipend of $2,850. Higher education faculty and advanced graduate students of all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Details & Application: https://bradley.edu/middle-east-christianity
Inquiries: Jason Zaborowki, project co-director, (309) 677-2444
Email: NEH_Mideast_...@bradley.edu
Job opportunity: Head of World Collections, Cambridge University Libraries, deadline: 31 January 2022
A unique position has arisen to develop strategy, curate and lead the service offering for research collections at Cambridge University Libraries (CUL).
CUL is now recruiting to the new role of Head of World Collections to lead the curation and strategic development of a key area of its collections and activities. Reporting within the Research Collections Directorate, and leading a dedicated team, the Head of World Collections will drive the development of collecting strategy in their area, and ensure the provision of excellent and highly-focussed services to our users. They will work closely with library, archive and academic staff to create a coherent approach that reflects education and research needs, with the aim of diversifying our collections and curatorial practices. The Head of World Collections will also oversee the expert curatorial input into funding bids for collaborative research projects arising from the collections. There is an expectation that this will include research and documentation into collection provenance and the opportunity to increase engagement with representative communities, locally, nationally and globally. The post-holder will be expected to review the current resource for world collections, identify gaps in provision, challenge obsolete practices and approaches, redirect activity and introduce new functions as required.
The Head of World Collections will be an experienced and dynamic collection, change, and people manager, with responsibility for forming and developing a new departmental structure and culture. They will be expected to have a curatorial and linguistic specialism in one of the collection areas covered by the World Collections function.
Cambridge University Libraries is one of the world’s foremost university and research libraries. With approximately 8 million volumes, 120,000 e-journal titles, and over 50 linear km of Special Collections, it is a major scholarly resource, both for the University of Cambridge, and for researchers nationally and internationally.
A network of over 30 libraries, with the historic University Library at its heart, CUL serves resident members of the University, a local, national and international public, and a global scholarly audience. A UK legal deposit library for over 300 years, and a National Research Library, the University Library is also an Accredited Archive. Its Special Collections have been Designated by Arts Council England, as ‘one of the world’s great collections of global documentary cultural heritage’. CUL’s holdings cover every conceivable area of human endeavour, written across three thousand years, and in over two thousand languages, and they include manuscripts, maps, music, rare printed material, thousands of personal and institutional archives, as well as very substantial digital holdings.
Apply for this position here. The deadline for completed applications is 23.59 GMT, 31 January 2022.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 23rd January 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
A message from the organisers of the 2022 SPBS Symposium
Dear Colleagues, dear Friends,
We are writing with an update on the upcoming 2022 SPBS Spring Symposium on Material Religion in Byzantium and Beyond.
After much consultation and deliberation, we have decided to postpone this year’s Spring Symposium to the Spring of 2023. Although we regret not being able to meet this year, continuing COVID19-related uncertainties and restrictions in the UK and beyond put the feasibility of meeting in person in doubt, and it has proved impossible to organise a viable hybrid format at this relatively short notice. We will post an announcement of the revised dates shortly.
Mindful that the 24th International Congress of Byzantine Studies meets in August 2022, the SPBS Executive Committee has agreed that there will be no symposium this year, and we are especially grateful to the University of Kent, the organisers of the Spring Symposium scheduled for the year after Oxford, who have generously agreed to defer their meeting to 2024.
We are looking forward to welcoming you all in Oxford in the Spring of 2023.
Symposiarchs
Jaś Elsner, Ine Jacobs, Julia Smith
Spring 2022 Seminar Series
Our weekly seminars showcase the work-in-progress of postgraduate students and recent graduates of all disciplines working within the Late Antique and Medieval periods. Papers are twenty minutes long, followed by ten to fifteen minutes of questions.
This term our seminars will be on the theme of Exploring Environment from the Late Antique to the Medieval.We will hold the seminars biweekly on Mondays at 6:15 pm on Collaborate, so like our Facebook page (@lampsedinburgh) or join our mailing list (e-mail us at lampsed...@gmail.com ) for access to the link each week.
Monday, 7 Feb.
James Cogbill, University of Oxford
Imperial Relatives in the Fourteenth-Century Byzantine Provincial Landscape
Monday, 21 Feb.
María del Carmen Muñoz Rodríguez, University of Seville An Ecofeminist Reading of Grendel’s Mother
Monday, 7 March.
Ben Hatchett, University of Cambridge
‘Ut renovetur orbis’: The development of John of Rupescissa’s apocalyptic representation of the Black Death
Monday, 21 March.
Emily Fu, University of Edinburgh
The Place of the Iona Crosses
Monday, 4 April.
Adrienn Orosz, Eötvös Loránd University
The Environment of the Letter. Medium,Arrangement and Temporality of Initials Illuminated with the Temptations of Christ in Romanesque and Gothic Psalters from England and France
Online lecture: ‘The King’s Rollodex’, by Sonja Drimmer, Bard Graduate Center’s The Global Middle Ages Seminar, 9 February 2022, 12.15pm (ET) / 5.15pm (GMT)
Sonja Drimmer will present Bard Graduate Center’s The Global Middle Ages Seminar on Wednesday, February 9, at 12.15pm (ET)/5:15pm (GMT). Her online talk is entitled “The King’s Rollodex.”
A persistent myth in the history of the book in the west is that the roll gave way to the codex. This idea is often encountered in the prepositional formula, “from roll to codex,” as ubiquitous as the phrase “from manuscript to print.” Over the last two decades, an efflorescence of scholarship devoted to the abundant variety of scrolls and rolls in medieval Europe has offered welcome pushback to this supersessionist model of book history. Yet, the roll and the codex were not the only formats available for the book arts of the Middle Ages.
Focusing on a recent acquisition made by the Metropolitan Museum of Art—a manuscript genealogy of King Edward IV that is both roll and codex—this talk will examine the political significance of codicological diversity during the Wars of the Roses. Nearly one hundred genealogical rolls survive from fifteenth-century England, across which scribes and illuminators fashioned remarkably experimental approaches to the narration of genealogical history, approaches that defy our own genealogical narrative of the history of the book. Public doubts about the monarch’s legitimacy, pragmatic considerations about the physical presentation of history, and the robust scribal infrastructure required to proliferate genealogies combined to drive this experimentation, which rests largely on the different affordances of each medium produced.
This talk is part of a larger project that examines a variety of reproducible media that preceded movable type as political discourse in visual and material form in late medieval England. None of the objects considered in this project—from livery badges and coins to heraldry, genealogical rolls and, horribly, the bodies of the decapitated and the lists that bear their names—were new media. Yet in the quantity, manner, and contexts of their production, distribution, and display, they threatened the foundations of the social and economic affiliations they forged. What does it mean when the most potent media for political discourse are themselves the instruments of doubt and suspicion? And why is it important to recognize the role of pre-print reproduction in this history?
Sonja Drimmer is Associate Professor of Medieval Art in the department of the history of art and architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the author of The Art of Allusion: Illuminators and the Making of English Literature, 1403-1476 (University of Pennsylvania, 2018), which was awarded High Commendation for Exemplary Scholarship from the Historians of British Art. Recently, she edited a special issue of Digital Philology (2020), “Manual Impressions: Visualizing Print in Manuscript, Europe c.1450-1850.” Her articles have appeared in Gesta, the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Viator, Exemplaria and elsewhere. She is currently at work on a second book, Political Visuality: Reproduction, Representation, and the Wars of the Roses.
Register for Sonja Drimmer’s online lecture here. The event will be held on Zoom, and will be live with automatic captions.
Spring School “Local archaeologies and their interdisciplinary practices” to be held at the New Europe College Institute for Advanced Study, Bucharest, 9-15 May 2022
A Spring School in the framework of the international research program The Construction of Knowledge in Archaeology and Art History in Southeastern Europe, Getty Foundation and the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia
Host: New Europe College Institute for Advanced Study, Bucharest, 9-15 May 2022
In Southeastern Europe, where the political interventions and pressures, exerted by political regimes of different ideological strands, have debilitated many disciplines, especially the social sciences and the humanities, state and other financing agencies show an increased concern for scientific knowledge. For a research project to receive financial support, it would seem that the creative potential of single disciplines is not enough: interdisciplinarity is required. Learning from other ways of thinking and doing research has always been very important for the development of the disciplines, since their beginnings. But now we are confronted with something different, which encourages archaeologists to get answers to old unexamined questions from the hard sciences, mostly about the origins and movements of the imaginary groups that give meaning to culture-historical archaeology, thus leaving their discipline unchanged. We plan to explore this situation and the scientific and political underpinnings of the relations between disciplines.
The Spring School will consist of three days of lectures (9-11 May), one day dedicated to a workshop (12 May), one to a colloquium (13 May) and two days for visiting museums (14-15 May). The lectures will offer comprehensive introductions to the current discussion on interdisciplinarity, beyond the limited scope of archaeological research, assessments of its current scientific and political prominence, and analyses of particular sets of disciplinary practices and of their consequences for the discipline. They will examine the relations between the disciplinary methods and the novelties borrowed from other disciplines, focusing on why archaeologists think that only some topics have to gain from interdisciplinary engagements. Among the assumptions that will be discussed are the local character of interdisciplinary engagements, born and developed in specific circumstances that might be crucial in explaining their outcomes, and the role of scientism, understood as uncritical acceptance of the relevance and authority of the hard sciences. The lecturers are Adrian Currie, Senior Lecturer in philosophy at the University of Exeter; Whitney Davis, Professor of History and Theory of Ancient and Modern Art at the University of California, Berkeley; Chris Gosden, Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford; Lisa Nevett, Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Michigan; Nona Palincaș and Gheorghe Alexandru Niculescu, senior researchers at the Vasile Pârvan Institute of Archaeology, Bucharest. The workshop, titled “What can archaeologists and art historians learn from each other?”, will offer to art historians and archaeologists of different persuasions the opportunity to discuss about research practices, which might be of common interest. The colloquium will be dedicated to how the junior participants have confronted interdisciplinary challenges in their research. During the last two days of the Spring School, we will have gallery classes at the National Museum of Romanian History and at the National Museum of Art of Romania. The visitation of each museum will be followed by presentations made by curators, centered on their intentions and solutions to what they perceived to be problematic and by discussion.
We invite applications from doctoral archaeology and art-history students, recent PhDs and young faculty members (within eight years from obtaining their degree). Applicants (who must be fluent in English) should submit a personal statement of up to 1000 words detailing their research, as well as their reasons for wishing to attend (we expect their research to be related to the theme of the School); a recent cv; a copy of their most recent degree in archaeology, art history or a related discipline; and an abstract of up to 500 words of the specific paper they wish to present at the colloquium. Applicants must be able to demonstrate an academic and/or professional engagement with archaeology or art history in Southeastern Europe.
Successful applicants will be expected to attend all lectures, workshops, group discussions, gallery classes, and any other School meeting or event, as well as present a 20’-paper of their own at the colloquium. It is hoped that these papers will eventually lead to publishable academic articles or significant portions of the participants’ PhD theses.
This Spring School is organized in the framework of an international research Program on archaeological theory and practice, The Construction of Knowledge in Archaeology and Art History in Southeastern Europe, funded by the Getty Foundation as part of its Connecting Art Histories Initiative and coordinated and administered by the Centre for Advanced Study Sofia. Our aim is to explore the regional intellectual potential for change in archaeological theory and practice over the course of three years (2021-2023); we envisage the program as an opportunity to discuss the research directions archaeologists active in the region wish to follow, and the implications paradigm shifts might have for the ways the region’s past is understood.
Funding: The School is fully funded; successful applicants will have their airfare and accommodation covered by the Program, and will receive a per diem of 43 USD.
What to do and when: Prospective applicants should send their queries and application materials to Milena Varzonovtseva: varzon...@cas.bg, by 30 January 2022. Successful applicants will be notified by 20 February 2022.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
‘Philosophical Perspectives on Medieval Theories of Science’, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin, 27-28 September 2022 – deadline 14 February 2022
‘Medieval science’ is a fascinating object of study, both when viewed as a historical precondition of the rise of ‘modern science’, and when studied because its instances provide important examples of significantly different, yet highly sophisticated ways of thinking. However, those who wish to study particular instances of ‘medieval science’ in light of general philosophical reflections on science from the Middle Ages will not find much help in the recent literature: no general history of developments and shifts in medieval ‘theories of science’ is available, a state of affairs lamented already more than 50 years ago by Laurens Laudan, and again recently by Ana María Mora-Márquez.
Detailed and systematic studies on medieval ‘theories of science’ are, thus, scarce. This is regrettable as a robust evaluation of ‘medieval science’ will, at least in its details, depend on the precise shape which ‘theories of science’ took in the Middle Ages. We adopt here a very broad and inclusive working definition of a theory of science as a combination of both ‘scientific methods’ and of the ways in which these ‘methods’ relate to philosophical background assumptions (stemming, for instance, from metaphysics or natural philosophy). Moreover, we understand scientific methods as ‘the different ways in which it was possible for [medieval scholars] to produce knowledge that is rational, objective, and based on evidence’, following a working definition proposed by Mora-Márquez. Such scientific methods clearly include logical tools and mathematical techniques, but also those procedural rules and practical guidelines that were upheld as rational.
We want to bring together scholars with an interest in these kinds of theories of science in the Middle Ages. Our perspective is philosophical: we focus on the (epistemological and ontological) reasons behind, the arguments for, and the rational concepts within particular methodological views. While our focus is narrow in this sense, we do not want to impose restrictions on the material studied. In particular, our ‘Middle Ages’ include the Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, and Latin traditions of medieval philosophy. Moreover, case studies need not be limited to the canon of the history of philosophy and logic, and we also welcome and encourage contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including theology, intellectual history, the history of science, and the history of art.
Contributing papers will consider medieval theories of science and its philosophical implications, and might consist in particular case studies, or reflect more broadly on theoretical issues. Questions addressed by the papers might include but are not restricted to:
· Where can explicit discussions of theories of science be found? Are these limited to logical writings? Which issues were particularly scrutinized in the medieval philosophical debate?
· What is the place of methodologies that were constructed analogically, i.e., practices (e.g., artistic practices) structured in analogy to philosophical or scientific methods?
· Can the interpretation of philosophical, (proto-)scientific, religious, or artistic practices in the Middle Ages benefit from a better understanding of medieval theories of science? Do such practices, in turn, illuminate the ideals behind the methods themselves?
· Are medieval theories of science abstract catchalls, or is there room for domain-specificity? Is the notion of ‘domain’ itself part of discussions in the Middle Ages? If so, can the concept of ‘domain’ be fruitfully applied to other branches of medieval culture such as art?
· Are medieval theories of science valuable interlocutors for more recent philosophy of science? To what extent can they provide transformative contrasts to contemporary philosophical assumptions?
· To what extent do answers to all these questions depend on the methodologies employed by us (as philosophers, theologians, intellectual historians, historians of science, or historians of art)? Can our answers benefit from a critique of these (historiographical or exegetical) methodologies?
Over the course of two days, we aim to hold several panels with two to three twenty-minute papers each, as well as keynote lectures of forty minutes each.
Submission: We are inviting proposals for papers of twenty-minute length. Please send abstracts of up to 500 words with CVs (as well as any inquiries) to medieval.theor...@gmail.com by 14 February 2022.
Organisers: Yael Barash (Cohn Institute for the History of Science and Ideas, Tel Aviv), Dominic Dold (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin), Gerd Micheluzzi (Department of Art History, University of Hamburg)
Updates and confirmed speakers: for updates and a list of confirmed speakers, please consult the event website: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/event/philosophical-perspectives-medieval-theories-science
‘Transitions’, Postgraduate Conference 2022, University of Bristol and online, 29-30 April 2022, deadline: 28 February 2022
After the success of the 2021 ‘Rules and Regulations’ and ‘Disruption’ Conference, the committee for the Centre for Medieval Studies Postgraduate Conference invites you to yet another highly topical conference in the longest-standing medievalist PGR conference series: the 2022 Transitions Conference.
The principle of transition management in our global pandemic has become a highly relevant approach aiming to facilitate and accelerate sustainable transitions affecting workplace, politics, social interactions, and health.
How are such principles of transitions to be observed in the manifold institutions, organisations, cultures, etc., in medieval Britain, Europe, and beyond? How are those transitions represented in the many disciplines related to medieval studies from Musicology, History, Art History, Religion and Theology, Linguistics, Literature, to Law and Medicine, and how can our society profit from those observations today?
Suggested topics include, but are not limited to:
· Language Change and Related Phenomena
· Translations and Genre Boundaries
· Gender and Sexuality
· Social Mobility
· Initiation
· Mode and Modulation
· Christianisation and Cultural Adaptation of Religious Systems
· From Local and Trans-National Christian Identities to National Identities
· Migration, Travel, and Pilgrimages
· Dynastic and Administrative Transition
· Stylistic Changes and Adaptation
We welcome abstracts from postgraduates and early-career researchers, exploring aspects and different approaches to the spectrum of transitions in all relevant disciplines pertaining to the medieval period, broadly construed c.500-c.1500. (300 words for 20-minute papers)
Based on current government guidelines, we are planning to hold the conference as a hybrid event online and on the campus of the University of Bristol.
Deadline for submissions: 28 February 2022.
Please send abstracts and enquiries to cms-conferen...@bristol.ac.uk
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Job: Assistant Research Scholar, Digital Projects
Assistant Research Scholar, Digital Projects
New York University: NYU - NY: Division of Libraries
Location: New York, NY
Open Date: Nov 17, 2021
https://apply.interfolio.com/99046
Description: the Library of Institute for the Study of the Ancient World (ISAW) at New York University seeks an Assistant Research Scholar (ARS) to help develop and support its growing portfolio of digital projects and services and to participate in the scholarly life of the ISAW community. A key component of the ISAW Library’s mission is to provide access to and support for new and innovative forms of digital scholarship, scholarly communication, and pedagogy in ancient studies. The ARS will help the ISAW Library fulfill this charge by collaborating with a diverse group of academic professionals at ISAW and other schools and divisions of NYU on the development and support of some or all of the following types of projects and services: digital libraries; digital publications; open linked-data projects; digital mapping; archaeological databases; and the digital preservation of ancient studies data and scholarship. The ARS will have the opportunity to contribute to the design and support of digital humanities curricula and public programming at ISAW. Finally, in addition to publishing and presenting on ISAW digital projects and services in appropriate academic and industry venues, the Assistant or Associate Research Scholar will be encouraged to pursue an independent research agenda in any area of ancient studies, information science, digital humanities, or at the intersection of any of these fields.
Term: the Assistant Research Scholar is a full-time continuing appointment, reporting to the Head of the ISAW Library.
Duties: Under the supervision of the Head of the ISAW Library, the Assistant Research Scholar will:
· Participate in the planning, implementation, support, and ongoing development of ISAW digital projects and services
· Write and document code for ISAW digital projects, databases, and web applications
· Work closely with ISAW colleagues, staff, and faculty to help develop and provide high-quality instruction and research support for the ISAW community
· Contribute to the design and supervision of internships and graduate student practica at ISAW related to digital projects, computational humanities, digital libraries, and digital publishing
· Participate in the identification of, application to, and fulfillment of grant-funded projects related to the digital humanities, digital libraries, and/or digital publishing
· Participate in the planning and organization of public programming related to the digital humanities, digital libraries, and/or digital publishing
Qualifications
· Graduate degree in a field related to ISAW’s academic mission or an MLIS
· Experience with metadata processing, batch-loading, and transformation tools, such as MarcEdit, Oxygen XML Editor, OpenRefine, or other similar tools
· Familiarity with a programming language, such as Python, R, Java, and/or Ruby
· Familiarity with collaborative open-source development using tools such as GitHub
· Familiarity with emerging trends in resource description, access, and open scholarly practices
· Excellent interpersonal, communication, project management, and instructional skills
· Ability to work both independently and as part of a team of mixed professionals in an academic environment
Preferred not required:
· A PhD in a field related to ISAW’s academic mission
· Two or more years of experience with a digital humanities research or resource project
· Familiarity with metadata in a digital library environment and/or traditional MARC-based systems
· Experience with library uses of non-MARC metadata schemas and their applications, such as Linked Open Data (LOD), MODS, RDF, and XML
· Experience with digital mapping and major tools (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, Leaflet)
· Experience with digital imaging and on-line dissemination of imagery (e.g., IIIF)
· Ability to work with a web framework (e.g., Flask, Django, Ruby on Rails) or a static website generator (e.g., Jekyll)
· Working knowledge of one or more of the modern or ancient languages relevant to the areas of study at ISAW
· Experience in archaeological field projects, museum curation, or other types of material culture projects
Application Instructions: We would love to hear from you! To ensure consideration, submit your resume and letter of application, including the contact information of three professional references. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Faculty Fellowship in Roman History Department of Classics–New York University
The Department of Classics at New York University invites applications for a one-year position as Faculty Fellow in Roman History, beginning September 1, 2022, subject to pending budgetary and administrative approval.
Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. no earlier than five years before the date of appointment and have a strong commitment to teaching. The teaching load is 1-2: the courses to be taught will include a large introductory-level lecture course on the history of Rome from the death of Caesar to late antiquity. For information about the department, please visit http://classics.as.nyu.edu/page/home.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications received by February 18, 2022 will receive the fullest consideration. To apply, submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a sample of scholarly writing (c.20 pages). Please apply to the position using the following link: apply.interfolio.com/100961. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed over Zoom. Any inquiries may be directed to the chair of the committee, Professor David Levene (D.S.L...@nyu.edu).
The Faculty of Arts and Science at NYU is at the heart of a leading research university that spans the globe. We seek scholars of the highest caliber who embody the diversity of the United States as well as the global society in which we live. We strongly encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other individuals who are under-represented in the profession, across color, creed, race, ethnic and national origin, physical ability, gender, and sexual identity, or any other legally protected basis. NYU affirms the value of differing perspectives on the world as we strive to build the strongest possible university with the widest reach. To learn more about our commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion, please read here http://as.nyu.edu/departments/facultydiversity.html EOE/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.
Job opportunity: Copy editor for Gesta, deadline 15 February 2022
The academic journal Gesta, published by the University of Chicago Press for the International Center of Medieval Art (ICMA), seeks to retain an independent contractor for a position as copy editor to work closely with the coeditors of the journal on the copyediting and proofreading of two issues per year (with four or five articles totaling approximately 70,000 words per issue).
The copy editor should be familiar with North American practices and standards for scholarly publishing, and must have at least two years’ experience copyediting scholarship in art history. Applicants should submit: (1) a cover letter, (2) a resumé, and (3) an example of a copyedited text (with footnotes or endnotes) in which editing is displayed with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes function. Please send the materials by email to the editors, Susan Boynton and Diane J. Reilly, at ge...@medievalart.org. Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2022.
The ICMA is dedicated to the support of the study, understanding, and preservation of visual and material cultures produced primarily between ca. 300 CE and ca. 1500 CE in every corner of the medieval world. The organization embraces diversity in all forms, serving a membership of scholars with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, religious beliefs, and gender identities, among other factors. We encourage applications from candidates committed to forging and sustaining the ICMA’s multifaceted diversity and to being part of a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed. For information on the ICMA, please visit www.medievalart.org.
Compensation negotiable according to experience. This position is remote with varied hours. No fringe benefits.
Deadline for applications: February 15, 2022.
Send application materials to ge...@medievalart.org.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 30th January 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
IHR Earlier Middle Ages seminar spring term programme
9 February Abigail Firey (University of Kentucky), “Playing with Precedent: Carolingian strategies for updating old law”.
Book here: https://www.history.ac.uk/events/playing-precedent-carolingian-strategies-updating-old-law
23 February Nick Evans (King’s College London), “Insatiable Greed: Byzantine Economic Anthropology after Antiquity”.
Book here: https://www.history.ac.uk/events/insatiable-greed-byzantine-economic-anthropology-after-antiquity
9 March ‘Books of the Pandemic’: an actual party in real life! and with masks, celebrating books published during the pandemic by members of the seminar group.
IHR Wolfson Conference Suite, in the basement (some things in life don’t change).
Paul Fouracre, Eternal Light And Earthly Concerns (2021);
Caroline Goodson, Cultivating the City in Early Medieval Italy (2021);
Ed Zychowicz-Coghill, The First Arabic Annals (2021)
Kate Cooper and Jamie Wood eds, Social Control in Late Antiquity (2020)
Robert Gallagher, Edward Roberts, and Francesca Tinti eds, The Languages of Early Medieval Charters (2020)
Conor O’Brien, The Early Medieval Secular (Early Medieval Europe special issue, 2021)
…Followed by drinks, either in the IHR common room or at a pub nearby.
Book here: https://www.history.ac.uk/events/books-pandemic-a-celebration-real-life - all are warmly welcome, but places are limited to 35, so please only book tickets if you think you will actually use them. (If you need to cancel, please email ihr.e...@sas.ac.uk .) This event is, obviously, subject to cancellation depending on government guidance.
23 March Marie-Céline Isaïa (Lyon III), “The Writing of History: not why, but how (9th-10th c.), with a special focus on the Chronicle of Ado”.
Ewa Wipszycka's Warsaw Late Antique Seminar on Thursday, 27 January (4.45 Warsaw time), Mara Nicosia (Universiteit Gent), Syriac monastic schools and the teaching of rhetoric
On Thursday, 27 January (4.45 Warsaw time), at Ewa Wipszycka's Late Antique Seminar, Mara Nicosia (Universiteit Gent) will present a paper Syriac monastic schools and the teaching of rhetoric. We are meeting in-person in Room 209 at the Faculty of Law (UW main campus) but Zoom participation will also be possible at the this link.
The full programme for the next semester will be published soon the seminar's website.
L’architecture des établissements d’assistance charitable à destination des pauvres, des malades, des étrangers, des pèlerins, dans la province protobyzantine d’Arabie, jeudi 3 février 2022 de 14h à 16h
Dans le cadre du séminaire « Histoire urbaine de l’Orient romain tardif » (EPHE, PSL), Pauline Piraud-Fournet (Marie Skłodowska Curie/Paris 1, ArScAn) présentera une conférence intitulée: «L’architecture des établissements d’assistance charitable à destination des pauvres, des malades, des étrangers, des pèlerins, dans la province protobyzantine d’Arabie » jeudi 3 février 2022 de 14h à 16h en Sorbonne, salle D052
La conférence peut être suivie à distance : https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzlmMzNhN2ItYzZiMS00MjExLWIxYTEtZTM0MzZlZDcyMWNi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22970d5a38-c648-47a9-b305-9feb33e86cce%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229627c18b-5e07-485f-9314-28061c36db7c%22%7d
Contact : catherin...@ephe.psl.eu.
Online lecture: ‘Syriac Villages in the Tur Abdin: A Microhistory of the Medieval Middle East’, Marica Cassis (University of Calgary), 15 February 2022, 12pm (EST), 5pm (GMT)
Marica Cassis, University of Calgary, considers the significance of colonialism in the study of Tur Abdin, the importance of microhistory in understanding archaeological material, and the overall underdiscussed material present in the region.
While scholarly work on the churches of the Tur Abdin dates back to the work of Gertrude Bell, and subsequently continued off and on through the twentieth century, the focus of most research has consistently been the churches in the region. However, churches are the heart of communities, whether villages or monasteries, and need to be considered as part of the whole. What has not been considered in detail is the importance of contextualizing churches in the villages and cities in the region, both in terms of the material remains and the literary sources.
This paper is meant to start a discussion about the significance of colonialism in the study of this region, the importance of microhistory in understanding archaeological material, and the overall underdiscussed material present in the Tur Abdin.
Marica Cassis is the Head of Classics and Religion at the University of Calgary. She specializes in the Late Roman, Byzantine, and Syriac past in Anatolia. Professor Cassis is the director of the SSHRC-funded Byzantine excavations at Çadır Höyük, a multi-period site in Yozgat province Turkey. She also works on the intersection of colonialism, orientalism, and gender theory with Byzantine and Syriac archaeology, considering new ways of reconsidering the material to provide a more nuanced view of the past.
This lecture will take place live on Zoom, 15 February 2022 at 12pm EST, followed by a question and answer period. Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Thalia Potamianos Annual Lecture Series
About the Thalia Potamianos Annual Lecture Series: Established in June 2020, the Thalia Potamianos Annual Lectures Series on the Impact of Greek Culture seeks to create a stimulating environment to draw both the academic community and the general public to the Gennadius Library of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. The Thalia Potamianos lectures are being made possible by a generous grant from Phokion Potamianos, an Overseer of the Gennadius Library. Mr. Potamianos named the series in memory of his grandmother, a distinguished Greek doctor, academic, and philanthropist. This series of lectures aim to examine the role that Greece, Greek culture, literature, and language have played over the course of more than two and a half millennia. Rather than exploring the familiar and limited Mediterranean context, they are looked at from a global perspective, allowing not only a better understanding of world history but of Greece itself. Every year, a highly distinguished, internationally renowned scholar will be selected to conduct research and develop programs on a topic relevant to the Gennadius Library. The research will culminate in a minimum of three annual public “keystone” lectures, which will be delivered at Athens, Greece and the United States. These talks will be accompanied by publications, podcasts, and other appropriate media to maximize exposure and engagement.
