- Greek Epigraphy, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Hellenistic and Roman Asia Minor, Cult of Saints, Roman Cyprus, Classical Archaeology, and 12 moreNear Eastern Archaeology, Archaeology of Cyrenaica, Roman Archaeology, Saints' Cults, Roman History, Latin Epigraphy, Late Antiquity, Anatolian Studies, Cypriot Archaeology, Byzantine Studies, Epigraphy (Archaeology), and Ancient Greek Religionedit
The STONE-MASTERS project aims at exploring one of the most startling problems in the global history of research on collective memory and commemorative practice – the transformation of Roman Imperial epigraphic traditions in the later 3rd... more
The STONE-MASTERS project aims at exploring one of the most startling problems in the global history of research on collective memory and commemorative practice – the transformation of Roman Imperial epigraphic traditions in the later 3rd c. AD, and the subsequent rise of the so-called epigraphic cultures of Late Antiquity. The problem has been passionately debated since the 1980s, but so far no definite conclusions have been reached. In this project, the PI argues that the main reason for the transformation is to be ascribed to the dissemination of changes in the elite’s approach to epigraphy by the workshops of stonecutters and mosaicists, and that only a thorough study of workshops can provide us with a complete understanding of the processes underpinning this same transition.
For more info, see http://historia.uw.edu.pl/en/research-project/masters-of-the-stone-the-stonecutters-workshops-and-the-rise-of-the-late-antique-epigraphical-cultures-third-fifth-century-ad-stone-masters-2/
For more info, see http://historia.uw.edu.pl/en/research-project/masters-of-the-stone-the-stonecutters-workshops-and-the-rise-of-the-late-antique-epigraphical-cultures-third-fifth-century-ad-stone-masters-2/
A grant awarded by the Polish National Science Centre. Aims of the research project: 1) creation of a database of sites from Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Arabia where monumental inscriptions in languages other then Greek have been... more
A grant awarded by the Polish National Science Centre. Aims of the research project:
1) creation of a database of sites from Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Arabia where monumental inscriptions in languages other then Greek have been recorded (fourth–seventh century AD).
2) a monograph on the choice of language for monumental dedicatory and building inscriptions in the period studied.
For more info, see https://epi-identity.uw.edu.pl/
1) creation of a database of sites from Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, and Arabia where monumental inscriptions in languages other then Greek have been recorded (fourth–seventh century AD).
2) a monograph on the choice of language for monumental dedicatory and building inscriptions in the period studied.
For more info, see https://epi-identity.uw.edu.pl/
A grant awarded by the Polish National Science Centre. Aims of the research project: 1) creation of a catalogue of Greek inscriptions attesting to the cult of saints in Asia Minor 2) creation of a monograph on the patterns of the... more
A grant awarded by the Polish National Science Centre. Aims of the research project:
1) creation of a catalogue of Greek inscriptions attesting to the cult of saints in Asia Minor
2) creation of a monograph on the patterns of the epigraphic production used in the Anatolian cult practices: "Facets of the Cult of Saints in Asia Minor: the Epigraphic Patterns prior to the 7th cent. AD".
For more info, see https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/index.php?projekt_id=186974
1) creation of a catalogue of Greek inscriptions attesting to the cult of saints in Asia Minor
2) creation of a monograph on the patterns of the epigraphic production used in the Anatolian cult practices: "Facets of the Cult of Saints in Asia Minor: the Epigraphic Patterns prior to the 7th cent. AD".
For more info, see https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/index.php?projekt_id=186974
A part of our database material is now available for consultation. Please, visit our website and use the database!
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The latest volume of the journal Late Antiquity. Studies in Source Criticism. The complete issue is accessible without any fees on our website: http://uss.wpia.uw.edu.pl/last-issue We warmly welcome contributions in English to a new... more
The latest volume of the journal Late Antiquity. Studies in Source Criticism. The complete issue is accessible without any fees on our website: http://uss.wpia.uw.edu.pl/last-issue
We warmly welcome contributions in English to a new volume.
We warmly welcome contributions in English to a new volume.
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The volume explores linguistic practices and choices in the late antique Eastern Mediterranean. It investigates how linguistic diversity and change influenced the social dimension of human interaction, affected group dynamics, the... more
The volume explores linguistic practices and choices in the late antique Eastern Mediterranean. It investigates how linguistic diversity and change influenced the social dimension of human interaction, affected group dynamics, the expression and negotiation of various communal identities, such as professional groups of mosaic-makers, stonecutters, or their supervisors in North Syria, bilingual monastic communities in Palestine, elusive producers of Coptic ritual texts in Egypt, or Jewish communities in Dura Europos and Palmyra. The key question is: what do we learn about social groups and human individuals by studying their multilingualism and language practices reflected in epigraphic and other written sources?
