Gang Wu is an assistant professor in the Department of History at Fudan University. He received his doctoral degree in Byzantine Studies from King's College London in 2020. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Koç University's Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED) between 2020 and 2021. His current research interests focus on Byzantine women and the silk industry.
Thebes ascended to prominence as the paramount centre of the Byzantine silk industry during the t... more Thebes ascended to prominence as the paramount centre of the Byzantine silk industry during the twelfth century. Renowned for its exquisite weaving craftsmanship, Theban silk products earned an unrivalled reputation within Byzantium and found substantial demand in neighbouring regions. Existing scholarship has reasonably interpreted the industry as supported by an industrial network around Central Greece. However, the question of the supply of artisanal personnel, especially the silk weavers who played a paramount role in the industry, remained largely underexplored in this context. This article endeavours to delve into the formation of such an artisanal network, using the case study of a Theban confraternity founded in 1048. The confraternity’s primary mission was the preservation and dissemination of an icon of the Mother of God. It is known to us through a renewed version of its foundational document, dating to around 1100. The document ends with a subscription list of 47 members, which allowed us to establish the confraternity’s extensive geographical reach across Central Greece. Of particular significance is the prevalence of members with surnames linked to specific occupations, especially the presence of four individuals bearing the surname Blattas, which is strongly indicative of familial involvement in silk weaving. This suggests an inherent connection between the confraternity and the flourishing Theban silk industry. Taking the confraternity as an example, this article argues that religiosity of this nature could have served as a catalyst for the development of an intraregional network, facilitating the movement and exchange of individuals. Silk artisans, particularly silk weavers, around Central Greece probably took advantage of this network to enhance their mobility, thereby ensuring a continuous influx of textile artisans into Thebes, upon whom its emerging silk industry depended.
Thebes is among the best-documented Venetian colonies in Byzantium, with records dating back to 1... more Thebes is among the best-documented Venetian colonies in Byzantium, with records dating back to 1072. While it is widely acknowledged that Venetians played a crucial role in the development of Byzantine Thebes, the details about the Venetian community of the city remain largely unexplored, which has hindered a deeper understanding of the true extent of the Venetian impact on Thebes. To address this scholarly gap, the article examines the community using Venetian documentary sources, focusing on the works of R. Morozzo della Rocca and A. Lombardo. The study adopted a prosopography methodology, reconstructing and analysing the biographies of individuals and families in groups. The investigation covers the community's leading families and individuals, as well as clergy and ecclesiastical establishments of special interest. Following this vein, the author of the article concludes with a more detailed picture of the Venetian community. It seems to have played a notable and persistent role in Thebes. Ecclesiastical establishments and the clergy constituted the basis of Venetian activities. Bolstered by reliable and sustainable sources of income, these institutions fulfilled the basic religious and administrative needs of the Venetian community. Apart from possible industrial and agricultural engagements, the community members predominantly emerge as active participants in commercial ventures, linking in particular to the renowned Theban silk textiles. While Venetians did form matrimonial and commercial alliances amongst themselves, their assimilation with the native Byzantine populace of the city seems to have been minimal.
Despite the pivotal role of the silk industry in the history of the Byzantine Empire, our knowled... more Despite the pivotal role of the silk industry in the history of the Byzantine Empire, our knowledge of Byzantine sericulture (the cultivation of silkworms), the industry's fundamental component, remains limited and relies heavily on other better-documented sericulture practices. It is often assumed that Byzantine sources offer little information about sericulture and that the Byzantines lacked distinctiveness in their treatment of silkworms. This article challenges this prevailing view by reconstructing the Byzantine sericulture practice based on Byzantine textual sources. It concludes with a general and diachronic overview of the practice, shedding light on many aspects that have been overlooked or misunderstood in previous scholarship. Furthermore, it explores how this reconstructed picture can contribute to future studies on the Byzantine silk industry.
The transfer of sericulture into Byzantium is a critical episode in the global dissemination of s... more The transfer of sericulture into Byzantium is a critical episode in the global dissemination of silk production technology. However, it is now widely accepted that the explanatory model portraying the transfer as a one-off event is at odds with the historical facts. This article seeks to reassess the transfer of this technology through the lens of appropriation, interpreted as a process. Based on a detailed analysis of the limited evidence available, it attempts to reconstruct the process from transregional and diachronic perspectives, embracing, on the one hand, the transmission of sericulture from China to Byzantium and, on the other, its development in Byzantium over time. This reconstruction offers an explanation for unresolved historical problems. It also constitutes a template for modelling the global transfer of technology in the premodern world, potentially of great value for an in-depth understanding of the transfer.