Peter Frankopan's Selection as Inaugural Speaker: Dr. Peter Frankopan has been selected as the inaugural speaker. His first lecture entitled "Greece: Beginnings” was delivered on October 7, 2021 in the American School’s auditorium Cotsen Hall and covered the period c.7000BC-end of the classical world. The second lecture "Greece: Legacies" will cover the period from c.630-c.1600 and will be delivered on March 16, 2022, Washington, D.C. (venue to be determined), while the third and final "Greece: Futures" will cover the period from 1600 to the present day and take place on May 10, 2022 at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York City.
Talks Summary: The story of Greece and the Greeks has been told for thousands of years by some of the most important and elegant voices in human history: poets, philosophers and scholars thought deeply about how and why a culture in the Aegean became so vibrant and successful. These voices all had one thing in common. They looked at their own world from the inside out; some, like Herodotus, took a great interest in other parts of the world. But for many, the non-Hellenic world was one of threats and dangers, of rivalry. These lectures will tell a different story of Hellenic civilisation. They will look at the connections, that mean we should understand Greece and Greek culture within a much wider context, linked to Africa, to the Middle East and to Asia. They will explore how Greek ideas and thought were formed by influences, borrowings and competition from other cultures – and equally, how others borrowed from Greece, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. The talks will paint the history of Greece and its peoples on a canvas covering thousands of years, from the Neolithic to the classical world, from Byzantium to the 21st century. In doing so, it will consider the importance of the role of warfare, of inequality and gender, of climate change, pandemic disease, and of course arts and culture.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Passions and the Mystical: between Affecting and Being Affected’, International Conference, Nijmegen, Titus Brandsma Institute, 1-2 December 2022 – deadline: 18 March 2022
It is a pleasure to invite you to Passions and the Mystical: between Affecting and Being Affected. The conference is jointly organized by the Mystical Theology Network (MTN) and the Titus Brandsma Institute of the Radboud University (TBI) and will take place in Nijmegen on 1-2 December, 2022. The aim of this conference is to bring together theologians, religious studies scholars, philosophers, literary scholars, historians and scholars working in related fields to discuss and map out the wider semantic field of the ‘passion(s)’ across mystical traditions.
Topics for proposals include, but are not limited to:
· Relationship between passions and emotions in mystical texts.
· Mystical passions and the history of emotions.
· Critical close-readings of mystical texts from various traditions focusing on ‘passions’.
· Comparative studies of passions across mystical traditions.
· Mysticism, Gender and Passions.
· Conceptualization of the notions of passivity/agency, consent, effort and grace and their interrelations in the mystical tradition.
· The influence of philosophical discourses on the passions on mystical authors and, vice versa, the influence of mystical discourses on philosophical passion theories (Descartes, Pascal…).
· Reception and critique of mystical discourses on the Passion and the passions in recent non-mystical (theological, philosophical, literary, historical etc.) authors.
· Passions and intimacy in the mystical reception of the Song of Songs, Kabbalah, etc.
· Influence of mystical passions on modern artistic practices and theories.
· Persistence of mystical passions within political and social engagements, including issues of race and gender.
The deadline to submit abstracts is Friday March 18th, 2022. Proposals are accepted in English, Dutch, French and German. Please send your abstract to stefaan....@titusbrandsmainstituut.nl
All proposals should include:
· Full name
· Current institution and/or academic affiliation
· Title of the paper of Project
· Proposal (up to 350 words)
We invite the following proposals:
Paper proposal — A proposal for presenting a short (20 minute) original paper.
Session proposal — A proposal for a session or roundtable where different papers are
presented on a common theme and emphasis is placed on shared discourse. Session proposals
should include abstract, name of presider, list of panelists or respondents.
For more information, visit the Titus Brandsma Institute (Research centre for mysticism and spirituality) website.
For any enquiries, please contact: Lieven De Maeyer lieven....@titusbrandsmainstituut.nl or Stefaan Neirynck stefaan....@titusbrandsmainstituut.nl
International Conference on St. Symeon the New Theologian Volos, 26-29 May 2022
On the occasion of the millinery anniversary of the dormition of St. Symeon, the New Theologian (1022-2022), the Volos Academy for Theological Studies organizes an international conference to commemorate his personality, thought, and contribution to Orthodox theology and spirituality, which will take place in Volos, Greece, in a physical form, from 26 to 29 May 2022, in compliance with all the enforced by the European and state sanitary measures.
This conference aims to bring together scholars who have made important contributions to the study of the work of St. Symeon the New Theologian and its reception from the philosophical, historical, philological and theological points of view. The following statement offers some possible topics but does not intend to exclude alternative issues. The renewed interest in the study of the work and the thought of St. Symeon during the last decades has highlighted a number of both timeless and topical issues concerning, one way or another, the entire Christian world. The relationship between institution and charisma or sacraments and asceticism; the understanding of faith and doctrinal teaching as the content of personal consciousness; the anthropology of deification and the emergence of the Christian subject, as well as St. Symeon’s commitment to the ecclesial body are only some of the aspects of the relevant and on-going discussion. To rearrange these issues based on the critical and prophetic character of theology demands a creative and fruitful reflection, with the self-evident inclusion of the particularities of our times, in the perspective of the authentic experience of the life in Christ in the context of our current post-modern reality.
Junior and early career scholars are, therefore, invited to submit proposals for short papers (15 min.) which preferably should be related to one of the thematic axes of the conference. Provisional title, abstract (max. 350 words) and a concise CV (max. 200 words) should be submitted to Dr. Nikos Kouremenos (nkour...@acadimia.org) by March 4, 2022. All proposals will be evaluated by a scientific committee. The working languages of the conference are English and Greek (with a simultaneous translation to be provided). The decision of acceptance will be communicated before the 1st of April 2022. Volos Academy will provide full accommodation to all accepted speakers – unfortunately, though, travel expenses will not be covered. After the conference, presenters will be invited to rework their presentations towards the publication of the conference proceedings which will be assessed through a peer-review procedure.
Call for contributions – Byzantine-related content for Mapping Eastern Europe
Mapping Eastern Europe is a platform intended to promote study, teaching, and research about Eastern Europe between the 13th and 17th centuries through historical and thematic overviews, case-studies and videos of monuments and objects, ongoing projects, as well as reviews of books and exhibitions.
This year, we are expanding our content with more Byzantine-related entries!
If you are interested in contributing to this project with a case study and/or a historical or thematic overview, please let us know by completing this FORM by February 15, 2022.
Please enter your name, affiliation, and email. In the comments section, specify the topic, title, and entry type (long-form case study, video case study, historical overview, or thematic overview) that you would be interested in submitting. Entries are in the range of 1000-2000 words, and video case studies are ~10min long.
We will make final decisions and will be in touch with each author by March 1, 2022. Authors will then be asked to follow a template, and entries will be thoroughly reviewed and edited prior to publication. Each author will receive a modest honorarium for each contribution. Final submissions will be due May 1, 2022.
Maria Alessia Rossi, PhD | Princeton University
Alice Isabella Sullivan, PhD | Tufts University
MLA panel: The Literary Mediterranean
CFP for MLA panel: The Literary Mediterranean January 2023, San Francisco
This panel invites proposals that rethink questions of Mediterranean connectivity in terms of (world) literature. Scholars are invited to conceptualize Mediterranean Studies beyond historical inquiry and consider literary possibilities.
250-300-word abstracts and bio to reem...@ucsb.edu.
Deadline for submissions: Monday, 14 March 2022
https://mla.confex.com/mla/2023/webprogrampreliminary/Paper19191.html
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
UPDATE: Post-Doctoral Fellow in Byzantine Art/Archaeology, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library – deadline extended to 1st March
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Byzantine Art/Archaeology, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library
Dumbarton Oaks’ Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives (ICFA) holds more than a million unique items in a variety of media, including extensive material relating to the art and architecture of the late Antique and Medieval eastern Mediterranean. Dumbarton Oaks invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a team working to create comprehensive access to photographic and archival documentation of the Byzantine world held by ICFA.
Learn more and apply online.
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Pre-Columbian Art/Archaeology, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library
Dumbarton Oaks’ Image Collections and Fieldwork Archives (ICFA) holds more than a million unique items in a variety of media, including extensive material relating to the language and ceramics of the ancient Maya elite. Dumbarton Oaks invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellow to join a team working to create comprehensive access to Justin Kerr’s systematic photographic documentation of ancient Maya painted ceramics.
Learn more and apply online.
Post-Doctoral Fellow in Plant Humanities
Since 2018, with funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, we have pursued an initiative in the emerging interdisciplinary field of the Plant Humanities, which explores the significance of plants to human cultures. A key outcome of the first phase was the Plant Humanities Lab, an open-access site that features visually engaging, interactive narratives on plants from a variety of perspectives. Dumbarton Oaks is committed to further developing and enhancing the site as a tool for innovative pedagogy, online sharing of collections, and communicating the importance of plants and multispecies interactions to a broad audience. As part of the Plant Humanities team, the Post-Doctoral Fellow will work closely with the study programs on joint events and scholarly content for the Plant Humanities Lab. The fellow will also interact with the Library, Museum, Gardens, Publications, and other departments at Dumbarton Oaks.
Learn more and apply online.
AIEB Grants for junior scholars
The AIEB is pleased to announce that it is able to offer a limited number of grants for junior scholars to participate at the 24th International Congress of Byzantine Studies, 22-27 August 2022 Venice/Padua, with a paper or poster presentation.
Amount: 500 EUR, payable to successful applicants via bank transfer (we regret that this is the ONLY method of transferring funds to those who are selected for an award).
Maximum number of grants: 50.
Eligibility: PhD Students in Byzantine Studies, and both non-affiliated and affiliated postdoctoral scholars in the field of Byzantine Studies. Applicants of all nationalities except permanent residents of Italy are eligible. Applicants should be under the age of 40 (born 1982 or later). Non-registered participants and those without a paper submitted by the appropriate deadlines (therefore not already included into the program) cannot receive a grant.
Please note: all deadlines having passed (see https://byzcongress2022.org/deadlines/), no new proposals can be accepted for free communications, posters and thematic sessions of free communications, or for round tables. Proposals submitted by these deadlines have been accepted and included in the program.
Process: All applicants whose paper, communication, poster, round table or other presentation has been accepted should first write to regist...@byzcongress2022.org and request a letter of confirmation of their participation. They should then submit to the selection committee at: schola...@aiebnet.gr a brief emailed request for support, together with the confirmation letter and other application documentation (see below). The subject line of the email should consist of the applicant name and the term byzgrant2022, for example: lefebvre byzgrant2022.
PhD students should include a signed letter of recommendation from their supervisor which also serves as a confirmation of their status; postdoctoral scholars should submit a signed recommendation letter from the director of their research program or from a senior scholar.
The letter of confirmation (1) should be accompanied by (2) their letter of recommendation, (3) a brief 1-page Curriculum Vitae and (4) a short abstract of their congress paper, communication or poster presentation (ca. 600 characters). All documents should be attached as pdf files to their brief email request for support. Please ensure that each file is clearly marked with your name.
Deadlines for applications: March 15th 2022. Successful grant recipients will be informed by April 5th 2022 (applicants who have not received notification by April 6th 2022 may assume that their application has not been successful). The deadline for registration and payment of the congress fee for successful applicants is April 30th 2022.
Scholarship: Belle Da Costa Greene Award, The Medieval Academy of America – deadline: 15 February 2022
The Medieval Academy of America will award the Belle Da Costa Greene Award of $2,000 annually to a medievalist of colour for research and travel. The award may be used to visit archives, attend conferences, or to facilitate writing and research.
Special consideration will be given to graduate students, emerging junior scholars, adjunct, and unaffiliated scholars. Applicants must be members in good standing of the Medieval Academy of America as of 15 January of the year in which they apply.
Belle Da Costa Greene (1883-1950) was a prominent art historian and the first manuscript librarian of the Pierpont Morgan collection. She was also the first known person of color and second woman to be elected a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America (1939).
According to the Morgan Library & Museum website, “Greene was barely twenty when Morgan hired her, yet her intelligence, passion, and self-confidence eclipsed her relative inexperience, [and] she managed to help build one of America’s greatest private libraries.” She was, just as importantly, a black woman who passed as white in order to gain entrance and acceptance into the racially fraught professional landscape of early twentieth-century New York. Her legacy highlights the professional difficulties faced by medievalists of color, the personal sacrifices they make in order to belong to the field, and their extraordinary contributions to Medieval Studies.
The deadline for applications is 15 February 2022.
The application will consist of a biographical form, CV, a one-page proposal, and a simple budget. Letters of recommendation (no more than two) are optional. So as not to burden the applicant, it is perfectly appropriate to include material and letters prepared for other grant applications. Applicants must be members in good standing of the Medieval Academy as of 15 January of the year in which they apply.
Click here to read about previous winners.
To apply, click here.
W.D.E. COULSON & TONI M. CROSS AEGEAN EXCHANGE PROGRAM – Deadline: March 15, 2022
W.D.E. Coulson and Toni M. Cross Aegean Exchange Program for Greek Ph.D. level graduate students and senior scholars in any field of the humanities and social sciences from prehistoric to modern times to conduct research in Turkey, under the auspices of the American Research Institute in Turkey (ARIT) in Ankara and/or Istanbul during the academic year. The purpose of these fellowships is to provide an opportunity for Greek scholars to meet with their Turkish colleagues, and to pursue research interests in the museum, archive, and library collections and at the sites and monuments of Turkey. Fellowships are funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through the Council of American Overseas Research Centers, which also provides funding for Turkish graduate students and senior scholars to study in Greece, under the auspices of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.
The ARIT-Ankara library holds approximately 13,000 volumes focused on archaeological studies, but also includes resources for scholars working on modern Turkish studies. The library at ARIT-Istanbul includes approximately 14,000 volumes and covers the Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish periods. Archives, libraries, sites, and museums in Turkey provide resources for research into many fields of study and geographical areas.
Eligibility: Greek nationals, including staff of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, doctoral candidates, and faculty members of Greek institutions of higher education.
Duration: From two weeks to two months.
Terms: Stipend of $250 per week plus up to $500 for travel expenses. Four to eight awards are available. ARIT, located in Istanbul and Ankara, will provide logistical support and other assistance as required, but projects are not limited to those two cities. For further information about ARIT: https://aritweb.org/. A final report to ASCSA and ARIT is due at the end of the award period, and ASCSA and ARIT expect that copies of all publications that result from research conducted as a Fellow of ASCSA/ARIT be contributed to the relevant library of ASCSA/ARIT.
Application: Submit “Associate Membership with Fellowship” application online. The application includes a curriculum vitae, statement of the project to be pursued during the period of grant (up to three pages, single-spaced in length), and two letters of reference from scholars in the field commenting on the value and feasibility of the project. For more information about the application, visit: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/fellowships-and-grants. Questions? Email: appli...@ascsa.org
The awards will be announced in late spring.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 5th February 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
Byzantine Seminars in Birmingham
The Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology (CAHA) and the Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman and Modern Greek Studies (CBOMGS) at the University of Birmingham are delighted to announce their spring research seminar series.
The series includes seminars co-hosted with the Centre for the Birmingham Research Institute for History and Cultures (BRIHC) and the Centre for the Study of the Middle Ages (CESMA). Each seminar has an individual registration link. Please register with the email address that you intend to log in on the day of the seminar. For queries please contact Dr Theodora Hadjimichael (t.hadji...@bham.ac.uk) or Dr Daniel Reynolds (d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk).
- 2 February. 16-17:30 -Siren Çelik (Marmara): Writing a new biography of Manuel II Palaiologos
- 9 February, 16-17:30 - Pramit Chadhuri (Texas Austin) and Joseph Dexter (Harvard): Computational differentiation of genre and speaker styles in Latin literature
- 16 February, 16-17:30 - David Ricks (Kings/Birmingham): Haunted by Missolonghi: Revolution and nostalgia in two Greek poets
- 23 February, 16-17:30 - Roundtable discussion: Classics and ‘the Other’
Speakers: Samuel Agbamu (Royal Holloway London), Susan Deacy (Roehampton), Deborah Kamen (University of Washington), Nandini Pandey (Johns Hopkins)
- 9 March, 16-17.30 - Karin Schlapbach (Fribourg): “Sensing Religion”: Contextualizing Servius’ views on dance
- 16 March, 16-17:30 - Ingela Nilsson (Uppsala/Istanbul): Historiography as worldmaking: a new approach to historical writing in Byzantium
- 23 March, 16-17.30 - Sarah Blake (York University, Toronto): The Work of Objects: Imagining Things in Roman Writing
- 30 March, 16-17:30 - Dan Reynolds (Birmingham): Making Deserts Bloom: Byzantium and the British Empire in Mandate Palestine, c.1922-c.1948
- 27 April, 16-17.30 - Kleanthis Mantzouranis (Edinburgh): Aristotle on philotimia
J. P. Gumbert Dissertation Award: Deadline extended 25th March
The Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) at Universität Hamburg announces the J. P. Gumbert Dissertation Award 2022 for a doctoral dissertation defended in 2021. Johan Peter Gumbert (1936-2016) was Professor and Professor Emeritus of Western Palaeography and Codicology at Leiden University from 1979 to 2001, and an expert on Latin and Dutch manuscripts. As a frequent guest at the Universität Ham burg, Professor Gumbert was associated with the CSMC from its very beginning as well as with the COMSt-Network (Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies).
The successful dissertation contributes to any aspect of the study of manuscripts and other writ ten artefacts from fields such as art history, history, codicology, epigraphy, material sciences, palaeography, or philology. Its research focus can be on any period or region. The dissertation must be written in English. The award includes a prize money of 5,000 Euro and a fellowship for a research stay at CSMC. Nominations can be submitted by the first or second supervisor or by the doctoral students themselves. Members of CSMC or Universität Hamburg are excluded.
Nominations must include:
• the doctoral dissertation thesis
• one review by the supervisor and final PhD certificate
• curriculum vitae
• a half-page statement describing in which respect the dissertation has established new grounds for the study of written artefacts beyond one discipline.
Please send nominations to applicat...@uni-hamburg.de before Friday, 25 March 2022, 12:00 pm CET (the deadline is not negotiable). Files must be in PDF format and attachments must NOT exceed 20 MB in sum; for attachments larger than 20 MB, please use a file hosting service.
CMTC postgraduate lunchtime colloquium, Tuesday 8th February, 12,30-2,00pm)
The Centre for Manuscript and Text Cultures at The Queen’s College promotes inter-disciplinary discussion among scholars and students interested in manuscripts and material culture in the premodern world.
The next meeting is on Zoom on Tuesday 8th February at 12,30-2,00pm (UK time).
Eleanor Baker (St John’s College, Oxford)
"Lydgate’s defamiliarizing material texts"
Thomas Laver (St John’s College, Cambridge)
"Commercially active monasticism in the papyrus archives from Byzantine Aphrodito"
Here is a link to the sign-up form. Attendance is free of charge but sign-up is mandatory. The link will be sent the day before the talk.
Mary Jaharis Center Lectures: 15th and 17th February
The Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture is pleased to announce two upcoming lectures:
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 12:00 pm | Zoom
Syriac Villages in the Tur Abdin: A Microhistory of the Medieval Middle East
Marica Cassis, University of Calgary
Advance registration required. Register: https://eastofbyzantium.org/upcoming-events/
An East of Byzantium lecture. East of Byzantium is a partnership between the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art at Tufts University and the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture that explores the cultures of the eastern frontier of the Byzantine empire in the late antique and medieval periods.
Thursday, February 17, 2022 | 5:00 pm | Zoom
The History and Significance of the Byzantine Prothesis Ritual
Nina Glibetić, University of Notre Dame
Advance registration required. Register: https://maryjahariscenter.org/events/history-significance-byzantine-prothesis-ritual
RomanIslam (Hybrid) Workshop - Not the Conquerors’ Religion Feb. 10-11
The workshop about local beliefs and imperial religion in the Islamic West, from the 8th to the 10th century. The focus of the workshop is the continuation of local non-Muslim social and religious structures and the nuanced adoption of Islam through forms such as Ibāḍism, Ṣufrism and the spread of the Muʿtazilite school. “Not the Conquerors’ Religion: Local Beliefs vs. Imperial Religion” will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10 – Friday, Feb. 11, 2022 between 12.00 and 17.30.
You are welcome to attend in presence or online. For options, please register by Feb. 5, 2022 with Antonia Bosanquet at antonia....@uni-hamburg.de
2022 Online Byzantine Greek Summer School, Bogazici University Byzantine Studies Research Center
The Byzantine Studies Research Center of Bogazici University is pleased to announce the organization of its fifth Byzantine Greek Summer School from July 18 to August 5, 2022. Students will have the chance to participate in an intensive program in Medieval Greek with Prof. Niels Gaul and Dr. Foteini Spingou. The language of instruction is English, and the classes will be held online. Students will receive a certificate of participation upon successful completion of the program.
Application deadline: March 28, 2022
For more information visit the web page.
Speaking From the Margins. DBBE Online Lectures, Spring 2022 Series
The Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams project, hosted at Ghent University (www.dbbe.ugent.be), organises regular online lectures on the topic of book epigrams. These lectures intend to deepen our knowledge of a variety of book epigrams and to broaden our horizon about their contexts of use and production.
As we continue to learn through this series, book epigrams are testimonies to a long and often eventful history of reading, writing and interpretation in Byzantine culture. At the same time, they are fascinating (but sometimes overlooked) works of poetic art. Their study allows us to understand the transmission of texts and the book culture of Byzantium, in exchange with neighbouring cultures.
The lectures will take place at 4pm (CET) and will be accessible to everyone via Zoom. The recordings of all the previous online lectures are available on the DBBE YouTube channel. More information and links to the individual lectures can be found on: https://www.projectdbbe.ugent.be/lectures/.
- Thursday 17 February 2022
Brad Hostetler, Ekphrasis and Epigrams on Byzantine Art - Thursday 17 March 2022
Nina Sietis, Reading ‘la plume à la main’: Case Studies of Secondary Metrical Paratexts - Thursday 21 April 2022
Luise Marion Frenkel, The Diaphanous Reputation of Late Antique Patristic Authors on the Byzantine Folio - Tuesday 17 May 2022
Manolis Patedakis, Some Aspects of Theodore Prodromos' Poetry in the Tetrasticha on Chapters From the Old and New Testament - Tuesday 14 June 2022
Aglae Pizzone, Patrons and Heroes in the Book Epigrams of the Voss. Gr. Q1
Bioarchaeology Course (Introduction) at the ASCSA Wiener Laboratory – deadline March 20th
The Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science is launching an intensive week-long course in bioarchaeology to introduce participants to the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological settings. Dr. Ioanna Moutafi, a Post-Doctoral Fellow of the Wiener Laboratory and expert in bioarchaeology and Aegean prehistory, will lead the course with assistance from Dr. Dimitris Michailidis, an anthropologist/paleontologist and Coordinator of the Wiener Laboratory. Human bones are a unique strand of archaeological evidence, as they provide a vast array of both biological and cultural information about life and death in the past. This course will offer both the theoretical and basic technical skills for the analysis and interpretation of human remains, through lectures, seminars and interactive hands-on practical sessions. The objective is to familiarize with all aspects of the human skeleton and the different insights they can offer us into the past.
The course will explore key themes in bioarchaeology, such as:
- Human skeletal anatomy – bone identification
- Estimation of sex and age-at-death
- Skeletal variation
- Dealing with commingled human remains
- Paleopathology
- Nutrition and diet
- Current biomolecular advances (a-DNA, stable isotopes)
- Bones in context: social bioarchaeology and funerary archaeology
A maximum of 10 participants will be accepted for the course. Preference is given to graduate and advanced students with an interest in archaeological science, bioarchaeology, and funerary archaeology. The course is also ideal for professional archaeologists or museum curators who may occasionally need to work with human remains. This course is not geared toward people with significant experience in human osteology or bioarchaeology. No prior experience in human osteology is required.
Training fee is 400 euros for the entire course. Accommodation is not provided, but we will offer recommendations and assistance to course participants in order to arrange accommodation themselves.
The course will take place from May 30 to June 3, 2022. Applications will be submitted no later than March 20, 2022 via the online application form: https://ascsa.submittable.com/submit/213813/introduction-to-bioarchaeology-course-application
Applications will include one paragraph outlining the candidate’s background and why the candidate is interested in participating in the course, a CV, and names and email addresses of two referees. Participants who successfully complete the course of instruction will receive a certificate detailing the content of the course.
For further information or questions, please contact Dr. Ioanna Moutafi (imou...@yahoo.gr).
Online Course: Introduction to Arabic Manuscript Studies, Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, 13th-24th June 2022
This two-week introductory course is open to graduate students, advanced undergraduates, faculty, and independent scholars with a research interest in Arabic manuscripts. The course will introduce students to the study of Arabic manuscripts in their historical, cultural, and material dimensions and to a diversity of Arabic manuscript traditions from West Africa and the Middle East, both Islamic and Christian; provide basic introduction to paleography, codicology, and philological practices, with a special focus on the application of these skills in a digital context; and highlight a wide range of scholarly reference tools for the study of Arabic manuscripts. By the end of the course, students will be able to contribute to the scholarly description of a previously uncataloged manuscript of their choice from the HMML collection.
Sessions will be held Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. CST.
Eligibility
- Basic understanding of the classical Arabic language
- Professional and scholarly interest in manuscripts
Costs
$250 (U.S.)
Find more details here.
Online Course: Mapping Worlds – Medieval to Modern, Warburg Institute, 25th-29th April 2022 3:00-5:00pm (BST)
Course tutor: Alessandro Scafi (Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Renaissance Cultural History)
The aim of this course is to explore how maps have served to order and represent physical, social and imaginative worlds from around 1200 to 1700. The focus is on the iconographic character of maps and the complex relation between art and science that is found in mapmaking throughout history. The students will be introduced to a wide range of images from different time periods and made for a variety of purposes, with the intent of drawing together art history, literature, philosophy and visual culture. Theoretical issues will be approached concerning, for example, the association of word and image, the definition of maps and their difference from views and diagrams, but the background and purpose of individual examples will be also discussed. These include medieval world maps produced as independent artifacts or drawn as book illustrations, mural map cycles of the Italian Renaissance, early modern prints made to identify and describe lands mentioned in the Bible. The course will investigate the creative and projective power of maps and their value as historical testimonies. Mnemonic and allegorical maps will be also approached.
The course will be taught across five x two hour classes online via the zoom platform. Each session will have time for discussion. Reading lists will be made available to registered students.
You can find more information here.
SCHEDULE:
Monday-Friday, 25-29 April 2022: 15:00-17:00
PROGRAMME:
1. What is a Map? Definition of a map. Maps of territories and maps of concepts. Art and cartography.
2. Rhetorical Mapping, Then and Now: Maps and Politics. Maps of medieval and modern cities and empires.
3. Mapping Other Worlds: Medieval and modern mapping of the Garden of Eden. Maps of the past.
4. Mapping Inner Worlds: Allegorical maps and maps of the imagination: maps of love, the mind, the road of life.
5. Maps of Memory: Spatial thinking and the art of memory; maps of knowledge and maps as spiritual aids.
FEES:
- Standard £120
- Warburg Staff & Fellows/external students/unwaged £110
- SAS & LAHP-funded students £95
- Warburg Students £60
A limited number of fee-waiver bursaries are available. If you would like to apply please download the form HERE(Opens in new window) and return it completed to war...@sas.ac.uk by Monday 4 April 2022.
Online Lecture: Art and Internal Anatomy – Michelangelo, Bronzino, and Mannerist Bodies, 8th February 2022, 5:00-6:30pm (CET)
Christian Kleinbub – Ohio State University
Building on the speaker’s research on Michelangelo’s investment in internal anatomical matters, this talk proposes that other artists of his time, especially Bronzino, paid particular attention to the meaning of the internal organs like the liver, heart, and brain, referencing those organs to explain the internal states of represented bodies. Although such references were only occasionally systematic, this talk contends that they contributed to something like an elite visual language of the body that depended on a long tradition in Tuscan poetry with special reference to Dante. Anatomy is featured throughout the practice and theorization of Italian art in the sixteenth century. Yet, almost without exception, the textual and pictorial evidence has been taken to suggest that artists were concerned only with superficial anatomy, those parts of the body visible on its outsides such as muscles, bones, and sinews. These findings emphasize that the Mannerist body cannot be easily dismissed as a matter only of arbitrary or ornamental form, and they cause us to rethink what “artificiality” means in discussing the art of the period.