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The book explores the use of inscriptions as an instrument of the cult of saints in Asia Minor between the 4th and mid-7th c. AD. In addition to the analytical chapters, the work encompasses a catalogue of around 250 inscriptions on... more
The book explores the use of inscriptions as an instrument of the cult of saints in Asia Minor between the 4th and mid-7th c. AD. In addition to the analytical chapters, the work encompasses a catalogue of around 250 inscriptions on stone, mosaics, small objects (in particular reliquaries), and graffiti, attesting to the rise and development of the cult of saints in the discussed region and period. For the first time such a catalogue includes revised full texts of inscriptions, English translations, bibliographical references, and a detailed commentary.
The analytical part is divided into five chapters preceded by an introduction which discusses methodological issues, presents a short history of research on the epigraphy of the cult of saints in Asia Minor, and the possibility of the application of the principles of ‘the epigraphic habit theory’ into the studies on the cult of saints. Chapter One shows different categories of inscriptions used in the religious practice: epitaphs for martyrs, inscriptions commemorating translations of relics, labels of reliquaries, inscribed invocations of saints, building and dedicatory inscriptions, vows, inscriptions using names of saints as a marker of identity, inscriptions attesting burials ad sanctos, inscriptions from boundary stones, inscriptions recording normative and liturgical texts, and others. Chapter Two deals with the chronological distribution of the evidence collected. The saints chosen as addresses of their prayers and vows by the commissioners of inscriptions, and the saintly epithets, are closely discussed respectively in Chapter Three and Chapter Four. A prosopographical overview of the commissioners of inscriptions is presented in Chapter Five. This chapter also includes considerations on the motivation of donors recording their deeds by the means of inscriptions, with particular emphasis put onto the transition from the ‘rational’ to the ‘emotional’ motivation and the phenomenon of ‘the longing for the saint’. The geographical distribution of all the sources collected, and of sources illustrating cults of selected saints is shown on maps.
The book was awarded the 2018 EKVAM Annual Award of the Ancient Anatolian Studies by the Izmir Center of the Archaeology of Western Anatolia.
The analytical part is divided into five chapters preceded by an introduction which discusses methodological issues, presents a short history of research on the epigraphy of the cult of saints in Asia Minor, and the possibility of the application of the principles of ‘the epigraphic habit theory’ into the studies on the cult of saints. Chapter One shows different categories of inscriptions used in the religious practice: epitaphs for martyrs, inscriptions commemorating translations of relics, labels of reliquaries, inscribed invocations of saints, building and dedicatory inscriptions, vows, inscriptions using names of saints as a marker of identity, inscriptions attesting burials ad sanctos, inscriptions from boundary stones, inscriptions recording normative and liturgical texts, and others. Chapter Two deals with the chronological distribution of the evidence collected. The saints chosen as addresses of their prayers and vows by the commissioners of inscriptions, and the saintly epithets, are closely discussed respectively in Chapter Three and Chapter Four. A prosopographical overview of the commissioners of inscriptions is presented in Chapter Five. This chapter also includes considerations on the motivation of donors recording their deeds by the means of inscriptions, with particular emphasis put onto the transition from the ‘rational’ to the ‘emotional’ motivation and the phenomenon of ‘the longing for the saint’. The geographical distribution of all the sources collected, and of sources illustrating cults of selected saints is shown on maps.
The book was awarded the 2018 EKVAM Annual Award of the Ancient Anatolian Studies by the Izmir Center of the Archaeology of Western Anatolia.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Anatolian Studies, Epigraphy (Archaeology), and 15 moreAnatolian Archaeology, Early Christianity, Cult of Saints, Greek Epigraphy, Latin Epigraphy, Roman Epigraphy, Anatolian Archaeology (Archaeology), Early Christian Archaeology, Early Christian Studies, Asia Minor, Relics and Relic Veneration, Early Christian Mosaics, Early Byzantine Archaeology, Cult of Relics, and Anatolian and the Near Eastern Archaeology
The 23 inscriptions compiled here all come from the Bithynian metropolis of Nikaia and belong to the 3rd to 6th century. The building inscription no. 1 is named after the bishop and the πατὴρ τῆς πόλεως. The eponymous official on board... more
The 23 inscriptions compiled here all come from the Bithynian metropolis of Nikaia and belong to the 3rd to 6th century. The building inscription no. 1 is named after the bishop and the πατὴρ τῆς πόλεως. The eponymous official on board no. 2 is probably also the πατὴρ τῆς πόλεως. A group of similarly structured funerary inscriptions from the 3rd and 4th century contains information on the occupation (σιλιγνάριος, πιλιάριος) and place of residence of the tomb owner. The phyles Makete, Severiane and Constantiane were not previously documented for Nikaia (nos. 5–7). Funerary inscription no. 14 mentions an ἱερὸν γυναικεῖον in the Trimiton neighbourhood, which was probably an imperial textile fac-tory. In addition to other funerary inscriptions, a topos inscription (no. 19), a stamp impression (no. 20) and a Christian acclamation on a building element (no. 23) are included. They provide an insight into the rich inscription inventory of the city of Nikaia in Late Antiquity and the early Byzantine period.