The silk production around Naupaktos is better documented than other examples of the silk industr... more The silk production around Naupaktos is better documented than other examples of the silk industry in Byzantine Central Greece, especially in terms of its organisation, industrial layout and technical parameters. However, in comparison with its much better-known Theban counterpart, the Naupactian silk industry remains underexplored in current scholarship. This article focuses on synthesising the information about the industry provided by the surviving writings of John Apokaukos, the metropolitan of Naupaktos c.1200-1232. It also seeks to evaluate how the result of this investigation may complement or revise our current knowledge of the silk industry in Byzantine Central Greece.
Many theories have been proposed to explain the success of the Theban silk industry from the twel... more Many theories have been proposed to explain the success of the Theban silk industry from the twelfth century onward. To contribute to this discussion in the context of recent research developments, this article explores the Theban metropolitan's hypothetical contribution to the industry through the case study of John Kaloktenes, who initiated a series of projects during his tenure (before 1166–c.1190). The analysis of three of these projects suggests that they might have been designed to support the industry. Thus, this article proposes the working hypothesis that Thebes's industrial success might have benefited substantially from the local metropolitan's active promotion.
This article aims to reconstruct the predominant Byzantine weaving practice, a subject that remai... more This article aims to reconstruct the predominant Byzantine weaving practice, a subject that remains insufficiently addressed in the current scholarship. It examines relevant textual records, pictorial presentations, and archaeological findings primarily between the eleventh and the twelfth century. Insights from ethnological studies are also drawn upon to contextualize the observations from historical sources. The above synthesis leads to the conclusion that Byzantines wove primarily on two-bar vertical looms following a practice resembling Berber and Turkish weaving.
The article originates from a record David Jacoby drew attention to but left mostly unaddressed i... more The article originates from a record David Jacoby drew attention to but left mostly unaddressed in his path-breaking article on the silk industry in western Byzantium. It examines three underexplored hagiographical texts concerning the endeavours of Arechis II, the prince of Benevento (758–787), in the translation of holy relics. These texts all feature the word phocaicus when describing the luxurious textiles Arechis dedicated to the relics. This article argues that this word is a geographical designation pointing to a so-far unidentified centre of the Byzantine silk industry sometime around 1050–1150, most likely Phokis in Central Greece.
Koç University Libraries Treasury Gallery Podcasts, 2021
In this podcast, themed Daily Life in Byzantium: Artisanship, our guest speaker Gang Wu introduce... more In this podcast, themed Daily Life in Byzantium: Artisanship, our guest speaker Gang Wu introduced the silk industry in Byzantium and women’s role. Gang Wu shared with us his journey of developing his research interest in women and silk industry, the significance of silk production for the economy and society of the Byzantine Empire and silk guilds and many more! Listen to this podcast to find out the world of artisanship, textile and women in Byzantium! Moderators: Defne Gier, Mustafa Ergül.
Thebes ascended to prominence as the paramount centre of the Byzantine silk industry during the t... more Thebes ascended to prominence as the paramount centre of the Byzantine silk industry during the twelfth century. Renowned for its exquisite weaving craftsmanship, Theban silk products earned an unrivalled reputation within Byzantium and found substantial demand in neighbouring regions. Existing scholarship has reasonably interpreted the industry as supported by an industrial network around Central Greece. However, the question of the supply of artisanal personnel, especially the silk weavers who played a paramount role in the industry, remained largely underexplored in this context. This article endeavours to delve into the formation of such an artisanal network, using the case study of a Theban confraternity founded in 1048. The confraternity’s primary mission was the preservation and dissemination of an icon of the Mother of God. It is known to us through a renewed version of its foundational document, dating to around 1100. The document ends with a subscription list of 47 members, which allowed us to establish the confraternity’s extensive geographical reach across Central Greece. Of particular significance is the prevalence of members with surnames linked to specific occupations, especially the presence of four individuals bearing the surname Blattas, which is strongly indicative of familial involvement in silk weaving. This suggests an inherent connection between the confraternity and the flourishing Theban silk industry. Taking the confraternity as an example, this article argues that religiosity of this nature could have served as a catalyst for the development of an intraregional network, facilitating the movement and exchange of individuals. Silk artisans, particularly silk weavers, around Central Greece probably took advantage of this network to enhance their mobility, thereby ensuring a continuous influx of textile artisans into Thebes, upon whom its emerging silk industry depended.
Thebes is among the best-documented Venetian colonies in Byzantium, with records dating back to 1... more Thebes is among the best-documented Venetian colonies in Byzantium, with records dating back to 1072. While it is widely acknowledged that Venetians played a crucial role in the development of Byzantine Thebes, the details about the Venetian community of the city remain largely unexplored, which has hindered a deeper understanding of the true extent of the Venetian impact on Thebes. To address this scholarly gap, the article examines the community using Venetian documentary sources, focusing on the works of R. Morozzo della Rocca and A. Lombardo. The study adopted a prosopography methodology, reconstructing and analysing the biographies of individuals and families in groups. The investigation covers the community's leading families and individuals, as well as clergy and ecclesiastical establishments of special interest. Following this vein, the author of the article concludes with a more detailed picture of the Venetian community. It seems to have played a notable and persistent role in Thebes. Ecclesiastical establishments and the clergy constituted the basis of Venetian activities. Bolstered by reliable and sustainable sources of income, these institutions fulfilled the basic religious and administrative needs of the Venetian community. Apart from possible industrial and agricultural engagements, the community members predominantly emerge as active participants in commercial ventures, linking in particular to the renowned Theban silk textiles. While Venetians did form matrimonial and commercial alliances amongst themselves, their assimilation with the native Byzantine populace of the city seems to have been minimal.