The event is free to attend but registration is required. To register click here.
Info at: https://csmbr.fondazionecomel.org/events-and-activities/online/internal-anatomy/
Medieval Iberia in Global Perspective
With Prof. Eduardo Manzano Moreno (St. Andrews/CSIC) and Prof. Wendy Davies (UCL)
A masterclass with two leading scholars of medieval Iberian history: Eduardo Manzano Moreno (British Academy Global Professor, Univeristy of St. Andrews/Research Professor, Instituto de Historia, CSIC) and Wendy Davies (Professor Emerita, UCL). All members of the University are welcome; graduate students and ECRs are particularly encouraged.
2-4pm, Tuesday 15 February
Wharton Room, All Souls College, Oxford
The event will be held in a hybrid format. For in-person attendance (limited capacity), please sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/fWV9Sy9gUH
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Fenestella. Inside Medieval Art, Thematic Issue 3/2022: ‘Configuring Monastic Architectural Settings: Early Medieval Experiments’ – deadline: 30 June 2022
Fenestella is a scholarly, multilingual, and peer-reviewed open access journal. Fenestella publishes scholarly papers on medieval art and architecture, between Late Antiquity and c. 1400, covering the Latin West, the Byzantine East and medieval Islam.
Fenestella is now accepting proposals for the 2022 Thematic Issue: CONFIGURING MONASTIC ARCHITECTURAL SETTINGS: EARLY MEDIEVAL EXPERIMENTS
The planimetric and functional standardisation of monastic architectural settings is an achievement of the Romanesque period, and of Cistercian complexes in particular. During the early Middle Ages, monastic settlements were shaped in a pragmatic manner through the progressive aggregation of spaces; pre-existencing structures and different levels of resources or skills often affected constructions. This approach led to a diversity of forms, sizes, site plans, and functions, though the latter also reflected differing liturgical customs.
The third issue of Fenestella will explore this architectural experimention, seeking to identify, and to contextualize, similarities, differences, and trends. We welcome submissions that address specific case studies as well as broader territorial frameworks.
Proposals should be uploaded to the Fenestella website. The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2022. Submissions on different topics to be published in the section Varia will also be considered.
For more information contact redazione....@unimi.it.
The Architecture of Medieval Port Cities: Italy and the Mediterranean – first deadline 1st May 2022
Convivium X/1, 2023 thematic issue:
The Architecture of Medieval Port Cities: Italy and the Mediterranean
Edited by Sarah K. Kozlowski (The Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History) and Kristen Streahle (Hollins University)
Deadline for abstracts: 1 May 2022
Deadline for manuscripts: 31 August 2022
Deadline for complete articles: 31 January 2023
Recent scholarship has explored port cities of the medieval and early modern Mediterranean—from the Iberian peninsula, to Italy and North Africa, to the Levant—as complex sites of artistic encounter, exchange, and mobility. In dialogue with current research on the movement of artworks, materials, and people across the Mediterranean world, we invite art and architectural historians, archeologists, and historians to consider the forms and cultural dynamics of port cities themselves. These natural and built environments both configure relationships between land, sea, and the world beyond, and create unique spatial, cultural, social, and economic conditions for artistic production and transformation.
Building upon research presented in “Architecture and Mediation in Medieval Mediterranean Port Cities,” a panel held at the Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians in Spring 2020, the co-editors will bring together a collection of essays in a special issue of the journal Convivium, which will be published in April 2023.
Two lines of questioning animate the project. First, how do the physical and material forms of port cities configure and even thematize relationships between land and sea, arrival and departure, openness and closure? Along this line of questioning, we invite contributions that treat topics including but not limited to:
- the design and construction of port infrastructure in relation to hydro-topographic organization;
- ports and their cities as parts of larger systems of borders and frontiers, including strategies of closure, obstruction, and delay (for example, harbor chains, towers, and quarantine stations);
- architectural responses to natural disasters such as disease, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions; and
- urban planning, architectural design and materials, and programs of ornament that figure relationships between a port city and the broader cultural and economic networks of which it is part.
Second, how do the natural, built, and social environments of port cities mediate and shape artistic circulation and exchange? Contributors may approach this question through investigations of:
- social and legal mechanisms for the movement of artists, architects, builders, engineers, and workshops;
- patterns and logistics in the transport of materials;
- mediums of knowledge transfer such as drawings, model books, and plans;
- representations of port cities in maps, illuminated manuscripts, mercantile handbooks, and travel accounts;
- topographical, functional, and social dynamics between a city’s port and its neighborhoods of artisans and artists.
We welcome contributions that focus on these and other questions related to the architecture of port cities of the Italian peninsula and islands, as well as Italian port cities within the context of broader Mediterranean networks, circa 700–1600 CE. We encourage investigations of understudied connections between Italy and the wider world (for example, between Italy and northern Africa) as well as new approaches to well-studied connections. Our aim is to assemble a constellation of essays that relate to and converse with each other geographically, chronologically, thematically, and methodologically, presenting the very latest research in the field and opening new avenues for future work.
Further information on: http://www.earlymedievalstudies.com/convivium.html
Submission: Abstracts of 500–600 words should be sent to Sarah Kozlowski and Kristen Streahle (Convi...@gmail.com). After acceptance of an abstract by the editors, the manuscript of the article will be submitted to a process of double-blind peer review.
CRUX TRIUMPHALIS – Calvaries and Rood Beams between the Middle Ages and the Council of Trent – deadline 31st March 2022
The 1st Colloquium on Art and Liturgy: CRUX TRIUMPHALIS. Calvaries and Rood Beams between the Middle Ages and the Council of Trent will take place in Cádiz during 13-15 October 2022.
The academic community is invited to submit abstracts in Spanish, English, Italian and French consisting of a 500-700 words summary highlighting the innovative nature of the paper together with the chosen session and a brief curriculum vitae before the 31st of March 2022 to the following address: crux.tri...@uca.es.
The organising committee shall acknowledge receipt of submissions and select those considered most closely aligned with the meeting objectives. The selection will be made public before the 15th of May. Following peer review, these papers will be published in a monograph. Texts should be sent by the 15th of November 2022.
During the Middle Ages and even the Early Modern period, the biggest eye-catcher for those who entered into a church was an image of Christ crucified, frequently flanked by the Virgin and Saint John, supported by a beam. This beam, located on the triumphal arch’s imposts, became -together with the altar steps- the element that pointed out the frontier between the space for the faithful and the one intended for the clergy. Due to its prominent position at the entrance of the presbytery, the crucifix became a focus for the faithful’s gaze. This image increased their spiritual involvement in liturgical celebrations, particularly during Mass, because they were persuaded through the transcendence of the mystery that occurred at the altar. That mystery, which was the miraculous and bloodless repetition of the Calvary’s sacrifice, also was the very same iconographical depiction that the faithful could distinguish at the top of the beam. Like any other church furniture, the origin of the rood beams can be traced back into the early Middle Ages or even Late Antiquity through Archaeology and documentary evidence that go back to the patristic literature or the Liber Pontificalis.
The aim of the first Expert meeting on Art and Liturgy, to be held in the University of Cádiz with a commitment to continuity, is to restore the memory of these singular pieces in its architectural, sculptural and pictorial dimension within the visual and functional context for which they were conceived. In order to provide a forum for debate on these issues, the Colloquium will count with renowned experts such as Teresa Laguna, Justing Kroesen or Eduardo Carrero, among others.
Session I. The Triumphal Cross in liturgical and historical sources. Study of patristic texts and medieval liturgical books, pastoral visits, other literary sources such as periegesis and chorography, as well as contractual and accounting documentary sources. In addition, graphic evidence of beams and calvaries: drawings, engravings, descriptive painting and historical photography.
Session II. Spanish Calvaries and Rood Beams in the European Context. Origins and typological relations with similar elements: screens, retrochoirs, jubé… Spatial configuration and formal development. Iberian world. Local particularities.
Session III. The decline of a typology. The emergence of the great altarpieces and the last beams. Disuse and dismantling of beams and calvaries. Functional, liturgical and maintenance issues involved in the disappearance process. Singular examples preserved: survival and revival.
Session IV. Image, piety and devotion. Devotional implications in the cult of medieval crucifixes and calvaries after their descent. Altars, altarpieces and chapels devoted to “Beam Christs”. Medieval prestige in the baroque context.
For more information, please click here.
Gold in Renaissance Western Europe, Paris, 9th- 10th June 2022, Deadline – 1st March 2022
International Symposium:
“Gold in Renaissance Western Europe. Interdisciplinary Approaches”
In his influential book on painting and visual culture in fifteenth-century Italy (Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy, 1972), Michael Baxandall described the abandonment of gold in painting practices as a sensitive phenomenon both in contracts between painters and patrons, and in the writings of some authoritative art theorists. He linked this attitude to a more general movement on a European scale, consisting of the decline of some practices of display, for example the fashion for clothes embellished with precious materials such as gold. He also suggested a correlation between with the shortage of gold in fifteenth-century Europe or the growing interest in the painter’s maestria at the expense of the preciousness of the materials. Although gold backgrounds gradually disappeared from Western European painting – mainly during the fifteenth century – and art theorists condemned the use of this material, gold was not completely abandoned in practice, as shown by certain artworks produced by painters as innovative as Rembrandt and Vermeer in the middle of the seventeenth century. Nevertheless, the question of the subsequent use of gold has not been a major focus of early modern art historians, who have instead sought to refine Baxandall’s vision by examining the disappearance of gold backgrounds in the fifteenth century in the two main artistic areas of the time : the Low Countries and the Italian Peninsula.
Fifty years after Baxandall’s work, this symposium aims to investigate, in an interdisciplinary way, the place of gold in Western European societies during the Renaissance. As a material, gold has played an important role in the cultural and economic history of Europe and the world, in the history of science, and also in the historiography of the ‘material turn’ in art, as shown by several transchronological syntheses published in recent years [Venable 2011; Zorach & Phillips 2016]. Museums have not been left out of this renewed interest in the various uses and meanings of gold: one need only think of the exhibition that the Mucem organised in 2018 [Bouiller 2018], or the numerous physico-chemical analyses carried out on ancient artworks in research laboratories in France (e.g. C2RMF) and abroad, particularly in London (at the National Gallery).
On the basis of these recent achievements, we will focus on a limited area (Western Europe), albeit one connected to the rest of the world, and a given time (especially the period from 1450 to 1520).
The aim of the conference is therefore to explore:
-The economic history of gold and what the heritage science can say about it. Which deposits of the metal were exploited at that time? What is the current state of knowledge of monetary history in Western Europe at the end of the fifteenth century ? How can we characterise the origin of the gold in a work of art?
-The social history of gold. Can we speak of a symbolism linked to this material at that time? What are the myths associated with it (the alchemical quest, Eldorado, etc.)? What place does gold have in sumptuary legislation?
-The taste for gold (e.g. in treasures, domestic interiors, sacred spaces, etc.) and the position of civic and ecclesiastical authorities with regard to this precious metal.
-Learned and practical knowledge : metallurgy, alchemical practices, humanist thinking.
-The craftsmen who worked with gold (e.g. goldsmiths, gold beaters, gilders) and their regulations.
-Its artistic uses (goldsmithing, sculpture, illumination, engraving, tapestry, painting, etc.).
-The techniques for using this material as they can be reconstituted today by the physical and chemical sciences, as well as the techniques for restoring the gilding of a few artworks from this period, including the Isenheim Altarpiece (around 1515), which is currently undergoing restoration in Colmar (Musée Unterlinden).
We are inviting papers in all relevant disciplines.
Abstract submission and deadlines
Please submit your abstract of 300 words with a short biography to Romain Thomas (rth...@parisnanterre.fr), Valentina Hristova (valqhr...@yahoo.fr), Christine Andraud (christin...@mnhn.fr), Anne-Solenn Le Hô (anne-sol...@culture.gouv.fr) by 1 March 2022. Notification of acceptance will be given around 15 March 2022.
Organising Committee
– Prof. Christine ANDRAUD (Professor of Physics (Optics), CRC/CNRS/MNHN)
– Dr. Valentina HRISTOVA (Post-doctoral Fellow in Early Modern Art History, Fondation des Sciences du Patrimoine and HAR, University Paris Nanterre)
– Dr. Anne-Solenn LE HO (Research Engineer in Physical Chemistry, C2RMF/CNRS)
– Dr. Romain THOMAS (Lecturer in Early Modern Art History, HAR, University Paris Nanterre)
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Applications: 3 PhD Fellowships at Ghent University
The Department of Linguistics at Ghent University (Belgium) is seeking well-qualified applicants for 3 fully-funded and full-time doctoral research fellowships attached to the European Research Council Consolidator Grant project MELA. The meaning of language. A digital grammar of the Greek taught at schools in Late Constantinople. Prof. Dr. Andrea Cuomo, with his interest in the history of Medieval Greek and the reception of classical literature in Byzantium, is the principal investigator.
Within the ERC project, subprojects will be assigned to individual team members. For the current vacancies, these subprojects are situated in the following areas:
– Digital Humanities/ Greek Linguistics:
https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=22265&company=C0000956575P
– Medieval Greek Philology/ Byzantine Studies:
https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=22355&company=C0000956575P
– Greek Palaeography:
https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=22364&company=C0000956575P
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (April 23, 2022). We do NOT accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.
For more information about the vacancies, please contact Prof. Andrea Cuomo at: Andrea...@ugent.be
Postdoc Position in the ERC-funded project APOCRYPHA in Oslo – deadline 1st March
The Faculty of Theology, , University of Oslo, invites applications for a 3-year position as Postdoctoral Fellow in the ERC-funded research project Storyworlds in Transition: Coptic Apocrypha in Changing Contexts in the Byzantine and Early Islamic Periods (APOCRYPHA), based at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo.
For more information, see here.
Deadline for applications: 1st March 2022.
Scholarship: Medieval and Renaissance Studies MA at UCL – deadline 31st March 2022
The square half-mile around the UCL Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies must contain the highest concentration of manuscripts, books and seminars relating to the period 400 to 1600 anywhere in the Anglophone world. Situated halfway between the British Library and the School of Advanced Study, the Centre benefits from the richness of local resources and acts as a focal point for collaboration in the Bloomsbury area. It is one of the UK’s most prominent specialist centres for the study of the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
Hosted by the History department but with teaching staff from across the university, we offer an MA degree in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. We also host a lively programme of seminars and events. This is an MA programme that offers excellent training in languages and palaeography, research-led courses, as well as supervision across a wide range of disciplines.
This year we have a particularly generous range of scholarships available. In addition to the programme-specific Chattaway scholarship, the UCL history department can distribute up to 6 Baxendale scholarships, which will cover the full home tuition fees for the year’s MA. All applicants to the MARS MA are eligible to be considered for these scholarships. Those who have been awarded a scholarship will be notified by the end of June.
The deadline for applications this year is 31st March 2022.
Find more details here.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 15th February 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
Online Conference: Opening the Sacred Text-Meaning, Materiality and Historiography, Zoom, 21st-23rd February
Registration is now open for “Opening the Sacred Text: Meaning, Materiality, Historiography”. Bringing together scholars from around the world, we will explore the decorative frontispieces and so-called carpet pages that are a remarkable feature of manuscripts from diverse cultures, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
The conference will be online, via Zoom, and we’ll send out a Zoom link to registered participants nearer the time.
The conference will run over three days (Monday 21 February 2022 – Wednesday 23 February 2022), with a 2pm GMT start each day. We hope that the timing and the online format will make the conference accessible to as many people as possible.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Stewart J. Brookes: “Carpet Pages: What?”
- Christine Bachman: “Holistic Visions: Connecting Book Covers and Ornamental Pages in Early Medieval Manuscripts”
- William Endres, “An Insular Meditative Sequence: Sorting Out the Evolving Complexity of Interplay among Cross-Carpet and Other Decorative Pages as Preparation for Entering a Gospel”
- Carol Farr, “Unravelling the Insular Carpet Page: Needs and Responses in Book Art”
- Elina Gertsman, “Untethered Image”
- Jacopo Gnisci, “Woven Prayers: Carpet Pages in Ethiopian Manuscripts”
- Dalia-Ruth Halperin, “Reciprocal Ties Between the Calligraphic Frames in Sefardi Bibles and the Text and Images in their Micrography Carpets: Variant Regional Emphasis”
- Julie Harris, “The Sense of an Ending: Finispieces in the Iberian Bible Codices”
- Eva Hoffman, “The “Carpet Page”: A Space of Exchange Between Religion and Culture”
- Cailah Jackson, “Opening the Islamic Book in Medieval Konya: Illuminated Pointed Ovals and Their Possible Sources”
- Elvira Martín-Contreras, “Decorative and Textual: Carpet Pages in the Earliest Hebrew Bible Codices”
- Bernard Meehan, “Roman Mosaics, Early Christian Architecture and the Books of Durrow and Kells”
- Georgi Parpulov, “‘The Frontispiece Miniatures of the Oldest Arabic Gospel Book”
- Anastasija Ropa, “Ornamental Frontispieces in Slavic Orthodox Gospels”
- Rose Walker, “Opening Iberian Sacred Books from the Tenth to the Early Thirteenth Centuries”
- Laura McCloskey Wolfe, “Mimesis and Metamorphosis in Irish Manuscript Illumination: A Comparative Analysis of Metalwork Techniques and Textual Decoration in the Book of Durrow”
Register for this conference here.
Online Lecture: Materiality and Anachronism in the Medieval Church, Dr Karl Kinsella, Zoom, 4th April 2022, 18:00-19:30 BST
The past looks very much like the present to medieval audiences, filled with recognisable buildings, objects and the things of everyday life. This chronological mash-up has little to do with medieval ignorance of the past; instead, it expresses a flexible approach to authenticity and the very real material links between past and present within objects. Over a decade ago Christopher S. Wood and Alexander Nagel proposed a theory of the anachronic, where copies of historical objects retained an inner authenticity in the eyes of contemporary viewers.
This talk pushes that theory further back into the central Middle Ages by framing it within Latin theories of the world and its inner nature. Medieval church architecture provides an excellent framework to understand this relationship between the material reality of the building and its allegorical links to history. But this relationship is not easily defined and is frequently contradictory. In contemporary texts, the altar, for example, is Christ, but it is also Jerusalem, Goliath and any number of other people, objects, and places in the Christian bible. How can something be both something in front of a medieval churchgoer and also something from history, and how is that seeming contradiction resolved within a contemporary understanding of materiality? This talk will address those questions and allow people to see the church and its embedded significance in a new light.
This seminar will last approximately 60 minutes including a Q&A, and will begin at 6pm GMT on Monday 4th April 2022. The Zoom link for this session will be emailed to you as part of your confirmation of registration (please check your spam/junk folder for this email if you cannot find it). This seminar is part of the Ideology, Society, and Medieval Religion: Impositions and Negotiations series – for more info, see here or email Tim Wingard (tim.w...@york.ac.uk) or Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow (erp...@york.ac.uk).
Ancient Fiction at Kent – Ancient Concepts of Fiction and Narrative in the Imperial Period, Late Antiquity, and Byzantium, University of Kent: 25th February 2022
This workshop will be a hybrid event. It explores a range of texts from Late Antiquity to Byzantium as an inflection point for these kinds of concerns. It aims to test the boundaries of periodisation and to open up a more nuanced understanding of fiction between, and across, diverse narratives.
Please email Anne Alwis (a.p....@kent.ac.uk) if you wish to attend or to receive the link for the online workshop.
The final workshop will also be a hybrid event, held at the University of Lille in May or early June 2022, with details to be circulated in the near future.
The workshop series is organized by Ruth Webb (Lille), Anne Alwis (Kent), and Koen De Temmerman (Ghent), with funding generously provided by the 3i research fund of the University of Lille.
Programme: (All times given are GMT)
9:50-10:00 Introduction
10:00-10:40 Uffe Holmsgaard Eriksen (University of Southern Denmark), “Theology and Fictionality: Some thoughts on religious narrative” [remote presentation]
10:40-11:10 Stratis Papaioannou (Crete), "Fiction and Fictionality in Byzantine Literature: Preliminary considerations" [remote presentation]
11:10-11:30 Break
11.30-12:10 Ingela Nilsson (Uppsala), “Paradoxographical Features in the Storyworld(s) of the Greek and Byzantine novel”
12:10-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:40 Ángel Narro (València), “Fiction and Reality in the Different Greek Versions of the 'Acts of Thomas'”
14:40-15:10 Emma Greensmith (Oxford), “Sacred Truths, Poetic Ploys: Odyssean layering in Christian Greek Epic” [remote presentation]
15:10-15:30 Break
15:30-16:10 Ian Repath (Swansea), “Achilles Tatius' Metafictional Phoenix”
16:10-17:00 Round up discussion
Les dialogues byzantins de l'AEMB
Les Dialogues aspirent à partager les travaux récents dans diverses disciplines, de la philologie à l’histoire de l’art et l’archéologie, dans le monde byzantin entendu au sens large. Ils visent également à maintenir le contact avec des chercheurs et chercheuses formés en France, que leur parcours a conduits, pour certains, à poursuivre leur carrière dans des institutions étrangères.
Vous trouverez le programme ci-joint, ainsi que les liens Zoom pour assister virtuellement aux six Dialogues.
– Lundi 7 mars, 10h00, François Pacha-Miran, Docteur en histoire et l’art et archéologie : « Le poids des mots, le choc des images. Encres et pigments précieux des manuscrits syriaques de la BnF (XIIe-XIIIe siècle) »
https://zoom.us/j/92890608875?pwd=YlMyR0R5ZlJkanVzVUcvMEJHSWlXUT09
– Lundi 14 mars, 10h00, Lucia Orlandi, Docteur en études médiévales et patrimoine culturel : « Le baptême à Byzance entre les VIIe et XIIIe siècles »
https://zoom.us/j/92318043634?pwd=YjgzaytjNWI4T0UzUzA2dmgzbUZBdz09
– Lundi 21 mars, 10h00, Numa Buchs, Docteur en histoire : « Constantin Monomaque et l'ascension des Latins au XIe siècle »
https://zoom.us/j/91706287442?pwd=UFhuTFhyTmNiQ054YUFublhDd3pmZz09
– Lundi 28 mars, 10h00, Romain Goudjil, Docteur en histoire : « Des procès immortels à Byzance ? Quelques réflexions sur le temps judiciaire byzantin »
https://zoom.us/j/98266150097?pwd=NzAxdldpOXBKeWdBM2xRVUphZXF4dz09
– Lundi 4 avril, 10h00, Pierre Charrey, Docteur en histoire de l'art et archéologie : « Rome dans la balance. Gaule entre Antiquité tardive et haut Moyen âge »
https://zoom.us/j/93222726103?pwd=TWRQT1RZSlJ0MHBBM0U2VzVjcHlIZz09
– Lundi 11 avril, 10h00, Matteo Antoniazzi, Docteur en histoire : « La réception de la dynastie théodosienne chez Jean de Nikiou (VIIe siècle) »
https://zoom.us/j/92544144754?pwd=SHlyWG1qZkkzdEhMdDRRQWFIMjBPdz09
Code secret pour chaque séance : byzance
Bogazici – Byzantine Greek Summer School
The Byzantine Studies Research Center of Bogazici University is pleased to announce the organization of its fifth Byzantine Greek Summer School from July 18 to August 5, 2022. Students will have the chance to participate in an intensive program in Medieval Greek with Prof. Niels Gaul and Dr. Foteini Spingou. The language of instruction is English, and the classes will be held online. Students will receive a certificate of participation upon successful completion of the program.
Application deadline: March 28, 2022
For more information, please visit our web page: http://byzantinestudies.boun.edu.tr/index.php?page=events&id=64
Summer Classical Armenian language course at Notre Dame
Introductory Old/Classical Armenian course at Notre Dame this summer through their Classical, Medieval, and Near Eastern Language Institute. It is open to undergraduate or graduate students.
The course will meet M/T/R 4:00–6:00pm ET (FULLY ONLINE) May 31st–July 7th (6 weeks).
Tuition rate info is here (the course is 3 credits): https://summersession.nd.edu/tuition-financial-aid/
I don't think ND offers funding for the course, so students would need to apply for funding locally or seek other external scholarships, such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's Short Term Grant for Armenian Studies or a NAASR grant.
Workshop de Humanidades Digitales - CAEBiz 4 Marzo 2022
The Argentine Committee of Byzantine Studies (CAEBiz) cordially invites you to its Online workshop on Digital Humanities. The meeting will be co-ordinated by José Maksimczuk (Universität Hamburg - CSMC) and Tom Gheldof (KU Leuven) and will take place on Friday, March 4, 2022, 14.00 CET (= 10:00 Buenos Aires).
Program
Session 1 (14.00-15.30 CET / 10.00-11.30 BsAs)
* Gimena del Rio Riande – Gabriel Calarco (IIBICRIT), "Digital Humanities in Argentina: Past, Present and Future"
* Sylvia Melzer (Universität Hamburg - CSMC), "Federated Search in Manuscript Databases"
Session 2 (15.45-17.15 CET / 11.45-13.15 BsAs)
* Gianmario Cattaneo (Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale), "Towards an Open-Access Database of Justinian's Corpus Iuris Civilis: The DigilibLT and JuNO Projects"
* Colin Swaelens (University of Ghent), "You shall know a verse by the company it keeps. Detecting orthographic and semantic similarity between epigrams"
Session 3 (17.30-19.00 CET / 13.30-15.00 BsAs)
* Tom Gheldof (KU Leuven), "A virtual tour of the Trismegistos metadataverse"
* Lena Hofmann (Universität Hamburg), "Etymologika: towards a multi-linked digital edition of the Greek text"
The workshop will be held via Zoom (no registration is required):
https://uni-hamburg.zoom.us/j/66093457970?pwd=N0h3ZjM4VFYzTlFJQWVXVUpUMmxIZz09
Meeting ID: 660 9345 7970
Passcode: 23868106
Comité Argentino de Estudios Bizantinos: http://caebiz.tilda.ws/workshoponDHengl
King's College London Ancient Greek and Latin Summer Courses
This year King’s College London is again running two 6-week courses (4 July – 12 August, 2021) in Ancient Greek and Latin as part of the KCL Summer School. These courses offer students who have not previously had the opportunity to study Greek or Latin intensive training designed to bring them from complete beginners to a point where they are able to read simple texts. They are ideal for students who intend to study for a Masters or Doctoral degree to get ahead during the summer, thus acquiring an essential skill for their future research. They are also appropriate for teachers, undergraduates, mature students and anyone with an interest in the Hellenic or Roman world.
Teaching will take place on campus, but there is an option to join the classes remotely for students who are unable to travel to London.
It is also possible for complete beginners to take just the first half of the course (4 July – 22 July), and for those who already have a basic knowledge to take the second half of the course (25 July - 12 August). The cost for each three week course is £1088. Bursaries are avaible.
The closing date for applications is 31 May.
For further information and to make an application, please see the King's College London Summer School website:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/summer/university-level/summer-school
And for further information about how to apply for a bursary, see the Classics Department website:
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/classics/about/access-ancient-languages
(follow the middle tab: King’s Ancient Languages Summer School)
BSR - Postgraduate Epigraphy Course 2022
Sixth Postgraduate Course in Epigraphy at the British School at Rome, 11-20 July 2022. Based at the British School at Rome, this taught course offers a nine-day introduction to the scholarship, publication and display of epigraphic materials from a variety of different approaches. Intended for postgraduate scholars of ancient history, archaeology, museum studies and the classics, the course examines the numerous contexts in which epigraphy is presented: in situ, museums, private collections, archives and in published formats (e.g. reference works and online databases). How do these contexts and the processes of documenting inscriptions shape our lens of perception? Experiencing epigraphy, in these different formats, is the best way to understand and address both the wonders and the difficulties of these sources.
The course consists of daily lectures, visits and practical activities at many of Rome’s museums, institutions and sites (including a trip to Ostia), with onsite instruction from leading professors and curators in the field. Practical activities such as drawing, squeezes, rubbings, object handling, a carving tutorial and a session at the CIL VI. (La Sapienza) are designed to provide unique hands-on interactions with sources, contexts and scholars in the field. Participants will also have an opportunity to further their own research through an independent project (generally a specific area of his/her epigraphic research) which will be developed during the course and presented in a short paper at the end of the course. Residence at the BSR includes accommodation (breakfast and dinner with residents from the BSR community), access to their collections (with 24-hour access to the library), and a year’s membership to the BSR.
Application deadline: Saturday 19 February.
Testimonials, reports and itineraries from previous courses, as well as an information pack for the 2022 course with details of how to apply, can be found on the BSR website:
https://bsr.ac.uk/research-practice-taught-courses/
Please feel free to contact the course director with any further queries at: Abigail...@sas.ac.uk
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Sung, Written and Painted. The Akathistos Hymnos and Intermedial Compositional Processes in Later Byzantium, Göttingen, 2-3 June 2022 – deadline 15th March
Painted cycles based on the Akathistos represent one of the great novelties of late Byzantine art, translating a by then already ancient piece of liturgical music into the world of visual art. However, even though the Akathistos Hymn to the Virgin Mary has been studied quite extensively, the relationship between its text, music, and illustrations has not yet been fully explored.
Building on the Akathistos Hymn, the planned conference will examine late Byzantine intermedial compositional processes. Painted cycles based on the Akathistos should be studied as a product of the interaction between hymnography, psalmody, and visual art - not just as a mere visualisation of a text. Illuminated and notated manuscript copies of the hymn ought to be examined as evidence for varied liturgical and devotional practices. Icons and murals that illustrate the Akathistos need to be seen as constituent elements of sacred space. At the same time, the broader social and religious context(s) for the hymn’s use during the late Byzantine period need to be considered.
Methodologically, the conference will have as its focus the concept of intermediality, that is, the interface between various media of cultural expression. The organisers hope that it will contribute towards bridging the methodological gaps that separates various scholarly approaches to the study of medieval culture.
Proposals in all disciplines related to Byzantine Studies, broadly construed, addressing the Akathistos are welcome - or other medieval evidence with a similar approach to intermediality and compositional processes. Contributions from graduate and early career researchers are particularly welcome. Abstracts of not more than 300 words should be sent to Jon C. Cubas Díaz (jon.cu...@uni-goettingen.de) by 15 March 2022. Travel and accommodation expenses of accepted speakers will be reimbursed. The conference will be held in Göttingen as a hybrid event on 2-3 June 2022.
Confirmed speakers include: Thomas Arentzen, Guoda Gediminskaite, Friederike Kranig,
Wisdom Literature in Early Islam – deadline 15th March
The Leiden University Centre for Islamic Thought and History (LUCITH) is hosting a two-day international conference on Wisdom Literature in Early Islam on the 12 and 13 September 2022 at Leiden University.
The conference will have a mixed format, with both in-person and online presentations. The conference will address the question of wisdom literature, as a tool of persuasion, to deliberate its content, to analyse its philosophical and ethical messaging, and identify major themes and tropes in Arabic literature, philosophy, intellectual history, linguistics, and ethics, among other things, in Early Islam (broadly conceived of as the first few centuries).
Themes the conference could address:
· Transmission of wisdom literature, aphorisms, and texts
· Recurring tropes and themes
· Devotional piety and wisdom literature
· The Qur'an and wisdom literature
· The Arabic reception of ancient wisdom literature
· Tools of persuasion and rhetoric
· Philosophical and ethical dimensions
For consideration, please send a 300-word abstract in English to luc...@hum.leidenuniv.nl by the 15th of March 2022. The conference will be held in English.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only participants located within Europe will be invited to join us in person and will be offered a one-night stay with their travel and accommodation costs covered by the conference organiser. Participants located outside of Europe will be invited to join us online.
Contact Info: Tamar Tros, Conference Coordinator
Contact Email: luc...@hum.leidenuniv.nl
9th PeClA 2022 International Postgraduate Conference (Perspectives of Classical Archaeology), Monday and Tuesday, 11 – 12th April 2022– deadline: February 28th
PeClA 2022 is a two‐day conference in Classical Archaeology and Classics aimed at young scholars (M.A., PhD-candidates and/or early Postdocs) traditionally offering a space for presenting research results, discussion, and an exchange of ideas, in a friendly and supportive environment. This year's theme of the conference is:
BORDER ZONES – MEETING PLACES IN THE ANCIENT WORLD
Borders, buffer zones, and frontiers between larger geographic, and cultural entities or social groups in the ancient Mediterranean as well as within the classical societies have always been a central and very popular research topic. According to their contradictory nature, these areas could serve both as demarcations of identities and/or places of interaction. Following the so-called postcolonial turn, some of the interpretative models aiming the role of border zones have been reviewed (core-periphery), on the one hand, while new views emerged in an unprecedented upsurge (various ‘-isations’ phenomena, acculturation processes, and migration theories), on the other hand. Therefore, the primary aim of the conference will be to address all the possible facets of the border zones / meeting places in the ancient world, from the Bronze Age to the Late Antiquity.
The postgraduate conference follows the Adaptation and Creativity along the Border Zones – conference (https://borderzones2021.wordpress.com/), which focused on more general and methodological aspects. The main task and objective of our conference is to discuss concepts, strategies and transformations of border zones / meeting places in the ancient world using specific case studies from the Mediterranean in a broader sense; we seek to comment on the cultural and social aspects of the borders on a macro or micro level (e.g. Aegean region, Attica, polis), the geographic and environmental characteristics of assumed demarcations, the economic potentials of frontiers, the significance of border zones for the identity formation, and that of meeting areas as socalled spheres of interaction. These and further questions should allow us to understand the border zones as an inherent part of the ancient world relating to its transformation and development between the 3rd millennium BCE and 5th century AD.
Conceived broadly, this theme gives postgraduate students and young researchers the full opportunity to present and discuss their opinions and thoughts applicable to the theme. Papers from postgraduates in all stages of their research, both theoretical and practical are welcome.
Keynote lectures: Prof. Dr. Naoíse Mac Sweeney Institut für Klassische Archäologie Universität Wien, Dr. Francesco Iacono Dipartimento di Storia Culture Civiltà Alma Mater Studiorum, Università di Bologna
More detailed abstracts (in English) of 150-300 words specifying methodology and the main results for a 20‐minute paper or a poster (portrait, paper size 70x100 cm) are expected before February 28th, 2022 by email at: pecla.co...@ff.cuni.cz. Should you have any further enquiries, please use the same e‐mail address before the deadline. Applicants will be notified by the beginning of March.
Conference fee: EUR 20 (covers printed materials, refreshment during the conference breaks, etc.; payable during registration or by bank transfer). More info in the second circular.
Conference proceedings: individual contributions can be submitted by the authors for publication in the journal Studia Hercynia (https://studiahercynia.ff.cuni.cz/en/journal-2/)
Conference language: English (preferably), German, French, Italian
The organisers: Peter Pavúk – Marek Verčík – Elena Paralovo – Arianna Zapelloni Pavia– Zuzana Kroutilová Jamrichov
Notre Dame Graduate Conference on Early Christian Studies, 23rd-25th May 2022 – deadline 28th March
The study of early Christianity and late antiquity has emerged as one of the most exciting crossover fields in the humanities.At the confluence of history, classics, theology, religious studies, archaeology, and the social sciences, the study of this field is inherently interdisciplinary and both welcomes and rewards creativity, new approaches, and a rigorous re-evaluation of existing models.
Papers on all subjects related to the study of early Christianity and late ancient Judaism, as well as late antiquity, broadly defined will be considered. Fields of research may include theology, history, literature, art, philosophy, archaeology, manuscript studies, gender studies, digital humanities, and others.
Two keynote speakers:
Robin Jensen, University of Notre Dame
Éric Rebillard, Cornell University
The conference will be held in person on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, unless the current pandemic should make it necessary to move it to Zoom. We will follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health officials and inform the participants as soon as possible.
For conference speakers, meals and accommodations will be provided free of cost. In addition, modest travel stipends are available based on need. We will assist all participants with finding affordable lodging and food options.
Please submit an abstract of 200-300 words for a 20-minute paper by Monday, March 28, 2022. The submission form can be accessed at https://classics.nd.edu/ecsgradconference. Decisions on acceptance will be made by Monday, April 4, 2022. For further information, please contact hmu...@nd.edu.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Art History Leadership
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) and the Department of Art History and Art at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) recognize that the growth of visionary and effective museum and academic leaders does not stop at graduation. Indeed, critical skills such as project management, effective administration, goal-setting, and professional accountability are often not integrated into graduate experiences. The Mellon Foundation is generously supporting a Postdoctoral Fellowship. Through this position, the Joint Program between the CMA and CWRU will help to create a more holistic continuum of education that better prepares future academic and museum administrative leaders early in their careers. By working closely with leadership, staff, and faculty at the CMA and CWRU, the postdoctoral fellow will learn the academic and administrative intricacies of both museum and academic environments.
The fellow will play a key role as a member of the joint CMA/CWRU team planning the biennial Keithley symposium, named in honor of Nancy and Joe Keithley; assist faculty, curators, and students to develop CMA collections-based projects related to their Mellon coursework at CWRU; and coordinate the new short-term Mellon Visiting Fellowship for artists, scholars, or other thought leaders at CMA, among other activities. Work will include engagement with communities of color and other groups who may feel less connected to art museums from a public humanities viewpoint, according to which the agency and authority of the community is acknowledged.
The fellowship is designed to help the fellow to craft plans for personal and professional development and growth, including through executive leadership coaching from the CWRU Weatherhead School of Management. Through these experiences, the postdoctoral fellow will play a significant role in shaping the future of the CMA/CWRU partnership and obtain grounding for a successful career in museums and/or academic institutions. The fellow will report to both the Curator of Greek and Roman Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art, who serves on the Joint Program Committee and the Keithley Symposium Planning Committee, and to the Chair, Department of Art History and Art at Case Western Reserve University. They may also work with curators, educators, and faculty in other areas of specialization, pending mutual interest.
Applicants should be recent PhD graduates who received their PhD no earlier than five years prior to the application deadline in art history or a related field, with demonstrated interests in the intersections of museums and academic institutions. Applications should include a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest and qualifications for this fellowship, together with a CV, a writing sample, and contact information for three academic or professional references. The one-year fellowship will provide a salary of $45,000 per year, plus benefits. The fellowship has the potential to be extended by a second year. Candidates must be eligible to legally work in the USA. Applications received by March 21, 2022 will receive full consideration, but applications received later may also be considered. The fellowship will begin in either summer or autumn 2022.
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University along with The Cleveland Museum of Art are committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Museum of Art provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity at 216.368.8877 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
4 positions in Ancient history at Groningen
The Chairgroup of Ancient History of the University of Groningen has following vacancies per September 2022.
1: Lecturer (assistant professor) in Ancient History (1.0 FTE, tenure) We are looking for a candidate with a strong and innovative research agenda to complement our current interests. We are primarily looking for a specialist in Roman imperial / late Roman history. We would particularly like to hear from applicants with research interests in contacts with cultures beyond the confines of the Graeco-Roman world.
https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-02S0008X9P. (shorturl.at/eoI06)
We are also looking for a postdoctoral researcher and two PhD students in the context of the research project Anchoring Empire – which is part of the Anchoring Innovation research agenda of OIKOS, the Dutch National Research School in Classical Studies:
https://anchoringinnovation.nl
2: A postdoctoral Researcher on Anchoring Empire: Gender, Emotions, and Language in the Imperial Greek City (3 years)
https://anchoringinnovation.nl/jobs/pd-anchoring-empire-gender-emotions-and-language-in-the-imperial-greek-city. (shorturl.at/nvJM8)
3: A PhD position on Anchoring Empire in the Greek World (4 years) https://anchoringinnovation.nl/jobs/anchoring-empire-in-the-greek-world (shorturl.at/hjwIW)
4: A PhD position on Anchoring Empire and Ancient Judaism (4 years) https://anchoringinnovation.nl/jobs/anchoring-empire-and-the-world-of-ancient-judaism (shorturl.at/ehtxH)
Feel free to contact Prof Onno van Nijf informally : o.m.va...@rug.nl
7 postdoc positions in the Netherlands (Anchoring Innovation)
The Anchoring Innovation research program of the Dutch classicists is pleased to announce 7 new postdoc positions: Jobs | Anchoring Innovation. For more information about this program, please visit the same website. Application deadline for all positions: April 24, 2022.
Please visit our website for an additional 9 salaried PhD positions (same application deadline)!
7 Postdoc positions
Work Package 7: Classical Athens
Athens as a Hub for Linguistic and/or Literary Innovation Postdoc project, University of Amsterdam
Work Package 8: Hellenism
Anchoring Buildings: Reframing Urbanization and Monumentalization in Early Ptolemaic Times Postdoc project, Leiden University
Work Package 8: Hellenism
Egyptian Priests and the Anchoring of Greek Kings: Reframing Greek Honor in Ptolemaic Egypt Postdoc project, Leiden University
Work Package 9: Late Roman Republic & Augustan Rome
Hellenism in the Roman Late Republic and the Augustan period. Anchoring through Translation in Literary and Material Culture Postdoc project, Leiden University
Work Package 10: Roman Empire, esp. Flavian Period
Anchoring Empire: Gender, Emotions, and Language in the Imperial Greek City Postdoc project, University of Groningen
Work Package 11: Long Late Antiquity
Anchoring Religious Change in Late Antiquity Postdoc project, Radboud University
https://anchoringinnovation.nl/jobs/pd-anchoring-religious-change-in-late-antiquity
Work Package 12: Modern Europe
Anchoring National Socialism: the Classical Languages in Germany between 1933 and 1945 Postdoc project, University of Groningen
http://www.anchoringinnovation.nl/jobs
Ten fellowships for the academic year 2022/2023 at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies
The Heinz Heinen Kolleg brings together excellent international scholars whose research focuses on different forms of strong asymmetrical dependency and slavery in all historical periods before the 20th century, and all cultural contexts. It is part of the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) that hosts the Cluster of Excellence "Beyond Slavery and Freedom. Asymmetric Dependencies in Pre-modern Societies" funded by the German Excellence Strategy. The BCDSS approaches asymmetrical dependencies from antiquity to the present and across many regions in five different Research Areas. These form five different thematic and methodological angles. Each of these Research Areas draws on specific conceptual debates and approaches of the humanities and puts them to the test in order to arrive at a new social history of asymmetrical dependencies. For the academic year of 2022/2023 the Cluster will put a thematic emphasis on Research Area D “Labor and Spatiality”. Research Area D no longer adopts European free wage labor as the standard labor relation of modernity. Instead of this approach it takes all forms of labor into account in equal measure: "free" and "unfree" forms of labor, productive and reproductive labor, capitalist and non-capitalist labor relations – in both Western and non-Western societies, from within and beyond European (colonial) history.
The Heinz Heinen Kolleg is calling for applications for 10 scholarships:
· two Junior Postdoctoral Fellows (max. 6 months after PhD) for up to 12 months;
· two Postdoctoral Fellows (postdocs, assistant and associate professors) for up to 12 months;
· two Senior Fellows (full professors) for up to 12 months;
· two Doctoral Fellows (about to finish their PhD) for up to 6 months;
· two Short Term Fellows for up to 2 months.
Even though the thematic focus of the academic year 2022/2023 at BCDSS will be on the topics of Research Area D, applications for the Heinz Heinen Fellowships connected to and touching on one of the other Research Areas are also welcome.
The fellowship comprises
– a monthly stipend of € 1,550 for doctoral fellows;
– a monthly stipend of € 2,400 for postdocs (up to four years after the dissertation),
– a monthly stipend of € 3,000 for postdocs (more than four years after the dissertation, assistant/associate professors),
– a monthly stipend of € 3,600 for full professors;
– travel allowance (outward and return journey);
– basic accommodation;
– a working space including a desktop computer at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies;
– the opportunity to organize a workshop in Bonn and apply for its funding;
– support in organizational matters upon arrival;
– support in finding day care for children.
How to apply
The application consists of the following documents:
For Doctoral Fellows
1. a statement (max. 6 pages) outlining
· a project description;
· structure of the thesis;
· statement on status of the dissertation;
· detailed working plan until completion of the doctoral thesis;
· the relevance for the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies;
· the preferred time period to be spent in Bonn
2. the candidate's concise Curriculum Vitae
3. a list of publications (if applicable)
4. the university degree certificate
5. copy of admission as a doctoral student at the relevant faculty or a current enrolment receipt
6. two letters of recommendation – one of them by the supervisor (sent separately to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de)
For Postdoctoral Fellows
1. a statement (max. 4 pages) outlining
· the candidate's academic interest in the field of dependency and slavery studies;
· a project description;
· the relevance for the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies;
· the preferred time period to be spent in Bonn
2. the candidate's concise Curriculum Vitae
3. a list of principal publications
4. the PhD certificate
5. two letters of recommendation (sent separately to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de)
For Senior Fellows
1. a statement (max. 4 pages) outlining
· the candidate's academic interest in the field of dependency and slavery studies;
· a project description;
· the relevance for the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies
· the preferred time period to be spent in Bonn
2. the candidate's concise Curriculum Vitae
3. list of principal publications
Please send your complete application documents in English, combined into one single PDF file to application[at]dependency.uni-bonn.de.
The application deadline is 15 March 2022.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Successful candidates will be informed by the end of April 2022.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 20th February 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
24th OUBS graduate international conference: Reshaping the World: Utopias, Ideals and Aspirations in Late Antiquity and Byzantium, 25th – 26th February (Oxford, Faculty of History – online)
Our conference seeks to join the ongoing dialogue on utopias, ideals and aspirations in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies by providing a forum for postgraduate and early-career scholars to reflect on this theme through a variety of cultural media and (inter)disciplinary approaches. In doing so, we hope to facilitate the interaction and engagement of historians, philologists, archaeologists, art historians, theologians and specialists in material culture.
To view the full programme and registration links, please visit our website: https://oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2022-conference-landing-page/
to attend the conference in person, please register via this Google Form:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepIg76bsPt9d7I0-2emeMtCH21SMoCKdYKCD8Rbz_jpFqYuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
If you would like to attend online via Zoom, please register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reshaping-the-world-utopias-ideals-and-aspirations-tickets-263227870647
Further information may be found on the OUBS website: https://oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/24th-oubs-international-graduate-conference-2022/
Online Study Tour – Courtauld Institute of Art, The ‘Second Rome’: Byzantine Constantinople Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May
Dr Jessica Varsallona
Cost: £145
Throughout the urban fabric of Istanbul, the past and present constantly intertwine: the domes of the Ottoman mosques, which still dominate the skyline, evoke the architecture of Hagia Sophia, and the streets of the modern city recall the arrangement of the former Byzantine imperial centre. This tour will seek to reconstruct the glories of Byzantine Constantinople within the streets of modern Istanbul.
In 330, Emperor Constantine founded the ‘Second Rome’ on the shore of the Bosporus, transforming the Greek city of Byzantion into a new Christian capital, Constantinople. For over a millennium, until the Ottoman siege of 1453, Constantinople was the seat of the Byzantine emperors and the fame of Istanbul is still tied to its Byzantine (and Ottoman) past. Together with aristocratic and ecclesiastic patrons, the imperial family monumentalized Constantinople and set artistic trends that influenced and interacted with contexts both within and outside of the Byzantine sphere.
This tour explores the artistic development of Constantinople during the ‘Byzantine millennium’ through its famous landmarks. Our journey starts at the Great Palace, which was the main imperial palace of the Byzantine emperors, located not far from the most important church of the city and the Orthodox world: Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom). Traces of the Great Palace are spread across the urban texture of modern Istanbul, while Hagia Sophia (recently reconverted into a mosque) is still one of the main features of the city and object of current cultural debates. We shall then move on to the northwestern quarters of Constantinople, along the shore of the Golden Horn, where, in the middle and late Byzantine periods (11th-12th and 13th-15th centuries respectively), emperors and aristocrats founded astonishing dynastic monasteries and palaces. We shall focus on the monasteries of Pantokrator and Chora, where architecture, sculpture, and figurative art combined into an apogee of the Byzantine aesthetic.
Dr Jessica Varsallona completed her PhD in Byzantine Studies in 2021 at the Centre for Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern Greek Studies of the University of Birmingham. She has a BA and MA in Art History from the University of Milan. Jessica previously taught modules of Medieval and Byzantine Art and Material Culture at the Universities of Milan and Birmingham and is currently Teaching Assistant at the University of Salerno (Italy). She has published articles on Vefa Kilise Camii (Istanbul) and the contextualisation of the Western element in Late Byzantine architecture in Constantinople. She is co-editing a volume on the most neglected aspects of the material culture of the city and currently working towards a monograph focusing on the topography and patronage of Late Byzantine Constantinople (1261-1453).
Theological and Spiritual Dialogue with Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi, Mount Athos
Theological and Spiritual Dialogue with Elder Ephraim of Vatopedi, Mount Athos, the St Tikhons' Orthodox Theological Seminary and the Friends of the Seminary.
Friday Feb 18, 2022 08:00 PM Athens time (13:00 pm EST).
Interpretation will be available in English, Russian, Romanian, Georgian, French and Arabic.
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking on the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoc-mppzwiHdKti_t9kgtq-3OdHLYgg-3F
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Sung, Written and Painted. The Akathistos Hymnos and Intermedial Compositional Processes in Later Byzantium, Göttingen, 2-3 June 2022 – deadline 15th March
Painted cycles based on the Akathistos represent one of the great novelties of late Byzantine art, translating a by then already ancient piece of liturgical music into the world of visual art. However, even though the Akathistos Hymn to the Virgin Mary has been studied quite extensively, the relationship between its text, music, and illustrations has not yet been fully explored.
Building on the Akathistos Hymn, the planned conference will examine late Byzantine intermedial compositional processes. Painted cycles based on the Akathistos should be studied as a product of the interaction between hymnography, psalmody, and visual art - not just as a mere visualisation of a text. Illuminated and notated manuscript copies of the hymn ought to be examined as evidence for varied liturgical and devotional practices. Icons and murals that illustrate the Akathistos need to be seen as constituent elements of sacred space. At the same time, the broader social and religious context(s) for the hymn’s use during the late Byzantine period need to be considered. Methodologically, the conference will have as its focus the concept of intermediality, that is, the interface between various media of cultural expression. The organisers hope that it will contribute towards bridging the methodological gaps that separates various scholarly approaches to the study of medieval culture.
We invite proposals in all disciplines related to Byzantine Studies, broadly construed, addressing the Akathistos - or other medieval evidence with a similar approach to intermediality and compositional processes. Contributions from graduate and early career researchers are particularly welcome. Abstracts of not more than 300 words should be sent to Jon C. Cubas Díaz (jon.cu...@uni-goettingen.de) by 15 March 2022. Travel and accommodation expenses of accepted speakers will be reimbursed. The conference will be held in Göttingen as a hybrid event on 2-3 June 2022 and is funded as part of the "Niedersächsisches Vorab"- initiative of the Volkswagen Stiftung and the Culture and Science Ministry.
Confirmed speakers include: Thomas Arentzen, Guoda Gediminskaite, Friederike Kranig, Georgi Parpulov and Christian Troelsgård.
Eastern Christianity, Nov. 3-5, 2022 – deadline 1st April
Association for the Study of Eastern Christian History and Culture (ASEC) Ninth Biennial Conference
The Ohio State University, November 3-5, 2022
The Association for the Study of Eastern Christian History and Culture, Inc. (ASEC) announces its ninth biennial conference to be held at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, November 3-5, 2022 (with a pre-conference reception on Thursday, November 3rd).
The theme is “Eastern Christianity in New Worlds,” broadly conceived to address the impact on Eastern Christianity of relocation outside its traditional homelands—and its own impact on its new environments (pluralism, globalization). Papers are also welcome that do not explicitly address these topics. This conference seeks to provide a special opportunity for advanced graduate students and recent PhDs to present and workshop their work. Scholars from all disciplines are invited to participate.
Either panel proposals (three papers) or individual paper proposals can be submitted. Send paper and panel proposals with abstracts of 100-200 words for each paper, and a brief one-page curriculum vitae for each participant to Nadia Kizenko (nkiz...@albany.edu). The deadline for proposals is April 1, 2022.
Limited funding is available to provide graduate students with assistance for travel expenses. Paper presenters must be members of ASEC.
Local conference co-sponsors include the Hilandar Research Library (HRL), the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies (RCMSS), the departments of Classics, History, and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, the Center for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies, and University Libraries. For more information on the conference and its venue, contact HRL curator and RCMSS director Mary-Allen “Pasha” Johnson (hila...@osu.edu).
Nadieszda Kizenko nkiz...@albany.edu
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Assistant Professor - Ancient/Medieval Art and Visual Culture (Tenure Track), Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University, in Boone, North Carolina, seeks to hire an art historian with a specialization in Ancient/Medieval art and visual culture (up to 1400 CE), with emphasis on cross-cultural and colonial contact. For more information and to apply, please visit https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/31922.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship
September 2022 – August 2023
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies (SNF CHS) at Simon Fraser University invites applications for the Hellenisms Past and Present, Local and Global Postdoctoral Fellowship. Our search committee welcomes applications that span disciplinary boundaries from candidates working on comparative approaches on the advertised fellowship theme. Applicants from all fields of the humanities and the social sciences are encouraged to apply. Situated atop Burnaby Mountain, east of downtown Vancouver, the SNF CHS is a major site for Hellenic Studies in North America.
Affiliated faculty are members of the Department of Humanities and have expertise in Ancient, Byzantine, Early Modern and Modern Greek history, archaeology, literature and language. The successful applicant will join the faculty and students who make up our intellectual community and participate in the Centre’s seminar series, offering two formal talks on campus. The SNF CHS Postdoctoral Fellow will also offer one talk for a lay audience as part of the Centre’s outreach activities. While at Simon Fraser University, the SNF CHS Postdoctoral Fellow will have opportunities to engage with the content development activities of the SNF New Media Lab. The salary for this position is $50,000 CAD per year plus benefits. The advertised fellowship has a duration of one year.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Simon Fraser University is committed to an equity employment program that includes special measures to achieve diversity among its faculty and staff. We particularly encourage applications from qualified women, aboriginal Canadians, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.
Candidates must have completed their Ph.D. within a maximum of FOUR years before the appointment date (September 2022) and submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, research project outline, and THREE letters of reference. All application materials should be submitted to the Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies, Dr. Dimitris Krallis: hell...@sfu.ca. Please include “Application for Postdoctoral Position” in the subject line of your email.
Applications received by March 1st, 2022, will be given priority, but the position will stay open until it is filled.
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 27th February 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
====
1. NEWS AND EVENTS
"Still 'Caput Mundi'? The Role of Rome between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the Western Mediterranean" (University of Hamburg), 3-5 March 2022
International Conference „Still 'Caput Mundi'? The Role of Rome between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages in the Western Mediterranean“, organized by the RomanIslam – Center for Comparative Empire and Transcultural Studies, University of Hamburg, and headed by Prof. Sabine Panzram and Dr. Rocco Selvaggi.
The workshop will take place on 3-5 March 2022 (in person and on Zoom)
Please confirm your participation by March 3, 2021 (3 pm) to roman...@uni-hamburg.de. You will then receive a link enabling you to access the event.
Byzantine Dialogues from the Gennadius Library, March 8: Lecture by John Penniman "The Residue of Eden"
The Byzantine Dialogues from the Gennadius Library present
The Residue of Eden: Myth and Medicine in Early Christian Anointing Practices
Professor John Penniman, Bucknell University & NEH Fellow at the American School of Classical Studies
Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 7 p.m. EET (Greece) / 12 p.m. EST (U.S.)
In Cotsen Hall and online
Olive oil was one of the most popular pharmacological substances in the ancient Mediterranean world. It appears pervasively in medical handbooks, magical incantations, cultic healing rituals, hygiene guidelines, and accessories for personal adornment. As a drug (pharmakon) with wide application, olive oil provides an interesting case study for exploring the borderlands between religious ritual and medical regimen. In "The Residue of Eden," Professor John Penniman of Bucknell University will offer a re-interpretation of the literary and material evidence surrounding early Christian anointing practices in light of the pharmacological power of olive oil.
Guests attending Cotsen Hall are required to wear a mask and present valid COVID-19 vaccination certificates or certificates of recovery (valid for 180 days) along with ID. For those joining us online, please register at the link below. Registration will allow you to submit questions during the Zoom Q&A session.
For more information & registration: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/events/details/byzantine-dialogues-from-the-gennadius-library-the-residue-of-eden-myth-and-medicine-in-early-christian-anointing-practices
Spring and Summer School Courses of the London International Palaeography School
For general information and course list see: https://ies.sas.ac.uk/london-international-palaeography-school
Online one-day and two-day courses include:
Cognitive Elements of Medieval Manuscript Layouts: Designing and Using the Folio Space, see: https://ies.sas.ac.uk/events/lips-cognitive-elements-medieval-manuscript-layouts-designing-and-using-folio-space
Date: 30 April 2021. Time: 9am-4pm GMT (10am-5pm CET).