Despite the pivotal role of the silk industry in the history of the Byzantine Empire, our knowled... more Despite the pivotal role of the silk industry in the history of the Byzantine Empire, our knowledge of Byzantine sericulture (the cultivation of silkworms), the industry's fundamental component, remains limited and relies heavily on other better-documented sericulture practices. It is often assumed that Byzantine sources offer little information about sericulture and that the Byzantines lacked distinctiveness in their treatment of silkworms. This article challenges this prevailing view by reconstructing the Byzantine sericulture practice based on Byzantine textual sources. It concludes with a general and diachronic overview of the practice, shedding light on many aspects that have been overlooked or misunderstood in previous scholarship. Furthermore, it explores how this reconstructed picture can contribute to future studies on the Byzantine silk industry.
The transfer of sericulture into Byzantium is a critical episode in the global dissemination of s... more The transfer of sericulture into Byzantium is a critical episode in the global dissemination of silk production technology. However, it is now widely accepted that the explanatory model portraying the transfer as a one-off event is at odds with the historical facts. This article seeks to reassess the transfer of this technology through the lens of appropriation, interpreted as a process. Based on a detailed analysis of the limited evidence available, it attempts to reconstruct the process from transregional and diachronic perspectives, embracing, on the one hand, the transmission of sericulture from China to Byzantium and, on the other, its development in Byzantium over time. This reconstruction offers an explanation for unresolved historical problems. It also constitutes a template for modelling the global transfer of technology in the premodern world, potentially of great value for an in-depth understanding of the transfer.
The silk production around Naupaktos is better documented than other examples of the silk industr... more The silk production around Naupaktos is better documented than other examples of the silk industry in Byzantine Central Greece, especially in terms of its organisation, industrial layout and technical parameters. However, in comparison with its much better-known Theban counterpart, the Naupactian silk industry remains underexplored in current scholarship. This article focuses on synthesising the information about the industry provided by the surviving writings of John Apokaukos, the metropolitan of Naupaktos c.1200-1232. It also seeks to evaluate how the result of this investigation may complement or revise our current knowledge of the silk industry in Byzantine Central Greece.
Many theories have been proposed to explain the success of the Theban silk industry from the twel... more Many theories have been proposed to explain the success of the Theban silk industry from the twelfth century onward. To contribute to this discussion in the context of recent research developments, this article explores the Theban metropolitan's hypothetical contribution to the industry through the case study of John Kaloktenes, who initiated a series of projects during his tenure (before 1166–c.1190). The analysis of three of these projects suggests that they might have been designed to support the industry. Thus, this article proposes the working hypothesis that Thebes's industrial success might have benefited substantially from the local metropolitan's active promotion.
This article aims to reconstruct the predominant Byzantine weaving practice, a subject that remai... more This article aims to reconstruct the predominant Byzantine weaving practice, a subject that remains insufficiently addressed in the current scholarship. It examines relevant textual records, pictorial presentations, and archaeological findings primarily between the eleventh and the twelfth century. Insights from ethnological studies are also drawn upon to contextualize the observations from historical sources. The above synthesis leads to the conclusion that Byzantines wove primarily on two-bar vertical looms following a practice resembling Berber and Turkish weaving.
The article originates from a record David Jacoby drew attention to but left mostly unaddressed i... more The article originates from a record David Jacoby drew attention to but left mostly unaddressed in his path-breaking article on the silk industry in western Byzantium. It examines three underexplored hagiographical texts concerning the endeavours of Arechis II, the prince of Benevento (758–787), in the translation of holy relics. These texts all feature the word phocaicus when describing the luxurious textiles Arechis dedicated to the relics. This article argues that this word is a geographical designation pointing to a so-far unidentified centre of the Byzantine silk industry sometime around 1050–1150, most likely Phokis in Central Greece.
Koç University Libraries Treasury Gallery Podcasts, 2021
In this podcast, themed Daily Life in Byzantium: Artisanship, our guest speaker Gang Wu introduce... more In this podcast, themed Daily Life in Byzantium: Artisanship, our guest speaker Gang Wu introduced the silk industry in Byzantium and women’s role. Gang Wu shared with us his journey of developing his research interest in women and silk industry, the significance of silk production for the economy and society of the Byzantine Empire and silk guilds and many more! Listen to this podcast to find out the world of artisanship, textile and women in Byzantium! Moderators: Defne Gier, Mustafa Ergül.
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