Latin Palaeography – Early Book Hands, see: https://ies.sas.ac.uk/events/lips-latin-palaeography-early-book-hands
Date: 7 June 2022 – 8 June 2022. Time: 9am-4pm GMT (10am-5pm CET).
Philosophical and Scientific Manuscripts: From Monastic Copying to University Teaching, see: https://ies.sas.ac.uk/events/lips-medieval-philosophical-and-scientific-manuscripts-monastic-copying-university-teaching
Date: 15 June 2022. Time: 9am-4pm GMT (10am-5pm CET).
The courses are online (Zoom), fully interactive and designed as small group seminars. They can be of interest to PhD and MA students and early career scholars within the fields of Classics, Medieval Studies, Byzantine Studies, Manuscript Studies, and ancient and medieval philosophy and science.
London International Palaeography School fees:
One-day online course: £100 (standard), £75 (student).
Two-day online course: £200 (standard), £150 (student).
Ewa Wipszycka's Warsaw Late Antique Seminar - Summer semester
The programme of Ewa Wipszycka's Warsaw Late Antique Seminar for the forthcoming semester has been just published on its website, but also can be found below. We are meeting on Thursdays, 4.45 (Warsaw time) in the Library of Papyrology and Roman Law or Room 209 (both at the Faculty of Law and Administration UW). Zoom participation is possible as well and those who do not get our weekly message can join the mailing list or ask for a single link - both writing to Robert Wiśniewski .
Semestr Letni / summer semester 2022 (always on Thursday, 4.45 p.m. Warsaw time, Library of Papyrology and Roman Law or Room 209 at the Faculty of Law) and on Zoom.
24 February Adam Ziółkowski (UW) Reading Iordanes in the third decade of the 21st c.: some thoughts on Getica’s Ostrogotha and Skythika’s Ostrogouthos.
3 March Katharina Rieger (UW/Universität Graz), Filling some gaps: Settlements and life-strategies between the Nile Delta and the Gulf of Sollum from Roman to Byzantine times.
10 March Daniel Syrbe (FernUniversität in Hagen), A world of small towns and nomads. The Mauretania provinces of the Roman Empire as ‘areas of limited statehood’ (1st - 6th c.)?
17 March Carlos Machado (St Andrews), Looking for the poor in late antique Rome: identity, knowledge, and power.
24 March Eline Scheerlinck (Universiteit Leiden), Problem solving in Early Islamic Egypt: the Coptic protection letters.
31 March Luke Lavan (University of Kent), Ephesus in Late Antiquity: Urban landscapes from architectural reuse.
7 April Delphine Lauritzen (Sorbonne Université), Monasticism as the dreamlife of Angels: a twist of perspective.
21 April Juliette Day (University of Helsinki), The contexts and contents of baptismal catechesis in the 4th century.
28 April Aleksander Paradziński (UW), The boundaries of genre from Aristotle to Isidore of Seville – Can history be versified?
5 May Arietta Papaconstantinou (University of Reading), The monks and the consul: status and precedence in the resolution of a debt dispute (P.Oxy. LXIII 4397).
12 May Emiliano Bronislaw Fiori (Università Ca' Foscari Venezia), Re-thinking the hereafter in Egypt during the Origenist crisis: The Apocalypse of Paul.
19 May David Frankfurter (Boston University), The Supernatural vulnerabilities of domestic space in Late Antique Egypt (according to magical amulets).
26 May Tomasz Derda (UW), Going to Abu Mena: ‘Marea’/Philoxenite on the Lake Mareotis.
2 June Julia Borczyńska (UW), 'Haec quicumque vides nimio perfecta labore, desine mirari, minus est quam martyr habetur.' Epigrammata pseudodamasiana and the culture of commemoration and patronage of Roman city elites in the 4th-6th centuries.
9 June Phil Booth (University of Oxford), The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople (717-18): Crucible of the Copts?
15 June Ian Wood (University of Leeds), Christian economics in the fifth and sixth centuries.
Medieval Slavic Summer Institute 2022
Pandemic permitting, the 11th Biennial Medieval Slavic Summer Institute (MSSI)
will be held June 4 - July 2, 2022 at The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio, USA)
Application Deadline: March 1, 2022
https://rcmss.osu.edu/mssi
The Hilandar Research Library (HRL), the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies (RCMSS), and the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (SEELC) at The Ohio State University host a four-week intensive Medieval Slavic Summer Institute for qualified graduate students in Columbus, Ohio, every other year. The Medieval Slavic Summer Institute (MSSI) offers lectures in two areas: Manuscript description and access and Readings in Church Slavonic. Manuscript material on microform from the Hilandar Research Library’s extensive holdings forms a large part of the lectures and exercises. There is also a program of lectures on related topics, and other activities.
Applicants must be graduate students with a BA degree and with a reading knowledge of Cyrillic and of at least one Slavic language. Preference will be given to applicants with reading knowledge of Old Church Slavonic or some other pre-modern Slavic language.
For more information, please contact hila...@osu.edu
Note that health procedures required by The Ohio State University must be followed by all visitors, faculty, staff, and students. See the university's website (https://safeandhealthy.osu.edu/) for all its health and safety protocols and the latest updates.
MED Faculty Colloquium | March 2, '22 | 12-1:20pm EST, Eve Krakowski
Eve Krakowski, Department of Near Eastern Studies and Program in Judaic Studies,
Before the Geniza Documents: The Case of a Marriage Arbitration from the Tenth-Century Fayyūm
Wednesday, March 2, 2022 12:00-1:20 pm – 209 Scheide Caldwell or Zoom
Attendees may choose to attend in-person or via Zoom: Registration is required for both options
· In-person attendance is by reservation only, limited to PUID holders, and capped at 25. Boxed lunches will be available. To attend in person, please register HERE.
· Attendance via Zoom: This option is open to the wider medieval community outside of Princeton, as well as Princeton-affiliated faculty and students who prefer to socially distance. Please register HERE for the Zoom link.
Digital Humanities Introductory Workshop - University of Cyprus, May 2022
The Departments of Classics and Philosophy and History and Archaeology, University of Cyprus (UCY), in collaboration with the School of Advanced Study, University of London, invite participants to join a 5-day Digital Humanities Introductory Workshop, to take place between 23-27 May 2022 at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia.
The workshop will offer introductions to a range of archaeological and philological technologies, including features of EpiDoc XML, linguistic analysis (including treebanking and translation alignment), 3D Imaging, GIS, and Linked Open Geographical Data. The workshop will be suitable for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and early career scholars with little or no previous experience of digital humanities. The workshop will be capped at 20 participants. A limited number of spaces will also be available for remote, asynchronous participants. Those participating physically will have to comply with UCY’s safety protocols, which will depend on the epidemiological situation during the time the event is held. Further details on the programme, preparation material (software, readings) and safety protocols will be sent to the selected participants in advance.
In order to register, please complete the application form at <https://forms.gle/igdBo1oUYfNdY5rX8>, indicating whether you are interested in the archaeological, philological, or both parts of the workshop, and in attending physically or online by 17 March 2022. If you have any questions about the workshop in the meantime, please write to alexandrou...@ucy.ac.cy.
Organisers:
· Margarita Alexandrou (Department of Classics and Philosophy, UCY)
· Maria Parani and Apostolos Sarris (Department of History and Archaeology, UCY)
· Gabriel Bodard (School of Advanced Study, University of London)
· Irene Vagionakis (University of Bologna and ENCODE Project)
· Valeria Vitale (The Alan Turing Institute)
This collaborative event is organised in the context of the programme HIPPONAX (POST-DOC/0718/0119), funded by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation and hosted by the University of Cyprus, Department of Classics and Philosophy.
Programme Coordinator: Professor Georgios A. Xenis; and the research project MedCyprus: A Digital Corpus of Painted Greek Inscriptions from Medieval Cyprus (10th–13th centuries AD), funded by the University of Cyprus and implemented by the Department of History and Archaeology and the Archaeological Research Unit (UCY). Project Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Maria Parani.
Documenter les défis de l’Église miaphysite tardo-antique
March 17-18, 2022, Château d'Angers
http://colloque-documenter-miaphysisme.net/index.pdf
Entre 536 et 588 (date probable de la mort de Jean d’Éphèse), un événement historique frappant et inattendu se produit à l’échelle de l’Empire romain chrétien d’Orient : la restructuration d’une importante Église institutionnelle (principalement en Syrie, en Mésopotamie et en Egypte) et à ses frontières (voire même au-delà). Basée sur une affirmation miaphysite (une seule nature incarnée de Dieu le Verbe), cette communauté doit alors justifier son existence (sur les plans théologique, canonique et historique). Privé de soutien officiel et parfois même persécutée, elle entend néanmoins perpétuer son action et développer sa dynamique. Intense, ce processus offre donc la rare opportunité d’observer la reconfiguration d’une Église qui cherche à cultiver un lien fort avec son passé et ses héritages. Ainsi donc un important effort est-il alors consenti pour doter les assemblées miaphysites d’une armature hiérarchique, doctrinale et canonique, au moment où elles sont confrontées à des défis vitaux. Aussi notre réunion aura-t-elle vocation à considérer la formation de ce corpus de références, sa variété ainsi que ses caractéristiques et le devenir de son exploitation jusqu’aux débuts de la domination arabo-musulmane.
Environmental History Lab 29th March 12.00 pm EST (Zoom)
“The Black Death and the Justinianic Plague – Useful Frameworks for Historical Comparison? Insights from Big Data Palaeoecology”
by Dr. Adam Izdebski, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History and Dr. Kevin Bloomfield, Cornell University
Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 12:00PM EST via Zoom
Q&A and discussion to follow presentation
Registration required for this event, please register at:
https://princeton.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtd--uqDwiEtNuyNTHZQujUuasCoRQwWak
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Wisdom Literature in Early Islam” (Leiden: 12-13 September) – deadline 15th March
The Leiden University Centre for Islamic Thought and History (LUCITH) is hosting a two-day international conference on Wisdom Literature in Early Islam. The conference will have a mixed format, with both in-person and online presentations. The conference will address the question of wisdom literature, as a tool of persuasion, to deliberate its content, to analyse its philosophical and ethical messaging, and identify major themes and tropes in Arabic literature, philosophy, intellectual history, linguistics, and ethics, among other things, in Early Islam (broadly conceived of as the first few centuries).
Themes the conference could address:
· Transmission of wisdom literature, aphorisms, and texts
· Recurring tropes and themes
· Devotional piety and wisdom literature
· The Qur'an and wisdom literature
· The Arabic reception of ancient wisdom literature
· Tools of persuasion and rhetoric
· Philosophical and ethical dimensions
For consideration, please send a 300-word abstract in English to luc...@hum.leidenuniv.nl by the 15th of March 2022. The conference will be held in English.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, only participants located within Europe will be invited to join us in person and will be offered a one-night stay with their travel and accommodation costs covered by the conference organiser. Participants located outside of Europe will be invited to join us online.
Contact Info: Tamar Tros, Conference Coordinator luc...@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Seeing, Not Seeing, and Being Seen: Vision as construction and as experience in the Byzantine World
The Association des étudiants du monde byzantin (AEMB) is happy to announce the 13th edition of the AEMB international post-graduate conference. For this edition, the selected theme, chosen with consultation with members of the association, is Visuality: "Seeing, Not Seeing, and Being Seen: Vision as construction and as experience in the Byzantine World".
Presentation proposals of 250 to 300 words as well as a brief biography including the author’s institution, their level of study (masters, doctoral, post-doctoral), and their research subjects should be sent to aemb....@gmail.com by April 6 at the latest. The 20-minute talks may be presented in English or French. It is our hope that the Rencontres will take place physically in Paris. Participants’ travel costs may be covered by AEMB if they are unable to receive funding from their institutions. Selected candidates will be asked to adhere to the association.
Link to our website where you can find more information. We welcome you to share this announcement with any students that may be interested.
http://www.aembyzantin.com/xiiie-edition-14-15-octobre-2022-paris/
Illuminating Mediterranean Antiquity through Comparative History: Theorising 'Soft' Approaches 20th-21st July – 4th March
In Greek and Roman studies, comparative history has often been seen as inherently anachronistic, doomed to project modern notions onto the ancient past. Such a perspective is increasingly untenable, as the wealth of comparative ancient history in recent decades has borne significant fruit. This methodology tends to fall into two broad categories: a ‘rigorous’ comparative approach, drawing meticulous contrasts and comparisons, typically juxtaposing broadly contemporary or analogous societies (e.g. Rome and China; cf. Mutschler & Mittag 2008; Scheidel 2009; Bang & Kolodziejczyk 2012; Kim et al. 2017; Beck & Vankeerberghen 2021); and a ‘soft’ comparative approach, using alternative material to generate new questions and angles of inquiry, and explore the limits of the possible (on this distinction, see Webster 2008, 107; Joshel & Petersen 2014, 22; Padilla Peralta 2017, 320). Since the bulk of recent volumes have focused on the former approach, this workshop will focus on the latter: how can the fuller documentation available for, and alternative approaches used in, the study of other periods of history illuminate the ancient past?
Ancient slavery studies have led the pack with this approach, asking new questions of ancient evidence informed by rich understanding of the antebellum US South and/or the trans-Atlantic slave trade (see, most recently, Parmenter 2020; Padilla Peralta 2017; Joshel & Petersen 2014; for overviews, Webster 2008; Vlassopoulos 2011). Economic studies have also profited from such generative comparison (Bang 2008) as has demographic work (Vlassopoulos 2014). Other forays into the ‘imaginative enrichment’ of antiquity provided by later history/historiography highlight the potential for greater exploitation of similar approaches (e.g. Bosworth 1996; Bagnall 1997).
We invite papers from scholars of all career stages (including doctoral students and ECRs) that utilise the history and/or historiography of alternative periods and places to ask new questions of evidence from ancient Mediterranean cultures (broadly defined). Any aspect of ancient political, cultural, social, economic, military, literary, artistic, or religious history is welcome, but conclusions should be grounded in the ancient evidence. Contributors should look to use their case studies to reflect upon the implications of the comparative approach. What are the advantages and limitations of this methodology? How far can comparative history get beyond the generalities of human experience and genuinely shed light on specific aspects of the ancient world? To what extent does this method leave ancient Mediterranean history reliant on the whims and trends of other disciplines? Can comparative ancient historiography contribute to wider historical discussions or is it doomed to be derivative?
Potential topics for comparative illumination:
- Colonial/imperial activities
- Relationships between humans and the natural world
- Indigenous conceptions of history
- Role of family, sex, gender
- Military history
- Religious belief, ritual, institutions
- Political rhetoric and institutions
The conference will take place fully online over two consecutive days (July 20-21). To facilitate discussion, participants will submit papers in advance (early July) for pre-circulation. Each paper will be paired with a respondent. Confirmed keynote speakers include Prof. Rachel Mairs (Reading), Prof. Kostas Vlassopoulos (Crete), and Dr. Jingyi Jenny Zhao (Cambridge).
Please send abstracts of 300-500 words and a brief biography to both stephen....@swansea.ac.uk and dylan....@gmail.com by end of day Friday March 4th, with the subject line “Illuminating Mediterranean Antiquity”.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email either of us.
Living in Late Antique Mediterranean – 4th CISEM INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS, October 17th-19th 2022 – 31st March
The Scientific Committee of CISEM (Inter-University Centre for Studies on Late Antique Housing in the Mediterranean) invites you to submit proposals for the 4th CISEM International Congress "Living in Late Antique Mediterranean", that will be held in Cuenca (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, España) on October 17th-19th 2022.
The 4th International Congress, as the previous three, aims at promoting the scientific exchange on Late Antique world and, particularly, on Late Antique Housing. In the last years the knowledge of housing in the pars Occidentalis of the Roman Empire, as well as in the East, has shown great improvements. The International Congress wants to present and discuss the new data acquired as well as the methodological changes in this field,
through the presentation of archaeological excavations results and new thematic studies.
The Congress will last three days with sessions dedicated to the presentation and the discussion of general topics regarding Late Antique Housing in the Mediterranean, with special insights on particular contexts.
The works will be in presence. If the pandemic situation do not allow it, the Congress will be online.
A visit to Segóbriga is planned on October 16th, and a visit to the Roman mausoleum of Llanes, Ercávica and to the villa of Noheda on October 20th (launch for a fee). During the three days of the Congress, it will be possible to visit Cuenca, with access to the Archaeological Museum and the cathedral.
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA VIA ZAMBONI 33 - 40126 BOLOGNA - ITALIA - TEL. + 39 051 2099111 - FAX + 39 051 2099104
We invite you to submit a synthesis of your proposal in the form of an oral paper or a poster. The papers should be about general and cross-cutting topics, while the posters should be specifically dedicated to the presentation of ongoing research projects or updates on particular sites. Only original and unpublished works will be considered.
THEMATIC AREAS
1.- Continuity and discontinuity in Late Antique housing.
2.- Furniture and decorations
3.- Residential spaces and the scenography of power
4.- Residential topography in Late Antique cities
5.- Villae and working spaces
6.- Building techniques, building site and perishable materials
7. Building transformations in Early Middle Ages
8. Dwelling in Hispania: new results
The official languages of the Congress are Italian, Spanish, English, French and German.
The Congress Proceedings will be edited by the Scientific Committee of the CISEM and will include both the papers and the posters presented during the meeting.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION
The deadline to submit abstracts is March 31st, 2022, to the following address: disci...@unibo.it . The abstracts should not exceed 300 words and should also include the following information: Title of the Poster/Paper, Author’s name and institution, Author’s e-mail address, three Keywords. The content should precisely summarize the topic and it should be strictly related to the themes of the Congress.
The Scientific Committee will select the papers and the posters within May 1st:
• The accepted papers will be 30 max.
• The accepted posters will be 40 max.
A draft programme of the Congress will be sent to all the participants before June 1st and published on the website https://centri.unibo.it/cisem/it
APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION FEES
Registration fees: standard (before July 1st, 2022): 50€ (100€ after July 1st, 2022); Ph.D. students, Graduate students and Research Fellows: 25€ (50€ after July 1st, 2022); undergraduate students: free.
The registration fee should be paid via bank transfer (currency: Euro)
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA VIA ZAMBONI 33 - 40126 BOLOGNA - ITALIA - TEL. + 39 051 2099111 - FAX + 39 051 2099104
- Bank: BANCO SANTANDER
- SWIFT (BIC): BSCHESMM
- IBAN: ES75-0049-6591-1021-1600-6452
- Causal: Name and Surname - Registration CISEM Congress
ATTENTION: In transfers made outside Spain, the issuer will instruct its bank to select the "OUR EXPENSES" option so that UCLM receives full payment.
We kindly ask you to send a copy of the transfer receipt (for undergraduate students: also a copy of the enrolment certification) to the Organising Secretary’s e-mail address: disci...@unibo.it
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Religion, Bowdoin College
https://careers.bowdoin.edu/postings/8344
The Department of Religion at Bowdoin College seeks applicants for a Mellon postdoctoral teaching fellow in religions of the ancient Mediterranean. This is a one-year position beginning on July 1, 2022. The fellow will be expected to teach three courses over the course of two semesters and participate in the life of the department. Successful candidates must demonstrate expertise in ancient Mediterranean cultures and should be able to teach Introduction to the Study of Religion and other courses on the religions of antiquity such as (but not limited to) New Testament, Hebrew Bible, Jewish-Christian relations, Roman religion, and religion courses that cover thematic issues such as violence, gender, and ritual. Applicants must possess a demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and a commitment to the liberal arts, which includes a non-confessional approach to the instruction of religion.
Applicants for this fellowship must have completed their PhD no earlier than July 1, 2018. If they do not yet have their PhD in hand, they must provide documentation from their home institution confirming that they will receive that degree by no later than June 30, 2022. The appointment carries a $4,000 research and travel fund plus support to attend professional conferences.
Bowdoin accepts only electronic applications. Please submit:
1. a cover letter that details your scholarly research agenda, teaching effectiveness, possible course offerings, and evidence of your commitment to inclusive excellence in the classroom. (For an overview of the Department of Religion and its curriculum, please see: https://www.bowdoin.edu/religion/index.html. For a definition of inclusive excellence, please consult the following resource: Williams, et. al., Toward a Model of Inclusive Excellence
2. a curriculum vitae
3. the names and contact information for three references who have agreed to
provide letters of recommendation upon request.
Review of applications will begin March 10, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.
Full Professorship of Byzantine Studies, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
The Faculty for the Study of Culture invites applications for a Full Professorship (W3) of Byzantine Studies (Chair) commencing on April 1st, 2024.
The applicant should cover the field of Byzantine Studies in its entire breadth, that is, Byzantine Greek language, literature, history and cultural history from Late Antiquity to c. 1500.
We invite internationally highly visible scholars in the field to apply for this position. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the research activities of the Department for the Study of Culture and Archaeology, and to engage actively in the Department’s initiatives in research and teaching.
Prerequisites for this position are a university degree, a doctoral degree or a comparable specific qualification, teaching skills at university level, excellent academic achievements and a productive and promising research program.
2 postdoctoral researchers in Byzantine Studies & Digital Humanities (Paris, April 2022, 24 months)
In the framework of the project "DigiByzSeal – Unlocking the value of seals: New Methodologies for Historical Research in Byzantine Studies" (more on the project here) jointly funded by the ANR and the DFG, we are looking for: 2 postdoctoral researchers in Byzantine Studies and Digital Humanities
to start on April 1st 2022 for 24 months.
This call for application is intended for early career researchers, with less than 4 years of experience, but priority will be given to applicants having finished their PhD no longer than 2 years prior to the beginning of the contract.
You will work within the CNRS - UMR 8167, Orient et Méditerranée, équipe Monde Byzantin, based in Paris (5th arrondissement), in the premises of the Collège de France, where the work will be carried out under the supervision of Alessio Sopracasa, scientific responsible of the project.
Knowledge in Byzantine history, sigillography, epigraphy and/or numismatics as well as XML (particularly TEI and EpiDoc) and XSLT are preferable, but not mandatory.
Please note that in order to submit your application you will have to sign up on the job portal of the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), where the 2 calls (one per vacancy) are available, with further information and requirements:
NB: there are two calls, one for each vacancy. They are identical (same profile, same planned activities, same salary etc.), and you can submit your application to either call. After clicking on the “Apply” button you will be able to create your account and submit your application.
The applications will have to be submitted only through the CNRS portal by March 15th.
Assistant Professor of Christian Near Eastern Languages, Catholic University of America
The Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures at The Catholic University of America seeks to fill an Assistant Professor position in Christian Near Eastern Languages, to begin in Fall 2022.
The Department has a particular interest in candidates with strong skills in Classical Arabic and who also work extensively in Christian Arabic. Ideally the candidate will also be able to teach at least one other Christian Near Eastern language, such as Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, and/or Syriac, and thereby complement the existing strengths of the faculty. See the department website for information on courses regularly taught. Candidates should possess a strong commitment to scholarly research, teaching, and engaging with graduate students in research.
We seek candidates who understand, are enthusiastic about, and will make a significant contribution to the mission of the University, which reads as follows: “As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church. Dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.”
Applications should include the following:
● A curriculum vitae
● A letter of interest
● 1–3 sample publications
● teaching portfolio
● A list of at least three references
● A one- to two-page personal statement indicating how your research, teaching, and service will make a distinctive contribution to our University’s mission and to the vision of Catholic education outlined in the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
Application materials should be sent via email to Dr. Andrew Gross (gro...@cua.edu) and be received by March 7, 2022.
Please direct any questions regarding this job announcement to Dr. Gross. The Catholic University of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Fellowships Migration and Mobilty, Tübingen
The Centre for Advanced Studies “Migration and Mobility in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages” at the University of Tübingen, Germany, headed by Mischa Meier, Steffen Patzold and Sebastian Schmidt-Hofner, invites applications for resident fellowships starting in 2023. The fellowships are available for a duration between one and twelve months.
The Centre for Advanced Studies, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), brings together scholars from a wide range of disciplines working on migration and mobility in Europe and the Mediterranean between 250 and 900 CE. The overall aim of the Centre is to explore new approaches to migration and mobility in this period and to set the scholarly debate in the field on a new footing. For more details on the program, see
www.uni-tuebingen.de/de/93696
Fellowships are available for scholars at all stages of their academic career who have completed their doctoral degree and established an independent research profile. Applicants should be engaged in a research project in any relevant discipline that is related to the Centre’s interests in migration and mobility in the period and area in question. The Centre also welcomes applications from scholars working on migration and mobility in the contemporary world whose research has a strong focus on theoretical and methodological issues. Fellows are required to reside in Tübingen, where they will pursue their own research project while also participating in the colloquia held at the Centre. For the duration of their stay fellows receive a stipend covering accommodation, travel, and/or living expenses depending on their employment situation and the pertinent regulations of Tübingen University and the DFG.
Applications should include a CV, a research proposal for the project to be pursued at Tübingen (2000 words), an indication of the months the applicant would like to spend at the Centre and the kind of financial support they require.
All materials should be sent in a single pdf document to luisa...@uni-tuebingen.de by March 31, 2022.
Should you have any questions pertaining to the details of the fellowship program or the application, please contact the coordinator Thomas Kohl (Thoma...@uni-tuebingen.de).
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 6th March 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
The Gold of Banjska Virtual Public Lecture with Ivan Drpic March 24, 2022 at 4 pm ET
Midway through the quick succession of brief biographical notes about Serbian monarchs and potentates that comprise the so-called Genealogy of Karlovci, a fifteenth-century text, the reader comes across a passage of considerable art historical import. Writing about the great works of royal and clerical patronage, the anonymous author declares that “the pavement of the church at Prizren, the church of Dečani, the narthex of Peć, the gold of Banjska, and the paintings of Resava are to be found nowhere else.” This lecture takes the peculiar reference to “the gold of Banjska” as the point of entry into an exploration of a little-studied phenomenon—the extensive use of gilding in medieval Serbian wall painting. Drpić uses the results of recently conducted technical analyses to illuminate this phenomenon and clarify its significance for finding Serbia’s place on the artistic map of the later Middle Ages.
Ivan Drpić is associate professor of history of art at the University of Pennsylvania. He specializes in the art, architecture, and material culture of Byzantium and its Slavic neighbors in Southeastern Europe. Drpić’s first book, Epigram, Art, and Devotion in Later Byzantium (Cambridge University Press, 2016)—the winner of the 2017 Runciman Prize and the 2019 Karen Gould Prize—explores the nexus of art, personal piety, and self-representation in the last centuries of Byzantium, focusing on the evidence of verse inscriptions. Drpić is working on a second book, The Enkolpion: Object and Self in Medieval Byzantium, which investigates the dynamics of subject formation through the lens of material culture.
This event is organized by Dumbarton Oaks in collaboration with North of Byzantium (https://www.northofbyzantium.org/) and the American Institute for Southeast European Studies (https://aisees.org/).
https://doaks-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jtpsUgixREqjzMHkDm3NGw
Lecture: "The Byzantine Tradition at the Barnes Foundation," 9th April
Upcoming Lecture: “The Byzantine Tradition at the Barnes Foundation”
Saturday April 9, 11:30a-12:30p (Eastern)
Onsite or online tickets available here: https://www.barnesfoundation.org/whats-on/talks-and-tours/lecture-byzantine-tradition
Join Amy Gillette, research associate, and Kaelin Jewell, senior instructor, as they share new research on the Byzantine tradition at the Barnes Foundation. While the collection is best known as a shrine of modern masterpieces, Dr. Albert Barnes designed the galleries as an active educational space to connect past and present experiences of art. He recognized the influence of Byzantine art on 20th-century artists, even declaring that “modern painting developed out of mosaics.” In this talk, Gillette and Jewell will discuss Dr. Barnes’s involvement in formulating the Byzantine tradition of modern art, focusing on his writings and wall ensembles as well as case studies of individual artists. They also consider how the Barnes ensembles shape our experiences and interpretations of the Byzantine tradition in the present day.
Conference program 'Narrative forms in Byzantine Literature: Theory and Practice' (7-8 April 2022)
Fourth Byzantine Colloquium of the University of Buenos Aires
The aim of this colloquium is to discuss case studies that show what is singular to certain key Byzantine narratives; to underscore the concrete influence of works discussing the art of narration upon narratives themselves; to determine the expectations of a given audience; and to underline the interaction between theory and practice of narration.
Keynote speakers include Inmaculada Pérez Martín (ILC-CSIC, Madrid) and Martin Hinterberger (University of Cyprus).
The full program is available here.
The conference will take place online (Zoom): the link and more information can be found here.
Conveners: Pablo Cavallero, Tomás Fernández, Reinhart Ceulemans
Medicine and Healing: The 18th Oxford Medieval Graduate Conference 21st-22nd April 2022
online and in-person at Ertegun House, St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3LD.
Sponsored by the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities, Oxford Medieval Studies, the Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) and the Society for the Study of Medieval Languages and Literature.
Organising Committee: Katherine Beard, Ashley Castelino, Corinne Clark, James Cogbill, Nia Moseley-Roberts, Diana Myers, Grace O'Duffy, Caleb Prus and Eugenia Vorobeva.
To register for online or in-person attendance, please visit our website: https://oxgradconf.wixsite.com/omgc.
Programme
THURSDAY 21st APRIL
9:30-9:55 Registration (in-person)
9:55-10:00 Opening Remarks
10:00-11:30 Session 1: Charmed (chair: Katherine Beard)
• Grace Pyles, ‘The Medicinal Unicorn Horn in the European Middle Ages’
• Emer Kavanagh, ‘Shape and Form: The Use of Sympathetic Magic in Irish Charming Tradition’
• Radka Pallová, ‘Humane Treatment? Animal Bodies in Alexander of Tralles’
11:30-12:00 Break with refreshments
12:00-13:30 Session 2: Call the Midwife (chair: Diana Myers)
• Ailie Westbrook, ‘‘Mulieribus non est dicendum’: Mediated Knowledge in Women’s Health in Medieval Denmark’
• Shir Blum, ‘Appositusque Iuvat Mulierem Parturientem: the Material Variety of Amulets as Obstetrical Aides’
• Rachel Chenault, ‘Experiencing Childbirth: The Search for Female Voices, 1000-1200 C.E.’
13:30-14:30 Lunch
14:30-15:30 Session 3: The Seventh Seal (chair: James Cogbill)
• Ben Hatchett, ‘‘A suitable medicine against all crimes’: John of Rupescissa’s Purgative Plague’
• Stephen Pow, ‘Was Bubonic Plague behind the Epidemic that Affected the Mongol Army in China in 1259?’
15:30-16:00 Break with refreshments
16:00-17:00 Keynote Address 1
• Dr Hannah Bower, ‘Locating Authority in Medieval Medical Writing: Playing with Presence and Absence’
17:00 Drinks Reception
19:00 Conference Dinner (optional)
FRIDAY 22nd APRIL
9:30-10:15 Medicine & Healing at Oxford: Manuscript & Social Session (with refreshments)
10:15-11:15 Session 4: Being Human (chair: Caleb Prus)
• Melanie Socrates, ‘Impatient Medicine: Agency and Urgency in Middle English Medical Works’
• S. Doğan Karakelle, ‘Knowing Horses and Thyself: Spiritual Healing and Rulership Practices in Ottoman-Turkish Veterinary Manuals 1400-1600’
11:15-11:45 Break with refreshments
11:45-13:15 Session 5: Inside Out (chair: Corinne Clark)
• Ruth Rimmer, ‘Healing Through Lists in Lacnunga’
• Colette Sarjano Utama McDonald, ‘A Stitch Through Time: the Besloten Hofjes at Mechelen, Alberto Burri, and Judith Scott’
• Madeleine Killacky, ‘Challenging the Monopoly of 16th-Century Anatomical Knowledge through Pop-up Paper Figures’
13:15-14:15 Lunch
14:15-15:45 Session 6: Sister Act (chair: Eugenia Vorobeva)
• Magdalena Buszka, ‘Saint Barbara of Medieval French Mystery Plays - Healer of Bodies and Souls’
• Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, ‘The Use of Lead Tablets and Anatomical Votives in Medieval Healing Practices: Case studies from the Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo’
15:45-16:15 Break with refreshments
16:15-17:15 Keynote Address 2
• Professor Emilie Savage-Smith, ‘Modern Myths and Medieval Medicine’
17:15-17:20 Closing Remarks
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
ASOR 2022 Annual Meeting session "Navigating the Indian Ocean and Its Inlets: The Red Sea in the First Millennium C.E.
Valentina A. Grasso and Divya Kumar-Dumas invite you to submit paper abstracts and workshop presentation proposals for ASOR 2022 Annual Meeting session "Navigating the Indian Ocean and Its Inlets: The Red Sea in the First Millennium C.E." (In-person). The in-person component of ASOR 2022 will be held November 16-19 in downtown Boston at the Boston Park Plaza. The deadline to submit paper abstracts proposals is March 15, 2022. You can check the session description and submit your abstract by clicking here: https://www.asor.org/am/2022/call-for-papers-2022.”
The Medical Paratext - Glasgow, 7-8 September 2022
Papers are sought for ‘The Medical Paratext’ a conference organised by Petros Bouras-Vallianatos (University of Edinburgh) and Sophia Xenophontos (University of Glasgow), funded by the Wellcome Trust to be held, to be held on 7-8 September 2022 at the University of Glasgow.
‘Paratext’ is a term coined by Gérard Genette in 1987 to refer to the material surrounding a printed text, including titles, prefaces, introductions, and footnotes. The notion of the paratext has recently been introduced to the study of medieval codices, with scholars working on medieval palaeography and codicology currently negotiating its various categorisations and the challenges thereof. An important category of medieval manuscripts that has often been neglected in that respect is that of medical codices. This conference aims to plug this gap by applying the concept of the paratext right to the very heart of the study of medieval medical manuscripts containing texts in a variety of languages, including Arabic, Persian, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and other European vernacular. It thus seeks to make a significant advance in our understanding of how medieval medical manuscripts were used by their producers and consumers.
We are interested in encouraging theoretical reflection on the following subjects/questions:
• Different kinds and categories of paratextual elements (e.g. prefaces, foliation, decoration, illustrations, diagrams, annotations of any sort, colophons) and their significance;
• Transformation of texts through paratexts. How can the use of specific paratextual elements enhance/influence the reading/understanding of a particular medical text/theory?
• Paratextual elements as visual aids, especially, but not exclusively, in scholastic settings;
• The features of scribal and editorial paratextuality in medical works;
• Extensive paratexts (e.g. commentaries and scholia) and their function;
• The mobility of paratexts (e.g. their infiltration into the main text) and thetransmission of the resulting ‘hidden’ paratext;
• Medical paratexts and their reception;
• Paratext and memory in medieval medicine (e.g. through the lens of cognitive theory);
• Paratext as a means of tracing the history of medical codices through time, geographical and social space;
• Paratext as a means of constructing and disseminating medical knowledge.
Confirmed speakers:
• Giulia Ecca (Sapienza University of Rome) Sivan Gottlieb (Bar-Ilan University)
• Fabian Käs (University of Cologne)
• David Langslow (The University of Manchester)
• Oliver Overwien (Humboldt University of Berlin)
• Ignacio Sánchez (University of Warwick) Anna Maria Urso (University of Messina)
• Iolanda Ventura (University of Bologna)
• Elvira Wakelnig (University of Vienna)
Our aim is to hold a face-to-face event. Each paper will be 30 minutes long followed by a session of questions and answers (around 10 minutes). We are looking for papers dealing with original and previously unpublished material; extended versions of the papers will form a peer-reviewed edited volume. For a brief introduction to the medieval paratext, please see the study by Cooper.
Scholars are invited to submit abstracts of ca. 250 words to sophia.x...@glasgow.ac.uk and petros.boura...@ed.ac.uk by 30 April 2022.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Constantine and George Macricostas Fellowship at the Gennadius Library – deadline 15th April
The Constantine and George Macricostas Fellowship at the Gennadius Library supports research on Orthodox Christian Studies with an emphasis on Orthodoxy’s history, religious traditions, and geographical, geopolitical, and cultural reach. Of particular interest is the significant role that the institution of the church played in the broader history of Hellenism. Opened in 1926 with the 26,000-volume collection of diplomat and bibliophile Joannes Gennadius, the Gennadius Library now houses 145,000 titles of rare books and bindings, research materials, manuscripts, archives, and works of art that illuminate Hellenism, Greece, and neighboring civilizations from antiquity to modern times. The collection includes rare and unique items on the intellectual, social, cultural, political and institutional history of the Orthodox Church through the centuries. Holdings of 90,000 research titles in open stacks complement the rare books and other collections to create a comprehensive resource for the history of Greece across ages.
Eligibility: Ph.D. students and those who have earned the Ph.D. within the last 5 years with research projects focusing on the historical, political, and sociological dimensions of Eastern Orthodox religion from Late Antiquity to the present. The fields of study may include, but are not limited to religious studies, anthropology, history, philosophy, politics, law, and sociology. Open to all nationalities.
Terms: A stipend of $11,500 and waiver of School fees, and housing in Athens, normally at Loring Hall. If housing is not available in Loring Hall, fellows will be provided with funds towards their housing costs. Meals, Monday through Friday, are provided at Loring Hall for all fellows. Fellows are expected to be engaged full-time in the supported research from early September 2022 to late May 2023, and are expected to participate in the academic life of the School. A final report is due at the end of the award period, and the ASCSA expects that copies of all publications that result from research conducted as a Fellow of the ASCSA be contributed to the Gennadius Library.
Application: Submit an online application form for “Associate Membership with Fellowship.” An application consists of a curriculum vitae, description of the proposed project (up to 750 words), and three letters of reference to be submitted online. Student applicants must submit transcripts. Scans of official transcripts are acceptable.
For more information:
https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/research/gennadius-library/educational-programs/fellowships
Questions? Contact: appli...@ascsa.org
The award will be announced by mid- May 2022.
Byzantine Studies, Cologne - Scholarships for at-risk Ukrainian academics, students, and doctoral candidates
In response to the current situation in Ukraine, the Department of Byzantine Studies at the University of Cologne is able to award short-term scholarships with accommodation on campus to at-risk Ukrainian scholars, students, and doctoral candidates in the field of Byzantine Studies and related subjects. At the same time, until March 18, 2022 the University of Cologne has the opportunity to submit applications for Ukrainian postdoctoral fellows under immediate threat as part of the current selection round of the Humboldt Foundation’s Philipp Schwartz Initiative. Information below. If you are interested, please directly contact the Department of Byzantine Studies in Cologne: we will take care of the bureaucratic process for you and help and guide you all the way.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Claudia Sode: claudi...@uni-koeln.de
Martina Filosa: martina...@uni-koeln.de
Margarita Sardak: msa...@uni-koeln.de
Urgent Support for Ukrainian Historians
POLY research group Polycentricity and Plurality of Premodern Christianities (circa 700–1800 CE) is housed at Goethe University Frankfurt and funded by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft).
POLY offers five scholarships to Ukrainian historians who are forced to leave their country. Scholarships consist of 3000 € per month each and are initially limited to four months. They address post-doctoral scholars in medieval and early modern history with a focus on religious plurality.
There is no deadline and no formal application.
ICMA Student Travel Grant + Graduate Student Essay Award - due 27 March 2022
The ICMA offers grants for graduate students in the early stages of their dissertation research, enabling beginning scholars to carry out foundational investigations at archives and sites. Winners will be granted $3,000, and if needed, officers of the ICMA will contact institutions and individuals who can help the awardees gain access to relevant material. Three grants are awarded per year, and they are designed to cover one month of travel.
The grants are primarily for students who have finished preliminary exams, and are in the process of refining dissertation topics. Students who have already submitted a proposal, but are still very early on in the process of their research, may also apply.
All applicants must be ICMA members: https://www.medievalart.org/join
Applicants must submit:
1. Outline of the thesis proposal in 800 words or less.
2. Detailed outline of exactly which sites and/or archives are to be visited, which works will be consulted, and how this research relates to the proposed thesis topic. If you hope to see extremely rare materials or sites with restricted access, please be as clear as possible about contacts with custodians already made.
3. Proposed budget (airfare, lodging, other travel, per diem). Please be precise and realistic. The total need not add up to $3,000 precisely. The goal is for reviewers to see how you will handle the expenses.
4. Letter from the thesis advisor, clarifying the student’s preparedness for the research, the significance of the topic, and the relevance of the trip to the thesis.
5. A curriculum vitae.
Upon return, the student will be required to submit a letter and financial report to the ICMA and a narrative to the student section of the Newsletter.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and closures, we can delay disbursements until international travel is safe.
Applications are due by Sunday 27 March 2022. The ICMA will announce the winners of the three grants at the Spring Board Meeting in May.
Applicants submit materials HERE: https://medievalart.wufoo.com/forms/s8n6hh41pddo4a/
Thesis advisor submit letter of recommendation HERE: https://medievalart.wufoo.com/forms/s1bp88u41dw8bt4/
Email Ryan Frisinger at awa...@medievalart.org with any questions.
Ukraine Emergency Fellowships Information
AUSTRIA
University of Graz
Fields of Excellence “Dimensions of Europeanization”
Deadline: March 8, 2022
Duration: March-June 2022
Conditions: stipend EUR 1250; travel cost to Graz (up to EUR 500)
Contact: europea...@uni-graz.at
Website: Graz
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GERMANY
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/Philipp Schwartz Initiative
Deadline: March 18, 2022
Duration: up to 24 months (+up to 12 months extension)
Contact: schwartz-...@avh.de
Website: Schwartz
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University of Bremen – Forschungsstelle Osteuropa
Ongoing applications.
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FRANCE
Collège de France,PAUSE program in solidarity with Ukraine
Deadline: ongoing
Duration: up to three months
Contact: pa...@college-de-france.fr
Website: PAUSE
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POLAND
Polish Academy of Sciences
Deadline: ongoing
Duration: up to 3 months with possibility of extension, if necessary.
Condition: living expenses - 5000 PLN monthly; travel costs from Ukraine to Poland - up to 1500 PLN.
Contact: b...@pan.pl; Mateusz Białas (Mateusz...@pan.pl)
Website: PAN
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SWITZERLAND
Swiss National Science Foundation
Deadline: ongoing
Duration: 12 months (+up to 12 additional months)
Conditions: CHF 110 000
CONTACT: scientific...@snf.ch and Matt Kimmich matt.k...@snf.ch
Website: SNSF
For Ukraine Emergency Fellowships at Tel Aviv University, Israel - go to the link:
https://english.m.tau.ac.il/news/ukrainian_student_fellowship_fund
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 13th March 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
4. SPBS STATEMENT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR UKRAINIAN SCHOLARS AND REFUGEES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
OXFORD BYZANTINE GRADUATE SEMINAR
HILARY TERM 2022
Mondays, 12:30-14:00 (GMT), via Zoom.
To register, please contact the organiser at james....@worc.ox.ac.uk.
Please note that there is no need to register if you have previously subscribed to the seminar mailing list.
14th March
Margherita Riso (Leicester), Churches at a Crossroads: Archaeological and Landscape Assessment of a Rural Sacred Landmark in Central Sicily
21st March
Canan Arıkan (Vienna), Clerics and Building in Early Byzantine Inscriptions
28th March
Blake Lorenz (KU Leuven), The Epigraphy of the Dome of the Rock in Relation to the Sacred Landscape of Jerusalem
Hesychasm in Context: Theology and Society in the Fourteenth Century
The Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Maison Française d’Oxford invite you to attend the hybrid conference Hesychasm in Context: Theology and Society in the Fourteenth Century, Thursday 17th – Friday 18th March 2022.
To register for the in-person event (including lunches), please email Dr Rei Hakamada (rei.ha...@theology.ox.ac.uk) as soon as possible, as numbers are limited.
Registration to participate online is via the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArc-2trj4iGdfuVWLi81Wc0ybeFo43Xx-i
PROGRAMME
Thursday 17th March, Lecture Room, Ioannou Centre for Classical and Byzantine Studies, 66 St. Giles’, Oxford, OX1 3LU
9.00: Welcome
9.15: Rei Hakamada (Okayama University / University of Oxford), Lay Hesychasts? Isidore and Palamas among Lay People
10.00: Mihail Mitrea (Babeș Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca / Institute for South-East European Studies, Bucharest), Hesychasm and Hagiography in Fourteenth-Century Byzantium [online]
10.45: Coffee
11.15: Ralph Greis (St Joseph’s Benedictine Abbey, Gerleve), The Connection Between Liturgical Theology and Hesychastic Spirituality in the Homilies of St. Gregory Palamas
12.00: Christiaan Kappes (Ss Cyril and Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary), Gregory Palamas’s Theotokos in Light of Latin Contacts and his Reception of Latin Literature in Byzantium
12.45: Lunch
13.45: Marie-Hélène Blanchet (CNRS, UMR 8167 Orient et Méditerranée, Paris), John VI Cantacuzene, the Hesychast Crisis and the Latin World: An Ambiguous Strategy
14.30: Judith Ryder (University of Oxford), When To Speak and When To Hold Your Peace: The Conflict between Demetrios Kydones and Philotheos Kokkinos
15.15: Coffee
15.45: Monica White (University of Nottingham), Hesychasm in Rus?
16.30: Norman Russell (St Stephen’s House, Oxford), Engaging with Islam in Late Byzantium: Strategies of Resistance and Accommodation
17.15: Drinks – The Maison française d’Oxford is delighted to offer participants a glass of champagne
Friday 18th March, Miles Room, St Peter’s College, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DL
10.30: Eiji Hisamatsu (Ryukoku University), The Jesus Prayer and Yoga: The Early Literature of Hesychasm and the Svetasvatara Upanishad [online]
11.15: Vassa Kontouma (École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL, Paris), The Re-enchanted Universe of Iakovos of Nea Skete (19th c.). A Hesychast Response to the Copernican Revolution?
12.15: Final remarks
12.30: Lunch
Virtual Public Lecture: from Individual Stories to Imperial Policy: Seals and the Reign of Basil II, Dumbarton Oaks, March 17, 2022 at 4 p.m. (EST)
In conjunction with the Dumbarton Oaks special exhibition Lasting Impressions: People, Power, Piety, this lecture explores how seals, both singly and collectively, can provide fresh insights on Byzantine history. Inscriptions on seals are a snapshot of a person’s life at the time the seals were struck.Examining the seals of individuals who lived during the reign of Basil II (976–1025), Jonathan Shea enhances the generally accepted image of this great warrior-emperor. A single seal of a reformed rebel opens a new window onto the civil wars that rocked the early years of Basil’s reign. The vast body of material struck in Constantinople uncovers what the emperor was doing when he was not fighting with his neighbors.
Jonathan Shea is Associate Curator of Coins and Seals at Dumbarton Oaks. His book Politics and Government in Byzantium: The Rise and Fall of the Bureaucrats is an exploration of how information from seals can cut through the distortions in the historical record and reveal the domestic policies of Byzantium’s much maligned eleventh-century emperors. Shea is curator of the Dumbarton Oaks exhibition Lasting Impressions: People, Power, Piety, an exploration of Byzantine expressions of identity, faith, and visual culture through seals.
From polyglossia to polyethnia: Culture, Ethnicity and Identity on Medieval Mount Athos The Second Workshop for the ERC Starting Grant “Mount Athos in Medieval Eastern Mediterranean Society: Contextualizing the History of a Monastic Republic (ca. 850-1550)”, March 17th-19th, 2022, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, GFG 01-511 (hybrid)
The participants in this second MAMEMS workshop will explore questions of cultural and ethnic identity on medieval Mount Athos. Of particular importance will be discussing ways of moving beyond traditional discussions of “national” identity on the Holy Mountain, and how more recent scholarship on ethnicity in the Middle Ages might inform the Athonite context. The workshop will be held in a “hybrid” format, with both in-person and digital participation via Zoom. Those interested in attending the workshop should send an e-mail to mam...@uni-mainz.de by March 15th, 2022. Attendees will be then sent a Zoom-link for all of the workshop sessions.
Thursday, 17th March
4:30-5:00 p.m.Welcome, Opening Remarks
5:00-7:00 p.m. Session 1: Changing Identities on Ottoman Athos
Georgios Liakopoulos-Elias Kolovos, In Search of Ethnic Diversity in Ottoman Documents Pertaining to Mt Athos
Sergej Shumylo, The Existence of the Ukrainian ‘Cossack’ Skete ‘Black Whirlpool’ on Mount Athos in the 18th Century According to Archival Sources
Radu Păun, The Languages of Charity. Mount Athos in the Wallachian and Moldavian documents (14th-17th Centuries)
7:00 p.m. Dinner for Conference Participants
Friday, 18th March 10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. Session 2: A Lingering Presence: Armenians, Georgians and Latins on Athos
Gevorg Kazaryan, Historical Evidence for the Presence of Armenian Monks on Mount Athos, 9th-18th Centuries
Marco Merlini, The Geopolitical Role of the Benedictine House in the Ecumenical Athonite Community
Tamar Otkhmezuri, Georgians on Mt Athos: Medieval Georgian Literary Culture and Manuscript Production at Iviron Monastery
12:00-1:00 p.m. Catered Lunch for Conference Participants
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Session 3: South Slavs and Serbokratia
Kirill Maksimovič, Communities and Communication on Mount Athos: Possibilities and Limits of Interethnic Connections Between Russians and Serbs
Kyrill Pavlikianov, The Bulgarian Linguistic and Ethnic Presence on Mount Athos from 980 to 1550
2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Coffee Break
3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Session 4: Liturgy and Living Together
Tinatin Chronz, Liturgical Life of Iberians and Rhomaioi in Iviron: Separate and Yet Together
Srđan Pirivatrić, Concepts of Ethnicity at the Monastery of Hilandar (late 12th - mid-13th Century)
7:00 p.m. Dinner for Conference Participants
Saturday, 19th March
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Session 5: Identity on and beyond Athos
Zachary Chitwood, Shifting Allegiances: Mount Athos, Byzantine Political Decline and the Emergence of a ‘Hagiorite’ Identity
Jost Gippert, Membra disiecta: Georgian Manuscripts of the Iviron Monastery and Beyond
Milan Vukašinović, Mobility, Property, (Extra)territoriality: Whose Language and Ethnicity Mattered on Athos?
12:00-1:00 p.m. Concluding Remarks and Discussion
Derek Krueger on Symeon the New Theologian / in dialogue with Buddhist studies – 18 March 2022
The PAIXUE project is pleased to announce an on-line talk by Professor Derek Krueger (Joe Rosenthal Excellence Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro) titled: Symeon the New Theologian’s Ecstatic Experience and the Monastic Culture of Reference in Byzantium.
Professor Krueger’s discussant will be Professor Stephen Teiser (D. T. Suzuki Professor in Buddhist Studies, Princeton University).
Date: Friday, 18 March 2022
Time: 2–3.30pm GMT
Location: Zoom
The event is open to all but registration essential: please register here.
Please find the poster here and the abstract of the talk pasted below.
This talk & discussion is part of the upcoming workshop, ‘Classical Antiquity in Byzantium and Middle Period China: Revivals and Reinventions in Visual and Intellectual Culture’, which will take place in hybrid format from 9–11 May, 2022. For more information about our workshop and about the PAIXUE Project, please visit http://paixue.shca.ed.ac.uk/
Sixth International Conference on the Ancient Novel: registration now open
Registration for the Sixth International Conference on the Ancient Novel: Roads less Travelled is now open. This conference will take place in a hybrid format, both in Ghent and online. You can find all information about the conference (registration, travel, accommodation etc.) on the website: https://www.novelsaints.ugent.be/ican-vi/. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact ica...@ugent.be.
Lecture: Dr. Alkiviadis A. Ginalis, The Byzantine Aegean: A Connecting Sea, March 23rd at 7pm (UTC + 3)
lecture by Dr. Alkiviadis A. Ginalis, German Archaeological Institute, Istanbul
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 7pm Istanbul (UTC + 3)
Dr. Ginalis anlalyzes how the different islands and coastal areas of the Aegean Sea played crucial roles in economic, social, cultural and political interactions in the complex maritime world of Late Antiquity.
Please register in advance:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsdeqqpzMiEtJ3lh_cns3cJQNtlmSHDAc6
https://aritweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Alkiviadis-Ginalis-update.pdf
Dura-Europos: Past, Present, Future; March 31-April 2, 2022
Yale University’s interdisciplinary ARCHAIA program is pleased to share news of its upcoming hybrid conference: Dura-Europos: Past, Present, Future. This three-day event (March 31-April 2, 2022) is arranged to celebrate the centennial of excavations on-site at Dura-Europos (Syria). Papers and discussion will explore the town’s regional and long-distance ties in antiquity, 21st-century geopolitical entanglements, and avenues for future research. Registration is free, and online attendance is open to all.
For information about the papers and presenters, and to register, please see:
https://campuspress.yale.edu/duraeuropos2022/
The road to Rome: Aspects of religious conflict and mobility in the greater Mediterranean, 700- 900
Organized by J. Berland and F. Montinaro, with the assistance of M. Kleemann and V. Osswald. “Verfügungsgebäude”, Room 001, Wilhelmstraße 19, 72074 Tübingen. The conference is hybrid. For online (Zoom) registration please contact viola....@student.uni-tuebingen.de or markus-pie...@student.uni-tuebingen.de.
Friday, April 8, 2022
9:00 Greetings and introduction
Rome as an iconophile centre
9:15 F. DELL’ACQUA (Salerno) and C. GANTNER (Vienna), Ink, marble, and silver: Pope Gregory III and the Image Controversy
10:30 Break
11:00 A. ALEXAKIS (Ioannina), Palestine, Rome and Constantinople: how do they link in the exchange of iconophile texts? (8th-9th centuries)
11:45 J. BERLAND (Paris/Notre Dame), Proskynesis, veneratio and adoratio of images: conflicting terminology in eighth-century Roman milieux
Frankish connections
14:30 S. OTTEWILL-SOULSBY (Tübingen), The circle of the world: al-Manṣūr’s diplomacy with Pippin III in global context
15:15 R. MCKITTERICK (Cambridge), Communications between Rome and the Franks in the eighth and ninth centuries in the context of religious conflict: books, texts and legates
16:00 Break
16:30 A. RICCIARDI (Rome), The reception of Gregory the Great’s writings between the 7th and 9th centuries: some observations
17:15 K. MITALAITĖ (Vilnius), The Paris Meeting (825): its documents and their authenticity
18:00 Book launch: The Acts of the Council of Constantinople of 869-70, transl. by R. Price with an introd. and notes by F. Montinaro, Liverpool 2022
Saturday, April 9, 2022
Slavic and Saracen (in)roads
9:00 T. LANKILA (Helsinki), The Saracen road to Rome
9:45 M. IVANOVA (Sheffield), Institutionalising Slavonic: the Life of Methodios and the Roman Church
10:30 Break
The road to Constantinople
11:00 D. PLESHAK (Tübingen), Photius’ letters to the West
11:45 F. MONTINARO (Tübingen), John VIII’s letters and the Acts of the Council of Constantinople of 879-80: a reappraisal
12:30 Conclusions
Tübingen Byzantine and Near Eastern Seminar – Summer Term 2022, Thursdays 6.15 pm (CEST)
Convened by the Emmy Noether Research Group “Religious Conflict and Mobility: Byzantium and the Greater Mediterranean, 700-900” In collaboration with the Institutes of Ancient and Medieval History and the Center for Advanced Studies “Migration and Mobility in Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages”
April 28 - Paul MAGDALINO (St Andrews), The Hospitals of Eirene and Theophilos in Constantinople
May 12 - Evangelos CHRYSOS (Athens), The Pentarchy in the Times of Photius (858-867, 878-886)
May 19 - Gabriel Said REYNOLDS (Notre Dame), Religious Conflict in Baghdad: Proto-Sunnism and Its Opponents in Ibn Qutayba’s (d. 276/889) Kitāb Taʾwīl Muḫtalif al-Ḥadīṯ
June 2 - Jean-Claude CHEYNET (Paris), Byzantine Sigillography and Christianity: Texts and Iconography
June 23 - Zachary CHITWOOD (Mainz), A Missing Link? Mount Athos and the Medieval Middle East
June 30 - Vivien PRIGENT (Paris), Byzantine Administration in 7th-Century Africa: New Sigillographic Evidence
July 15 - Alison VACCA (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), Reflections of Roman Masculinity on the Khazar Frontier
The lectures are in a hybrid format. For online (Zoom) registration please contact viola....@student.uni-tuebingen.de or markus-pie...@student.uni-tuebingen.de. For more information, please visit https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/213202.
Byzantine Missions: Meaning, Nature, and Extent, 29th – 30th April, 2022. Byzantine Studies Symposium
Lived streamed from Dumbarton Oaks, where the speakers will convene in person. Upon registration, registrants will be sent a zoom link to the webinar.
Though closely connected with the study of conversion and Christianization in the premodern era, the history of Christian missions has received little attention in recent scholarship. The recipients of Christian faith—individuals, nations, or social groups—and the processes of integrating the new religion have continued to attract analysis, but the agents of religious transformation have been relatively understudied, especially beyond the boundaries of medieval western Europe.
How did Byzantium missionize “barbarians”? To what extent did the motives, goals, or methods of missionaries themselves correspond with the vision of Byzantine rulers who may have sponsored them? This symposium examines the meaning of religious mission in Byzantium and how this concept shifted over time under changing political circumstances. Speakers consider literary works, linguistic evidence, and archaeological traces from Lithuania in the north to Nubia in the south, from Croatia in the west to the Golden Horde in the east. They examine how imperial policy built on or coincided with the unofficial missionary activity of monks, merchants, exiles, refugees, and captives. Concurrent with imperial efforts, Miaphysite and East Syrian churches, deemed heretical by the Orthodox Byzantines, conducted their own missionary endeavors reaching as far as Central Asia and China. What do the mission strategies of sibling Christianities suggest about underlying theological ideals, and what light might these comparisons shed on the nature of Byzantine missions?
The symposium aims to illuminate the inner motives that characterized Byzantine missions, the changing incentives that inspired them, and the nature of their missionary activity; and ultimately to better understand how the Byzantines perceived the universal claims of their empire and their church. At the same time, the organizers hope to throw light on the broader religious dynamics of the medieval world.
Register: https://doaks-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8Ntn0a-XSlaK-pC4itGpTA
Symposiarchs: Sergey Ivanov (National Research University, Higher School of Economics, Moscow) and Andrea Sterk (University of Minnesota)
Speakers:
· Jonathan Shepard (University of Oxford), Missions, Emissions, and Toolkits: Byzantium’s Creative Untidiness
· Alexander Angelov (William & Mary), Byzantine Missionaries, Foreign Rulers, and Conversion to Christianity: Historical Events and Byzantine Reconstructions
· Andrea Sterk (University of Minnesota), Farming, Building, Teaching: Views of Mission from Below
· Anna Lankina (University of Florida & Santa Fe College), Interpreting Accounts of Non-Nicene Mission: Ecclesiastical Historians on Missionary Bishops
· Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent (Marquette University), Mission, Conversion, and Myth in Syriac Christian Memory
· Joel Walker (University of Washington), The Road to Bulayïq: Mission and Translation in the Church of the East
· Tim Greenwood (University of St. Andrews), “Remembering Saint Gregory: Armenian Tradition and Byzantine Mission”
· Jitse H.F. Dijkstra (University of Ottawa), Sixth-Century Byzantine Missions to Nubia in Context
· Andrey Vinogradov (National Research University-Higher School of Economics, Moscow), Byzantine Mission οn the Black Sea and in the Caucasus: New Data
· Maja Petrinec (Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments, Split, Croatia), Byzantine Missions in the West and Central Balkans in Light of Archaeological Finds
· Li Tang (University of Cambridge), From Byzantium to China: East Syrian Christian Missions along the Silk Road
· Thomas Carlson (Oklahoma State University), Competition in Continuity: Christian and Muslim ‘Mission’ in the Late Medieval Middle East
· Sergey Ivanov (National Research University-Higher School of Economics, Moscow), Byzantine Missions and the Mission of Byzantium
Music at Dumbarton Oaks: Special performance by A Far Cry, 3rd April at 4 p.m. (Washington Time)
The alchemy of combining musical thinkers with world-class collections of Byzantine and pre-Columbian art, formal gardens, and scholarly research has been producing amazing results from Stravinsky to the present day. As the 75th season of concerts at Dumbarton Oaks draws to a close, the ensemble A Far Cry adds to and celebrates the tradition of remarkable moments in the Music Room with a concert of works closely connected to the storied institution. In its walls have echoed the premieres of new music by not only Stravinsky but also leading American composers, including Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber, and of newer voices who have held residencies at Dumbarton Oaks, including Caroline Shaw and Jessie Montgomery. Inspired by Dumbarton Oaks’ legacy, A Far Cry presents the program Then and Now, exploring the early and recent musical fruits nurtured in the Bliss’s Home of the Humanities. Every work on the program is by a composer with a relationship to Dumbarton Oaks, both “then” and “now,” and features the world premiere of Woven in Earth and Sky by our 2021 Musician in Residence, David Crowell. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/music-at-dumbarton-oaks-a-far-cry-tickets-294647698197
Music at Dumbarton Oaks: Sandbox Percussion 10th April, 2022 at 7 pm (Washington Time)
Described as “exhilarating” by the New York Times and “virtuosic and utterly mesmerizing” by the Guardian, Sandbox Percussion has established itself as a leading proponent of this generation of contemporary percussion chamber music. The 2022 Grammy-nominated ensemble returns to the Music Room with an exciting, all-new program. Both visually and aurally stunning, it includes two world premieres, one of which is by David Crowell, Dumbarton Oaks’ recent Musician-in-Residence. Also to be performed are works by Andy Akiho, Lukas Ligeti, Jonny Allen, Tawnie Olson (world premiere), and Steve Reich.
PROGRAM:
Pattern Transformation Lukas Ligeti
Sonata Jonny Allen
Rational People Tawnie Olson (world premiere) I. Trolling II. Muting III. Mobbing IV. Listening
From Seven Pillars: Andy Akiho Pillar VI Pillar V
-intermission-
Haiku 2 Akiho
Verses for a Liminal Space David Crowell (*world premiere)
Mallet Quartet Steve Reich
Identifying and Describing the Structures of Textiles
The Early Textiles Study Group (https://www.earlytextilesstudygroup.org) offers a course in English on identifying textile structures. The course is divided into two sessions of two weeks each. It is intended for people who have to analyse and describe textiles as part of their employment or research work: archaeologists, museum professionals, anthropologists etc. It is suitable for people with some practical experience of textiles, for example with some weaving experience and/or work already undertaken with archaeological, historical or ethnographic textiles. Part 1 is on simple weaves and early non-woven structures and Part 2 on complex weaves defined as made on a loom with a figure harness.
The 2022 Part 1 sessions will take place in May (9-13 & 16-20) and in July (11-15 & 18-22)
The venue for both will be Britannia Mills, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, HD7 5HE. https://en-gb.facebook.com/theloftspaceBritanniaMills/
The tutors for Part 1 are textile archaeologist Hero Granger-Taylor and weaver Ruth Gilbert. The number of participants is limited to 10 and the charge per participant in 2022 is £350. We have places still open for both May and July. For further details please e-mail
Hero Granger-Taylor, he...@granger-taylor.com and copy your message to
Ruth Gilbert, plainw...@btinternet.com
Part 1 covers the range of simple weaves. We take a broader view of early textiles than the CIETA course (https://cieta.fr/courses/) and cover in addition linking and looping, twining, pile structures, and weaving to shape. Participants will learn how to analyse and record structures using samples of different fabrics, a standard form and agreed terminology (CIETA supplemented by Emery and Seiler-Baldinger). They will also be introduced to different formats of weave diagram. Types of looms and how these may affect fabric structure will be discussed and some simple weaving undertaken to give a proper understanding of the process. Our aim in particular will be to increase the confidence of participants in their analytical skills, needed especially when faced with unfamiliar or poorly-preserved surviving textiles.
The specific learning outcomes for Part 1 are:
· identify basic weave structures and their variants
· record structures in a standard format
· use internationally-agreed terminology
· explain the relationship between looms and fabric structure
Two Part 2 sessions will take place in London during 2022 People wishing to take Part 2 will be asked to take Part 1 first, unless they can prove they have already the background and experience necessary to follow Part 2.
The tutors for Part 2 will be anthropologist Sophie Desrosiers and historian Lisa Monnas, both specialists in European and Asian medieval textiles. Sophie Desrosiers, who also has experience of archaeological and ethnographical textiles from the Andean region, has in the past been the tutor for the CIETA ‘sessions techniques’.
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Akropolis: Journal of Hellenic Studies
Akropolis is now accepting submissions for vol. 6, to be published in 2022. Research articles on all topics pertinent to Hellenic Studies, regardless of school of thought, historical period and academic discipline, are most welcome. Interdisciplinary articles are particularly encouraged, as well as reviews of recently published books.
All articles go through a double blind peer review process.
The journal is indexed in Scopus, ERIH Plus, Philosopher's Index, and other databases. According to Scimago, Akropolis is ranked as Q4 for 2020. Submissions should be sent via online submission system, and should conform to the journal's stylesheet: http://helenskestudije.me/ojs/index.php/jhs/about/submissions.
For more information, please visit: http://helenskestudije.me/ojs/index.php/jhs/
Call for papers: Narrative and narratology in pre-modern historiography
Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 3-4 November 2022
Convenors: Aske Damtoft Poulsen, Matthew Kinloch, Ingela Nilsson
The aim of this workshop is to bring together PhD students and early career scholars who work with issues of narrative and narratology in pre-modern historiography. We wish to share and discuss different approaches, examine theories and methodologies, and – above all – encourage dialogue between students and scholars working on different periods and different cultures, from antiquity onwards and beyond. Questions and topics could include, but are in no way limited to:
· How should we approach issues of factuality and fictionality in historiography?
· How can postclassical narratology be useful for the study of historiography?
· To what extent are concepts such as worldmaking, possible worlds, and storyworlds useful for the study of historiography?
· How can narratology help us explore power dynamics, subalternity, and minor characters in historiography?
· How do historians negotiate the conflicting demands of teleology and experientiality?
The workshop format is designed to facilitate interaction between the participants, especially that between senior and junior scholars. The 2-day workshop will have ca 12 participants, who will be asked to pre-circulate their papers; at the workshop, short introductions by the authors (15 minutes) will be followed by responses from designated discussants (10 minutes) and a general discussion. The workshop will close with a roundtable discussion introduced by Eva von Contzen, Jonas Grethlein, and Karin Kukkonen.
Please send an abstract (max 500 words) and CV to matthew...@ifikk.uio.no or asd...@dps.aau.dkby 30th April 2022. We hope to provide flights and accommodation (3 nights) for the participants.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Position for PhD students at University of Mainz
Within the Research Training Group 2304 “Byzantium and the Euro-Mediterranean Cultures of War. Exchange, Differentiation and Reception”, which is financed by the DFG (German Research Foundation), there are at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz
2 positions for doctoral research associates (pay scale TV-L13, 2/3 FTE)
to be filled as soon as possible for a contract period of three years. In consideration of the current situation, we especially welcome applications by Ukrainian scholars.
Participating in this Research Training Group are the disciplines of Ancient History, Ancient Church History/Theology, Byzantine Studies, Medieval History, Eastern European History, Early Modern Church History, Classical Archaeology, Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art History, Early and Prehistorical Archaeology (with a focus on Medieval Archaeology) and Musicology.
The goal of the Research Training Group is to examine the Euro-Mediterranean Cultures of War from a transcultural perspective, from the Roman Imperial Period to the Early Modern Period. With cultures of war are understood to be the forms and practices of war as well as the norms, interpretations, attributions of meaning and reflections referring to war. The mutual processes of exchange, differentiation or reception will be explored via four thematic areas:
1. Strategies of justification and legitimation
2. Conceptualizations of persons and groups
3. Rituals and worship
4. Knowledge and infrastructure
A thorough description of the research program and the emphases of the participating disciplines is available on the homepage [https://grk-byzanz-wars.uni-mainz.de]. The prospective dissertation project must address at least one of these thematic areas as well as be housed within one of the participating disciplines. The primary criterion for the evaluation of applications is the originality and quality of the research project summarized in the exposé. Suitable candidates can also apply on the basis of suggested topics – a selection of possible dissertation topics is likewise to be found on the homepage [ https://grk-byzanz-wars.uni-mainz.de/job-advertisements/ ]
Upon acceptance the graduate students are to participate in a structured doctoral program at the JGU Mainz, for which residence in Mainz is required. The Research Training Group offers intensive specialized and interdisciplinary exchange, cross-disciplinary doctoral supervision by two professors from amongst the participating scholars, praxis-oriented courses directed at public engagement (including through museums), a comprehensive range of key qualifications (e.g. from the sphere of Digital Humanities) and diverse opportunities for international networking.
Requirements for the application include a degree (Magister, M.A. or the equivalent) completed with above-average marks in a participating or related field as well as openness to interdisciplinary work.
The following application materials are to be submitted electronically in a single .pdf (in German or English):
• A letter of application (one page)
• An outline of the planned dissertation project (two pages)
• A curriculum vitae with list of publications (if applicable), degree diplomas, certificates of scholarly activities
• Master’s Thesis (or equivalent)
The Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz is keen on increasing the proportion of women within the sphere of scholarship and therefore especially welcomes applications from female researchers. Please refer to any disability status in the application.
For subject-related questions please direct your queries to the corresponding specialists of the Research Training Group, other questions to the Spokes-person.
The application deadline ends by 10th April 2022.
The application materials along with two letters of recommendation from university level instructors, who should submit their letters separately, are to be addressed to the Spokesperson of the Research Training Group, Prof. Dr. Johannes Pahlitzsch, (address: grk...@uni-mainz.de ; subject-line: grk2304_Last Name).
Three open positions for Lived Time project, University of Amsterdam
The project Lived Time: Using and Experiencing Time in Late-Antique Egypt (funded by the NWO, PI: Sofie Remijsen, University of Amsterdam) is looking for several team members from September 2022.
The project examines the uses and experiences of time in daily life as responses to the shifting social norms from ca. 250 to 750 CE. It studies reactions to temporal norms and the synchronization of activities to gain a better understanding of how people in all layers of societies lived together with others and helped shape societal change.
We are looking for:
One PhD-position (Greek papyrology): https://vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/PhD-Position-on-the-Transformation-of-the-Festival-Calendar-in-Late-Antique-Egypt/742532802
Two postdoc positions (Coptic studies and Arabic papyrology): https://vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/Postdoctoral-Position-The-Temporal-Practices-of-Monks-in-Late-Antique-Egypt/742745702
UPDATE: Medieval Slavic Summer Institute 2022 - Deadline extended
Pandemic permitting, the 11th Biennial Medieval Slavic Summer Institute (MSSI) will be held June 4 - July 2, 2022 at The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio, USA)
Application Deadline: March 22, 2022
https://rcmss.osu.edu/mssi
The Hilandar Research Library (HRL), the Resource Center for Medieval Slavic Studies (RCMSS), and the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (SEELC) at The Ohio State University host a four-week intensive Medieval Slavic Summer Institute for qualified graduate students in Columbus, Ohio, every other year. The Medieval Slavic Summer Institute (MSSI) offers lectures in two areas: Manuscript description and access and Readings in Church Slavonic. Manuscript material on microform from the Hilandar Research Library’s extensive holdings forms a large part of the lectures and exercises. There is also a program of lectures on related topics, and other activities.
Applicants must be graduate students with a BA degree and with a reading knowledge of Cyrillic and of at least one Slavic language. Preference will be given to applicants with reading knowledge of Old Church Slavonic or some other pre-modern Slavic language.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Art History, Clark University
Art Historian in Art/ Archaeology of the Ancient or Medieval Mediterranean World, including North Africa. Visiting Assistant Professor, one-year limited term (full-time) for AY22-23. Requirements: Ph.D. in Art History or Archaeology, teaching experience, and active research record. Teaching requirements are 6 courses (3 in fall’22, 3 in spring’23), including introduction to archaeology (fall) and upper-level seminars. Clark University, Worcester, MA is a private, liberal arts & sciences research university offering an undergraduate degree in art history in the context of a multi-disciplinary Department of Visual and Performing Arts. The successful candidate will be able to incorporate their own research interests into the classroom curriculum and to generate enthusiasm from both art history majors and students in a wide variety of fields. Research experience involving one or more of the following ancient or medieval Mediterranean areas is desirable: colonialism/anti-colonialism or migration and translation; gender in built environments and/or artworks; material culture and issues of cultural assimilation; race and ethnicity; and museum and cultural heritage issues surrounding ancient art. Clark University is an institutional member of the Worcester Art Museum, allowing students and faculty first-hand study of ancient and medieval artworks and artifacts.
To apply, please send a cover letter, cv, names of references, teaching statement, and an example of an introductory-level syllabus to ClarkUarthi...@gmail.com We will begin reviewing applications on March 15, 2022 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Queries may be addressed to Kristina Wilson, Professor of Art History, Department of Visual and Performing Arts, at KrWi...@clarku.edu
SLS Call for Grant Applications - deadline 22nd April 2022
The Society for Libyan Studies is calling for applications for funding for high-calibre projects on any topic in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
A variety of different grants up to £8,000 are available to support travel and primary research in the humanities and social sciences in Libya and the broader North African region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Niger, Mali, Chad, Sudan) and to explore connections between North Africa and the Mediterranean or sub-Saharan Africa. Research may take place within the region, or be UK-based, depending on its nature.
In addition, this year the Society is able to offer at least two North Africa Postdoctoral Writing Fellowships that provide up to £8,000 to support the writing-up of already completed research on North Africa in the humanities and social sciences. The awards are explicitly intended to support early career scholars ordinarily resident in the UK (within eight years of the PhD) who have not yet been appointed to a permanent academic post, who frequently lack the time and resources they need to publish their work.
For full details go to http://www.societyforlibyanstudies.org/research-activity/society-grants/
Applications should be submitted to me gensec@societyforlibyanstudies.org by midnight (GMT) on Friday, April 22nd 2022.
4. SPBS STATEMENT ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR UKRAINIAN SCHOLARS AND REFUGEES
United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland
Council for At Risk Academics
The Council for At Risk Academics (CARA) is a UK-based organisation which offers academic, financial, and practical support, to academics and their families who are in immediate danger, forced into exile, or who continue to work in their home countries despite serious risk.
Several members of the Executive Committee of the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies (SPBS) are affiliated with universities who are part of the CARA network.
This includes:
· University of Birmingham (Daniel Reynolds, d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk)
· University of Cambridge (Olenka Pevny, oz...@cam.ac.uk)
· University College London (Sergei Bogatyrev, s.bog...@ucl.ac.uk)
· King’s College London (Alexandra Vukovich, alexandra...@kcl.ac.uk)
· University of Oxford (Natalia Nowakowska, natalia.n...@some.ox.ac.uk)
· University of Leeds (Maroula Perisanidi, M.Peri...@leeds.ac.uk)
· University of Nottingham (Monica White, Monica...@nottingham.ac.uk)
· University of Sheffield (Mirela Ivanova, mirela....@sheffield.ac.uk)
· University of St Andrews (Anna Kelley ac...@st-andrews.ac.uk)
The Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies is happy to offer support to applications from Ukrainian Byzantinists, or Ukrainian academics working in a related discipline (such as medieval studies, including the study of early Rus), who wish to make an application to one of the institutions within the CARA network.
To contact the SPBS directly, please email:
Dr Daniel Reynolds: d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk
Further information on the CARA scheme, including a list of member institutions, may be found here: https://www.cara.ngo/who-we-are/partners-and-supporters/cara-scholars-at-risk-uk-universities-network/
Donate: The CARA network also accepts donations to support their activities. Further information may eb found here: https://www.cara.ngo/how-to-help/donations/
Universities of Sanctuary Scheme
The Universities of Sanctuary Scheme works closely with the UK Cities of Sanctuary Scheme to provide support to refugees and people seeking political asylum in the UK Higher Education network.
Further information on the United Kingdom network may be found here: Universities of Sanctuary | Building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in Higher Education (cityofsanctuary.org)
Further information on the network within the Republic of Ireland may be found here: https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/universities-and-colleges-of-sanctuary
Information on the United Kingdom Cities of Sanctuary may be found here: List of City of Sanctuary groups | City of Sanctuary
Free English tuition for Ukrainian nationals
Oxford International Education Group is offering free English language and cultural preparation courses for Ukrainian nationals arriving in the country. The courses will be delivered fully online and can be accessed from mobile phone
Further Information may be found here: OI Digital Institute I University courses and tests online
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Великобританія та Республіка Ірландія
Рада вчених з групи ризику
Рада вчених з групи ризику (CARA) — це організація, що базується у Великобританії, яка надає академічну, фінансову та практичну підтримку вченим та їхнім сім’ям, які перебувають у безпосередній небезпеці, змушені перебувати у вигнанні або продовжують працювати у своїх країнах, незважаючи на серйозний ризик.
Декілька членів Виконавчого комітету Товариства сприяння візантійським дослідженням (SPBS) пов’язані з університетами, які входять до мережі CARA.
Це включає:
· University of Birmingham (Daniel Reynolds, d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk)
· University of Cambridge (Olenka Pevny, oz...@cam.ac.uk)
· University College London (Sergei Bogatyrev, s.bog...@ucl.ac.uk)
· King’s College London (Alexandra Vukovich, alexandra...@kcl.ac.uk)
· University of Oxford (Natalia Nowakowska, natalia.n...@some.ox.ac.uk)
· University of Leeds (Maroula Perisanidi, M.Peri...@leeds.ac.uk)
· University of Nottingham (Monica White, Monica...@nottingham.ac.uk)
· University of Sheffield (Mirela Ivanova, mirela....@sheffield.ac.uk)
· University of St Andrews (Anna Kelley ac...@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Товариство візантинознавців пропонує підтримку науковим проектам українських візантіністів або українських учених, що працюють у суміжній дисципліні (наприклад, медієвістики, включаючи Стародавню Русь), які бажають подати заявку до однієї з установ мережі CARA.
Щоб зв’язатися безпосередньо з SPBS, будь ласка, скористайтесь електронною поштою:
Dr Daniel Reynolds: d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk
Додаткову інформацію про схему CARA, включаючи список установ-членів, можна знайти тут: https://www.cara.ngo/who-we-are/partners-and-supporters/cara-scholars-at-risk-uk-universities-network/
Пожертвувати: мережа CARA також приймає пожертви на підтримку своєї діяльності. Додаткову інформацію можна знайти тут: https://www.cara.ngo/how-to-help/donations/
Університетські програми організації притулків для біженців (Universities of Sanctuary Scheme)
Програма університетів тісно співпрацює з програмами міст Сполученого Королівства, щоб надавати підтримку біженцям і людям, які шукають політичного притулку і можуть скористатися програмами мережі вищої освіти Великобританії.
Додаткову інформацію про притулки для біженців Сполученого Королівства можна знайти тут:
Додаткову інформацію про мережу в Ірландії можна знайти тут: https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/universities-and-colleges-of-sanctuary
Інформацію про притулки для біженців Сполученого Королівства можна знайти тут:
List of City of Sanctuary groups | City of Sanctuary
Безкоштовне навчання англійської мови для громадян України
Oxford International Education Group пропонує безкоштовні підготовчі курси англійської мови та культури для громадян України, які прибувають до країни. Курси проводитимуться повністю онлайн та доступні з мобільного телефону.
Додаткову інформацію можна знайти тут: OI Digital Institute I University courses and tests online
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Соединенное Королевство и Республика Ирландия
Совет, созданный для ученых, подвергающихся риску
Совет по делам ученых, подвергающихся риску (CARA) - это британская организация, которая предлагает академическую, финансовую и практическую поддержку ученым и их семьям, находящимся в непосредственной опасности, вынужденным покинуть родину или продолжающим работать в своих странах, несмотря на серьезный риск.
Несколько членов Исполнительного комитета Общества содействия византийским исследованиям (SPBS) связаны с университетами, входящими в сеть CARA.
К ним относятся:
· University of Birmingham (Daniel Reynolds, d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk)
· University of Cambridge (Olenka Pevny, oz...@cam.ac.uk)
· University College London (Sergei Bogatyrev, s.bog...@ucl.ac.uk)
· King’s College London (Alexandra Vukovich, alexandra...@kcl.ac.uk)
· University of Oxford (Natalia Nowakowska, natalia.n...@some.ox.ac.uk)
· University of Leeds (Maroula Perisanidi, M.Peri...@leeds.ac.uk)
· University of Nottingham (Monica White, Monica...@nottingham.ac.uk)
· University of Sheffield (Mirela Ivanova, mirela....@sheffield.ac.uk)
· University of St Andrews (Anna Kelley ac...@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Общество содействия развитию византийских исследований предлагает поддержку украинским византинистам или украинским ученым, работающим в смежных дисциплинах (например, медиевистика, включая Древнюю Русь), которые хотят подать заявку в одно из учреждений сети CARA.
Чтобы связаться с SPBS напрямую, пожалуйста, напишите по электронной почте:
Dr Daniel Reynolds: d.k.re...@bham.ac.uk
Дополнительную информацию о схеме CARA, включая список учреждений-участников, можно найти здесь: https://www.cara.ngo/who-we-are/partners-and-supporters/cara-scholars-at-risk-uk-universities-network/
Пожертвования: Сеть CARA также принимает пожертвования для поддержки своей деятельности. Дополнительную информацию можно найти здесь: https://www.cara.ngo/how-to-help/donations/
Программа «Университеты-убежища»
Программа «Университеты убежища» тесно сотрудничает с Программой «Города-убежища» Великобритании, предоставляя поддержку беженцам и лицам, ищущим политического убежища, в сети высшего образования Великобритании.
Дополнительную информацию о сети вузов Великобритании можно найти здесь: Universities of Sanctuary | Building a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in Higher Education (cityofsanctuary.org)
Дополнительную информацию о сети в Республике Ирландия можно найти здесь: https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/universities-and-colleges-of-sanctuary
Информацию о городах-убежищах Соединенного Королевства можно найти здесь: List of City of Sanctuary groups | City of Sanctuary
Бесплатное обучение английскому языку для граждан Украины
Oxford International Education Group предлагает бесплатные курсы английского языка и культурной подготовки для граждан Украины, прибывающих в страну. Курсы будут проводиться полностью в режиме онлайн и будут доступны с мобильного телефона.
Дополнительную информацию можно найти здесь: OI Digital Institute I University courses and tests online
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 20th March 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
OXFORD BYZANTINE GRADUATE SEMINAR
HILARY TERM 2022
Mondays, 12:30-14:00 (GMT), via Zoom.
To register, please contact the organiser at james....@worc.ox.ac.uk.
21st March
Canan Arıkan (Vienna)
Clerics and Building in Early Byzantine Inscriptions
28th March
Blake Lorenz (KU Leuven)
The Epigraphy of the Dome of the Rock in Relation to the Sacred Landscape of Jerusalem
Slavic Palaeography Summer School Sofia, Bulgaria from July 25-31, 2022.
The 14th Century South Slavonic Scribes and Scriptoria project is pleased to announce the launch of its new international 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 25-31, 2022.
For all the application information and deadlines, please visit our website: https://kopisti14.kmnc.bg/en/summer-school.
The Slavic Palaeography Summer School is organised by the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. In collaboration with the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Centre for Slavo-Byzantine Studies “Professor Ivan Dujčev” and the SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library, we offer the participants the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in the field of Slavic Palaeography according to its latest analysis methods and study approaches.
The Summer School will take place from 25-31 July in Sofia, Bulgaria. Our daily activities will be hosted by several academic institutions in Sofia and will see a series of morning lectures on Slavic Palaeography followed by afternoon workshops and practical study sessions focusing on South Slavic handwritings. It will be possible, afterwards, to explore the city and participate in guided tour of the city’s main points of interest.
Eligibility Criteria: The Summer School is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as young researchers interested in Slavic Studies. A good knowledge of English and Russian is essential, for all activities will be conducted in these two languages. Some background knowledge of Church Slavonic is also expected.
Application information and deadlines: To apply, it will be necessary to fill in the form below, which includes uploading a letter of motivation and an academic Curriculum Vitae. Please include information such as your research interests and how your academic profile fits within the scope of the Summer School. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please note that there will be limited spaces for the Summer School and that only 15 students will be selected.
Terms and Conditions: participants are asked to cover their travel cost to and from Sofia as well as their personal daily expenses. However, financial support is provided and will cover the cost of tuition, accomodation (only if the student is not living already in Sofia), daily lunch and refreshments, and additional tools for the afternoon workshops.
The Summer School is to be organised with the financial support of the BG05M2OP001-1.001-0001 Project for the Establishment and Development of the Heritage BG Center of Excellence within the framework of the projects "Kirillomethodikon" and "Fourteenth Century South Slavonic scribes and scriptoria (palaeographical attribution and online repertorium) Nº KP-06-N50/4" of the Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre at BAS
Cappadocia in Context Summer Program, 20 June – 4 July 2022
Date: 20 June – 4 July 2022
Place: Cappadocia, Nevşehir
Application Deadline: 14 April 2022 (GMT+3, Turkey local time)
Organized by Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED), this 2 weeks intensive program is open to the participation of young researchers at the master’s and doctoral level and aims to provide conceptualisation methods of the rich cultural heritage of Cappadocia’s Byzantine and Post-Byzantine past in the historical and artistic context, accompanied by field studies, research and presentations. Within its breathtaking volcanic landscape, Cappadocia preserves extensive rock-cut features from the Byzantine period, including more than a thousand rock-cut churches and chapels (one-third of which preserve significant elements of their painted decoration), as well as monasteries, houses, villages, towns, cemeteries, and fortresses. The region is unrivaled in terms of its material culture, but because it lacks a written history, the monuments of Cappadocia remain poorly known to most Byzantinists.
The language of the program is English. For more information about the program and how to apply please see: https://anamed.ku.edu.tr/en/programs/cappadocia-in-context-summer-program/.
Instructor: Prof. Robert OUSTERHOUT (University of Pennsylvania)
Prof. Ousterhout (PhD University of Illinois) is Professor Emeritus in the History of Art at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught 2007-17. A recognized specialist in Byzantine architecture, his research focuses on the documentation and interpretation of the vanishing architectural heritage of the eastern Mediterranean. His current fieldwork concentrates on Byzantine architecture, monumental art, and urbanism in Constantinople, Cappadocia, and Jerusalem. Since 2011 he has co-directed the “Cappadocia in Context” graduate seminar. His most recent book is Visualizing Community: Art Material Culture, and Settlement in Byzantine Cappadocia, Dumbarton Oaks Studies 46 (Washington, DC, 2017). His book Eastern Medieval Architecture (Oxford University Press in 2019), was awarded the 2021 Haskins Medal by the Medieval Academy of America.
International Conference: The Byzantines and the Sea in Texts and Images, Venice-Online, 25th-27thMarch 2022
Sala del Capitolo, Castello 3412 (Ponte dei Greci), 30122 Venezia Site: www.istitutoellenico.org - Email: in...@istitutoellenico.org
Friday 25 March
17.30 Arrival / Registration
Introduction
18.00 Vasileios Koukousas: Welcoming Address
18.15 Theodora Antonopoulou: Opening Remarks
SESSION Α: The Empire, the Sea (Part I) Chair: Vasileios Koukousas
18.30 Niccolò Zorzi: Mare e laguna nelle fonti bizantine relative a Venezia
Saturday 26 March
SESSION Β: The Empire, the Sea (Part II) Chair: Bernard Flusin
9.30 Gelina Harlaftis, The Relation of Man and the Sea: the Approach of Maritime History
10.00 Vivien Prigent, Boulevards de mer: l’administration insulaire et la défense de l’empire
10.30 Salvatore Cosentino: I monaci e l’«Ufficio del mare». Storie di navi e privilegi del XII secolo
11.00 Coffee break
SESSION C: The Images and the Sea Chair: Theodora Antonopoulou
11.30 Henry Maguire,Sea Magic in Byzantine Art and Literature: John Geometres and Symeon Metaphrastes
12.00 Michele Bacci, The Sea as a Factor in the Visual Experience of Saint Nicholas
12.30 Anastasia Drandaki, Safe Travels. Taming the Seas through Image, Word, and Sacred Matter in Byzantium
13.00 Lunch break
SESSION D: The Sea and the Texts (Part I) Chair: Antonio Rigo
16.00 Christos Arabatzis & Georgios Pitsinelis, Place et fonctions de la mer dans les textes hagiographiques proto-byzantins
16.30 Marina Detoraki, La mer dans les Miracles des saints Cyr et Jean par Sophrone
17.00 Vincent Deroche, La mer dans le De Aedificiis de Procope
Sunday 27 March
9.00 Optional, Any time: Visit to the Icons Museum of the Institute and, following the Liturgy, to the Church of St George of the Greeks (S. Giorgio dei Greci)
SESSION E: The Sea and the Texts (Part II) Chair: Vincent Deroche
12.00 Alessandra Bucossi, La percezione del mare nelle metafore delle fonti patristiche e della letteratura religiosa bizantina
12.30 Floris Bernard, Constantinople and the Sea in Byzantine Poetry: Landscape and Travel
13.00 Marina Loukaki, La mer et la mort: thèmes marins dans les textes funéraires à Byzance
13.30 Lunch break
SESSION F: The Sea and the Texts (Part III) Chair: Alessandra Bucossi
16.00 Corinne Jouanno: La mer dans les romans de l’époque des Comnènes
16.30 Antonio Rigo: Il mare nell’opera (e nella vita) di Gregorio Palamas
Conclusion
17.00 Bernard Flusin: Closing Remarks and Discussion
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
The Longue Durée of Cultural Heritage. Curation of the Past from Antiquity to the Present Day – deadline 15th May
An interdisciplinary conference at the Norwegian Institute in Rome (University of Oslo), 5.-7. December 2022. In collaboration with the Heritage Experience Initiative (HEI), University of Oslo.
Confirmed invited speakers include Thora Petursdottir (HEI/University of Oslo), David C. Harvey (Aarhus University), Birgit Meyer (University of Utrecht), Chiara Mannoni (Ca' Foscari University of Venice), Lars Boje Mortensen (University of Southern Denmark), Anne Eriksen (University of Oslo), Arnold Witte (University of Amsterdam), and Christopher Whitehead (Newcastle University).
Across the world, there is a burgeoning interest in cultural heritage, among academics and professionals, as well as in politics. While heritage is typically thought of as a modern concept with origins in the late-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, there is ample proof that pre-modern societies curated their pasts in highly comparable ways. Starting from the understanding of cultural heritage as a process, we recognize certain practices regarding the management of spaces, monuments, and objects in pre- and early modern societies as congruent to types of activity commonly placed within the heritage rubric. By adopting a long-term approach to the subject, this conference aims to create opportunities for new lines of research across disciplines. This includes examining historical examples to contextualize, interrogate, and deepen our understanding of modern approaches to heritage. Moreover, developments in contemporary heritage theory and practice can provide a fresh and productive framework for examining and categorizing processes in the past. By bringing together scholars working on issues of heritage in the present day with those studying similar ideas in more remote, historical contexts, this interdisciplinary conference aims to foster a dialogue which can enrich analyses of heritage practices in the past and in the present day.
We invite contributions from scholars with a contemporary and/or historical focus (in particular, we welcome research on pre-modern periods). Relevant themes include (but are not restricted to):
. Methodologies of heritage
. Case studies of pre-modern heritage curation/preservation
. Authenticity
. Destruction and iconoclasm
. Ruins and reconstructions
. Commodification
. Preservation as deconsecration
. Restoration
. Are texts intangible heritage? Textual heritage(s) and their material dimensions - epigraphy, archives, corpora, etc.
. Images/representations of heritage processes
Please submit a paper proposal of max. 250 words and a short CV (half page) to k.b.aav...@roma.uio.no
no later than 15 May 2022.
Scholars without funding from their home institutions can apply for travel grants to the same address.
https://www.hf.uio.no/dnir/english/
Music and the Order of the World from Antiquity to the 19th Century. An International and Interdisciplinary Conference October 13-15, 2022, Musikhochschule Lübeck (D) – deadline 30th April
Conference Team:
Prof. Dr. Christine Blättler, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel
Professor Mor Segev, University of South Florida
Prof. Dr. Christiane Tewinkel, Musikhochschule Lübeck
Keynote lecture (October 14) by Prof. Dr. Marietta Auer, MA, LL.M., SJD (Harvard), Max-Planck-Institut für Rechtsgeschichte und Rechtstheorie
An interdisciplinary conference to be held in Lübeck in October 2022 will discuss the question of how music and order are related, with a special focus on the centuries spanning classical antiquity and the ‘long’ 19th century. This opens up a historical panorama that points to themes and questions concerning musical grammar and its interaction with processes of performing and listening to music, music-related taxonomies, and subversive processes set in motion by music. Indeed, the panorama in question also comprises references to ancient ideas of a musica mundana, which, while not sounding itself, finds a counterpart in mathematically describable proportions as well as in systematic observations of the relationship between planets and “spheres”. The Pythagoreans already recognized a meaningful order in the movements of the celestial bodies that possibly becomes manifest in sound. Socrates, in Plato’s Republic, granted harmonics an important place in philosophical education as a counterpart to astronomy, and Aristotle assumed that musical education is indispensable for citizens of the ideal polis and their proper character development.
Music is therefore part of a world that has been created from formless matter through determination and order, a world that promises security and orientation. Conversely, this world remains confronted with conflict and the danger of dissolving into chaos. But is (musical) disorder the rule and (musical) order the exception? To what extent does the individual musical work depend on the tension between order and disorder, and even more, is the ambivalence of order possibly a constitutive momentum for the musical work? Also, what is the significance of historical concepts of rule and irregularity? Why, for example, does the ancient concept of a musically ordered world experience a comeback around 1800, and to what extent can we consider the transition to non-tonal music a transition from disorder to order, or from order to disorder?
We are inviting contributions from (classical) philosophy, history of science, musicology, and all other related disciplines. We explicitly wish to encourage younger scholars to participate. Please email a German or English abstract (max. 500 words) as well as a short CV (max. 300 words) to anmeldung.mus...@mh-luebeck.de by April 30, 2022. Conference languages are German and English. Costs for travel and accommodation will be partially or even fully covered. Notifications will be sent out by June 30, 2022.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Max Weber Postdoctoral Fellowship, ESRs affected by the war in Ukraine
The Max Weber Programme at the European University Institute welcomes applications for a postdoctoral fellowship for an early stage researcher of any nationality who is directly affected by the war in Ukraine. We consider applications from candidates who live in Ukraine, have been displaced or cannot return to Ukraine because of the war, or who are directly affected for other reasons that can be specified in the application.
The fellowship can be awarded to an early stage researcher who is within five years of the award of the PhD, or who has completed the work required toward the PhD (“all-but-defended”) when starting the fellowship. Furthermore, the applicant should work in the fields covered by the European University Institute, namely economics, law, history, political and social sciences, or related field. The fellow will be affiliated with the Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies as well as one of the four departments of the EUI, the Robert Schuman Centre, or the School of Transnational Governance, and mentored by a faculty member from one of these academic units.
The fellowship can start immediately and by 1 September 2022 the latest. The fellowship will last till 31 August 2023.
The call is now open. The review of applications will begin on Thursday 24 March 2022 and will continue until the position is filled.
The Max Weber Programme is a leading postdoctoral programme in the social sciences and humanities. A multidisciplinary programme, it hosts approximately 60 fellows from anywhere in the world. The programme is unique in its multidisciplinary reach and training programme, which supports postdoctoral scholars in developing their academic skills and potential, while allowing them to pursue their own research. Max Weber Fellows further benefit from the outstanding facilities and conditions of the European University Institute, a truly international research university in the historical and social sciences.
The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) is a unique postdoctoral programme in the historical and social sciences in Europe. It is open to applicants who are within 5 years from the completion of their PhD, from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality. Selected Fellows will benefit from the stimulating combination of a global programme located in the heart of Europe offering a broad menu of multidisciplinary and disciplinary activities.
The Fellowship provides a grant of 2020 EUR per month plus - when appropriate - a family allowance.
The Max Weber Fellows enjoy the superb research facilities of the European University Institute (including an outstanding library, a shared office space, and a personal research fund of 1000 EUR). The MWP is unique among postdoctoral programmes in helping Fellows to become full members of a global academic community.
Fellows are given training and support in all aspects of an academic career – from publishing and presenting, teaching, applying for research grants and jobs. A particular focus is placed on communicating effectively in English to different kinds of academic audiences.
Its placement record is second to none: most Max Weber Fellows secure an academic position in the finest institutions around the world upon completion of the Programme.
See more and apply: https://www.eui.eu/apply?id=max-weber-fellowships-ukraine
Oxford University Byzantine Society
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THE OXFORD UNIVERSITY BYZANTINE SOCIETY
The Byzness, 27th March 2022
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
2. CALLS FOR PAPERS
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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1. NEWS AND EVENTS
OXFORD BYZANTINE GRADUATE SEMINAR
HILARY TERM 2022
Mondays, 12:30-14:00 (GMT), via Zoom.
To register, please contact the organiser at james....@worc.ox.ac.uk.
28th March
Blake Lorenz (KU Leuven)
The Epigraphy of the Dome of the Rock in Relation to the Sacred Landscape of Jerusalem
EuQu International Workshop - The Holy Book of the Ishmaelites in the World of Eastern Christianity – 11th-12th May 2022, University of Copenhagen
The Holy Book of the Ishmaelites was the name commonly used by Eastern Christians of various traditions to refer to the Qur’an. Since the emergence of Islam in Late Antiquity, Eastern Christians speaking Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Greek, Church Slavonic, Russian and Syriac came in contact with Islam and its Holy Scripture. From the Mediterranean lands to Russia via the Balkans, Anatolia and Caucasus, the experience of Eastern Christians with their Muslim neighbors and/or rulers was shaped by diverse multicultural and multiconfessional contexts in which their approach to the Qur’an played a significant role in defining religious identity and the dynamics of communal life.
This international workshop will explore how Eastern Christians engaged with the Qur’an and its Islamic interpretations from the medieval period until the end of the eighteenth century. Bringing together different religious traditions, one of the main scopes of the workshop is to build a platform of discussion between scholars working with source material from Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Georgian, Greek, Church Slavonic, Russian and Syriac contexts, with a focus on how these milieus shaped Eastern Christian responses to Islam and its Holy Scripture.
How did texts on Islam and Qur’an circulate within groups and networks? How did they cross confessional boundaries? Who were their authors and intended audiences? These and similar questions will guide the discussions, and will generate – we hope – new debates for the entangled history and cross-cultural history of the Eastern Christian communities from the medieval to the dawn of modernity.
Read the program: https://euqu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Event-converti-compresse.pdf
Register here: https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5AqcuGspjktH93svOnXSrz5mTS1aiGf8qwc
GSC Webinar: Medievalists Beyond the Academy
Join the Medieval Academy of America Graduate Student Committee on March 30th, 2022 at 7 pm EST for a panel on employment for medievalists outside of what we traditionally envision as the "academy" (university-based research and teaching). Each of our panelists received a PhD in a premodern subject, and each have successfully leveraged their training into a career that utilizes and expands upon their background as medievalists. From grant writing and archival management to secondary education and academic publishing, our participants represent a wide range of experience levels and professional opportunities. In this conversation moderated by leading independent scholar Laura Morreale, panelists will share their pathways from their PhD to their current position, followed by a live Q and A with questions submitted by our audience. We hope you can join us! Click here to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9MZkQ4oNRBuZvJ3eT0N_Sw
Moderated by Dr. Laura Morreale, Independent Scholar
Panelists include:
Dr. Jennifer Speed, Research Development Strategist at Princeton University
Dr. Anna Siebach-Larson, Director, Rossell Hope Robbins Library and Koller-Collins Center for English Studies at the University of Rochester
Dr. Ross Karlan, World Languages Educator at Geffen Academy
Dr. Rachel Ruisard, Project Editor at Oxford University Press
Conference in Göttingen 27-29 April 2022
The Patristic Commission of the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and the Humanities is glad to announce the following conference: “Living Bodies of Texts: Organising a Literary Corpus in the Middle Ages – The Corpus Nazianzenum and the Corpus Dionysiacum”. The conference will be held in Göttingen on 27-29 April 2022. The conference is intended as an in-person event (with a limited audience), but it will be possible to attend it on-line (zoom). If you would like to register and receive a link to the zoom-meeting, please write to Caroline Macé (cm...@gwdg.de) before 24 April 2022.
The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches
The "Fresco-Hunting" Photo Research Expedition to Medieval Balkan Churches provides a unique opportunity for students and volunteers to take part in an expedition to document abandoned medieval churches/chapels and their frescos in western Bulgaria, and to visit many other Christian Orthodox churches, monasteries, museums and archaeological sites in Sofia and western Bulgaria.
The field school is designed for students and young specialists in heritage, archaeology and conservation as well as artists, but we also welcome anyone interested in:
· medieval civilization in Southeastern Europe (especially Byzantine and Christian Orthodox architecture, arts and iconography during the late medieval period: 13th to 17th centuries)
· digital photography
· documentation of ecclesiastic architecture and frescos
· cultural heritage preservation
· travel to significant heritage sites in western Bulgaria.
Dates: 21 May - 4 June 2022
For more information and to apply: https://www.bhfieldschool.org/program/medieval-fresco-photo-expedition
Academic credits available through our partner New Bulgarian University
Prof. Linda Safran- Byzantium at Ankara Spring 2021/2 Seminar Series (Thursday 31 March 2022)
Byzantium at Ankara (a joint venture of Bilkent Department of History and Hacettepe University, Department of Art History) is happy to announce the inaugural talk of the Spring 2021/22 Seminar Series.
On Thursday 31 March 2022 (h. 18.00 Istanbul time), Prof. Linda Safran (Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, Toronto) will be delivering a talk entitled: "Beyond Books: the Diagrammatic Mode in Byzantium."
For further info and registration, please send an email to byzantiu...@hotmail.com
Recording of our previous lectures can be found on our Youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN6mx3xkQknph5pPwrodhrw).
ABSTRACT: Beyond books: The Diagrammatic Mode in Byzantium.
Diagrams in manuscripts are easy to recognize, if not necessarily easy to describe. This talk considers diagrams outside of manuscripts and unaccompanied by lengthy texts. Such diagrams, as well as abstract ways of thinking diagrammatically- that is, in linear and geometrical terms, in three dimensions and not just two-were more widespread in the Byzantine visual landscape than has previously been noticed. I propose that this "diagrammatic mode" played a role in public life, helping to structure the Byzantines' understanding of time and space, demonstrate harmonious relationships, and reify τάξις.
The Byzantines and the Natural World – 7th April
Kick-off Event
Project: The Byzantines and the Natural World funded by Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung with the opening lecture by
Professor Stavros Lazaris (Paris) Animals in Byzantium, a comfort for humans and their souls
Program
1. Welcome (Johannes Pahlitzsch, Przemysław Marciniak)
2. Introduction (Tristan Schmidt)
3. Overview of the planned activities (Przemysław Marciniak)
4. Opening lecture
7th April 2022 (Thursday), 4 PM (Brussels time)
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86060175390?pwd=R2tjdHpVTWZzblY0RXI2RmxKamhDUT09
(Meeting: 860 6017 5390 access code: 2dqWzu)
Arbeitsbereich Byzantinistik, JGU Mainz Institute of Literary Studies, University of Silesia
contact: przemyslaw...@us.edu.pl
Mary Jaharis Center Lectures: April 7 & April 12
Thursday, April 7, 2022 | 5:00 pm (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
Disentangling Alchemy
Alexandre Roberts, University of Southern California
Alexandre Roberts considers alchemy within the intellectual and artisanal activity of western Afro-Eurasia in the premodern period.
Advance registration required. Register: https://maryjahariscenter.org/events/disentangling-alchemy
Sponsored by the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture and Harvard University Standing Committee on Medieval Studies.
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 12:00 pm (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
The Rediscovery of the Church of the East in the Arabian Gulf
Robert Carter, Qatar Museums
Robert Carter discusses the rediscovery of the Church of the East in the Gulf during the mid-20th century.
Advance registration required. Register: https://eastofbyzantium.org/upcoming-events/
An East of Byzantium lecture. East of Byzantium is a partnership between the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art at Tufts University and the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture that explores the cultures of the eastern frontier of the Byzantine empire in the late antique and medieval periods.
Contact Brandie Ratliff (mjc...@hchc.edu), Director, Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture with any questions.
Online Byzantine Greek Summer School, Bogazici University Byzantine Studies Research Center – deadline 28th March
The Byzantine Studies Research Center of Bogazici University is pleased to announce the organization of its fifth Byzantine Greek Summer School from July 18 to August 5, 2022. Students will have the chance to participate in an intensive program in Medieval Greek with Prof. Niels Gaul and Dr. Foteini Spingou. The language of instruction is English, and the classes will be held online. Students will receive a certificate of participation upon successful completion of the program.
Application deadline: 28th March, 2022
For more information, please visit: http://byzantinestudies.boun.edu.tr/index.php?page=events&id=64
2. CALL FOR PAPERS
Graduate Workshop on Diversity in the Medieval Middle East (May 16-20, 2022, via Zoom) – deadline 16th April
The medieval Middle East was the most ethnically, religiously, and linguistically diverse literate society in the premodern world. For intelligible institutional reasons, graduate study in our field often encourages specialization in one or another ethnic, religious, or linguistic group rather than examining medieval people’s mutuality and distinctions as lived experiences of social history. Recognition of various forms of diversity is increasingly important in many fields of history, but apart from several important works on the early Islamic period, such recognition is only starting to inform the study of the medieval Middle East after 750 CE. This workshop invites early graduate students (considering their options for research topics) to discuss the place of various forms of diversity in the region and consider topics which cross the communal and linguistic boundaries imposed on premodern history by most graduate education today. The goal is to expose graduate students to the region’s diversity early in their academic trajectory to allow them to acquire the skills necessary to pursue wide-ranging research.
The workshop will invite graduate students to present a proposed topic for future research, while introducing participants to often overlooked evidence and scholarly resources for exploring diversity in the medieval Middle East. The workshop will also introduce participants to the Historical Index of the Medieval Middle East (HIMME: https://medievalmideast.org/), a new NEH-sponsored digital history project to enable searching across selected primary sources in a wide range of languages.
The workshop will take place May 16-20, 2022 via Zoom, and the number of graduate participants is limited, though there is no cost for participation. Faculty participants include Thomas A. Carlson (Oklahoma State University), Margaret Gaida (Caltech), Andrew Magnusson (University of Central Oklahoma), and Jessica Mutter (Central Connecticut State University). Masters or early PhD students interested in any part of the Middle East (from Cairo to Samarqand and the Black Sea to Yemen) between the seventh and fifteenth centuries CE are welcome to apply by April 4. Notifications of successful applications will be made by April 16 or shortly thereafter.
Inquiries and applications should be sent to thomas.a...@okstate.edu
Applications must include:
- A cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in medieval Middle Eastern diversity and current state of thinking about future research projects (two double-spaced pages maximum)
- A CV, mentioning language skills (two pages maximum)
- A current graduate transcript (official or unofficial) from the applicant’s current institution
ARAM Conference on Melkite Christianity, 11-13 July 2022 – deadline May 2022
ARAM Society for Syro-Mesopotamian Studies is organizing its Fifty First International Conference on Melkite Christianity (the Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem and Alexandria) and the Archaeology of Byzantine Monasteries and Churches in the Levant, to be held at the Oriental Institute, University of Oxford, on 11th – 13th July 2022.
The conference will start on Monday 11th July at 9pm, finishing on Wednesday 13th July at 7pm. Each speaker’s paper is limited to 45 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes for discussion. All papers given at the conference will be considered for publication in a future edition of the ARAM Periodical, subject to editorial review. If you wish to participate in the conference, please, send the Registration Form to our ARAM office (ar...@orinst.ox.ac.uk) before next May 2022.
ETC Oxford: 'Textual Cultures in Contact’ – deadline 11th April
The Early Text Cultures research group based at the University of Oxford invites papers for its Trinity Term (May-June) research seminar on ‘Textual Cultures in Contact’, which will bring together scholars whose research focus is the interactions between pre-modern textual cultures. Through sessions comprising paired papers, this seminar series will enable participants to gain fresh perspectives on the nature of ‘contact’ among textual cultures, and on the affordances and limitations of their fields’ methods and approaches to the topic.
Subjects and case studies might include:
• Texts that embed or are shaped by intercultural textual or literary interaction
• Texts that consciously reflect on that type of interaction (e.g. translations, adaptations, ancient or modern ethnographic accounts).
• Histories of terminology and theoretical frameworks used to conceptualise ‘contact’ between textual cultures
• Investigations into the material, social and intellectual conditions that determined, and were shaped by, these interactions
• Examinations of the power relationships (political or otherwise) implicit in cross-cultural interactions
If you would like to present a 20-minute paper at one of the sessions, please send an abstract of no more than 250 words to earlytex...@humanities.ox.ac.uk by Monday 11 April. Papers by early-career and graduate researchers are particularly welcome. The seminar will be held in a hybrid form, taking place both in Oxford and on Zoom.
To be added to our mailing list, please email earlytex...@humanities.ox.ac.uk.
Call for Papers: Encounters and Exchanges in a Global Past, Oxford, 25 June 2022 – deadline 1st May 2022
The Oxford Transnational and Global History Seminar is inviting submissions for a postgraduate conference, Saturday 25 June, 2022. The conference will be held in person in the Oxford History Faculty.
We welcome submissions on the theme 'Encounters and Exchanges in a Global Past.' We will explore the ways in which encounters and exchanges were experienced in the near and distant past. Despite the recent proliferation of frameworks for understanding contact and the exchange of goods, ideas and biota that accompanied it, contact is rarely considered from a truly global perspective that spans millennia, continents and disciplines.
We welcome interdisciplinary submissions relating to exchanges across time and space. We are particularly interested in submissions on the infrastructure that underlay encounters and exchanges, such as technology and ideology; multi-scalar interaction; the role of translation in contact; the environmental history of encounters and exchanges.
Sessions will consist of 20 minute papers with time for questions and discussion.
Interested postgraduates should send a 400-word abstract and brief biography to oxfor...@gmail.comSubmission deadline: 1 May 2022
Online Lecture: Professor Bill Jordan (Princeton), “Crusaders, Mercy, and the Weapons of War” – Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 pm (CST)/6:30 PM (EST)
Professor Bill Jordan (from Princeton) is giving a virtual talk at the University of Houston-Victoria on Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 pm (CST)/6:30 PM (EST) for our third annual History Day. Professor Jordan’s talk is going to be on a relatively new project he’s working on, “Crusaders, Mercy, and the Weapons of War,” which builds on the research conducted for his last monograph, The Apple of His Eye: Converts from Islam in the Reign of Louis IX (Princeton, 2019).
The link to Professor Jordan’s talk is here: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDk2MGIwZWYtMjA4ZC00ZmZjLWFhMmUtZmI4MDMzNTBiODk5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2276446035-d7ae-4edf-9934-0be900515d18%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2241984896-4274-463c-943c-731ff18258dc%22%7d
The link will also be placed on the webpage for UHV’s History program.
If you think you can attend, please shoot Professor Esther Cuenca a quick message at
Cue...@uhv.edu, so that she can get a rough estimate of interest. Please feel free to forward this to colleagues who may want to attend.
3. JOBS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Ukraine Heritage Crisis Specialist
World Monuments Fund (WMF) is seeking a Ukraine Heritage Crisis Specialist for a 12-month, fixed term position. Through public statements on February 25 and March 2, 2022, WMF expressed its deep concern over the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. WMF deplores the loss of life that continues to take place in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity with the Ukrainian people. WMF remains concerned about the immediate and urgent threat to Ukraine’s cultural heritage, including the country’s wealth of cultural heritage places. The Ukraine Heritage Crisis Specialist will support all efforts to respond to the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the country’s cultural heritage sector.
Responsibilities:
· Through networking and outreach, remain informed about developments in the conflict, and, in particular, about impacts of the conflict on heritage places, museums, libraries, and archives;
· Serve as the primary coordinator between WMF and members of the international community seeking to share information and coordinate their efforts in support of Ukrainian cultural heritage;
· Identify and cultivate potential partners for WMF within Ukraine’s cultural heritage sector;
· Identify needs for assistance to Ukraine’s cultural heritage sector and support the development of appropriate response strategies by WMF and its partners;
· Support the implementation of activities by WMF and its partners, through new or existing channels for the delivery of support;
· Support communications with WMF’s global audience regarding the impact of conflict on Ukraine’s cultural heritage;
· Plan for post-conflict intervention by WMF and its partners, including inventorying, condition assessment, and emergency stabilization/protection interventions;
· Serve as internal source of knowledge on matters affecting the conflict and post-conflict recovery.
Qualifications:
Minimum:
· Knowledge of Ukrainian society, history, and culture;
· Professional proficiency in Ukrainian and English;
· Background in Heritage Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Museum Studies, Regional Development, etc.;
· Experience working in a crisis context or in post-conflict recovery.
Preferred:
· Graduate degree in Eastern European Studies or in a related field (Ukrainian Studies, Soviet/Post-Soviet Studies) and/or in other fields relevant to the mission of World Monuments Fund;
· Professional experience in cultural heritage management, development, and/or emergency response.
Location: New York, NY or global (remote)
Reports to: Vice President, Programs
Direct reports: none
Salary and benefits: $65,000+, commensurate with skills and experience, including options for benefits
How to apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to jo...@wmf.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only those whose applications are being considered will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
World Monuments Fund is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. World Monuments Fund is an at-will employer.