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This paper discusses the inscription from a censer retrived from al Giyya/Jiyeh (Lbanon), now in the British Museu. The inscription is apparently the first attestation of the presumed ancient name of Jiyeh found on site, here also... more
This paper discusses the inscription from a censer retrived from al Giyya/Jiyeh (Lbanon), now in the British Museu. The inscription is apparently the first attestation of the presumed ancient name of Jiyeh found on site, here also accompanied with a designation of the settlement's status as KOME or "village". A new reading of the name of the patron saint of the church who once owned the censer is also offered: Isaiah instead of Elijah.
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In this paper, we discuss a previously unpublished verse epitaph from the collection of the Museum of İznik (ancient Nikaia in Bithynia). It probably dates from the 4th century AD, and mentions a certain Sabbatios, a Christian priest or... more
In this paper, we discuss a previously unpublished verse epitaph from the collection of the Museum of İznik (ancient Nikaia in Bithynia). It probably dates from the 4th century AD, and mentions a certain Sabbatios, a Christian priest or bishop. The epitaph is composed of three hexameters of good quality with reminiscences of the so-called epitaph for Plato, and the motif of the opposition between a buried body and an immortal soul. The vocabulary may point to some parallels with the poetry of Nonnus of Panopolis, though it is rather unlikely that the author was a follower of the Nonnian principles in epic poetry. The literary tropes present in the epitaph, as well as the name of the deceased which has attracted some attention by earlier researchers of Jewish and Christian onomastic habits, make this ins cription an interesting piece of evidence.
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Research Interests: Archaeology of Ancient Israel, Late Antique Archaeology, Greek Epigraphy, Byzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, and 7 moreGraeco-Roman Mosaics and Wall Paintings, Syria (Archaeology), Byzantine Mosaics, Archaeology of Jordan, Syriac Epigraphy, Early Byzantine Archaeology, and Syriac and Arabic epigraphy
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In this paper, the author offers a new edition and commentary on an inscription from the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, recording a donation to this church by a certain presbyter Severus (PCBE Italie 2: s.v. Sever(u)s 20), under... more
In this paper, the author offers a new edition and commentary on an inscription from the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, recording a donation to this church by a certain presbyter Severus (PCBE Italie 2: s.v. Sever(u)s 20), under the patronage of Pope John II Mercurius (533-535). From 1568 onwards, the inscription, usually cited as ILCV 1780 (ed. E. Diehl) has attracted the attention of a number of already early modern scholars, who have offered different readings and dating of this text and have described its changing display location in the building. These aspects of the inscription's history have been entirely absent from present-day studies of this church, and a need for a proper edition has been increasingly pressing. Alongside the editorial part, the author refers to the enigmatic urbiclus cedrinus, specified in the inscription as the object donated by Severus. Several different possible interpretations of this term are examined, including the now prevalent identification as a 'small cedar disk' by Giusto Fontanini (1727), and a new option is suggested: that it was a cedar panel decorating the door.
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This paper discusses some of the results of a geo-archaeological survey conducted in 2014 in the marble quarries at Göktepe near Muğla (the ancient region of Caria). During the survey we examined a dossier of both already known and newly... more
This paper discusses some of the results of a geo-archaeological survey conducted in 2014 in the marble quarries at Göktepe near Muğla (the ancient region of Caria). During the survey we examined a dossier of both already known and newly recorded rock inscriptions and textual and pictorial graffiti (prominently including crosses) from District 3, Quarry C (= Quarry GO3C). Here, we aim to explore the contents and spatial contexts of these texts and images, and consider them in relation to the pottery finds and literary sources, in order to throw new light on the history of the quarry. The texts and images suggest that at some point the site was abandoned as a quarry and, probably already in late antiquity, resettled by hermits.
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The article presents a collection of seventeen previously unpublished inscriptions on stone and small objects from Bithynia. The majority of them belong to the middle Byzantine period and comes from the area of Nikaia and Ni-komedeia.... more
The article presents a collection of seventeen previously unpublished inscriptions on stone and small objects from Bithynia. The majority of them belong to the middle Byzantine period and comes from the area of Nikaia and Ni-komedeia. First of all, the inscription from a boundary stone of a monastery of Theotokos near Niketiaton is discussed, in which the bridge of a certain Eusta-thios and the monastery of Johannes Kranbas are mentioned. The building inscription of a refectory attests to the existence of a splendid monastic complex near Kanlıçay, to the east of the Sangarios River. The inscription from a column offered by Leon lists several saints. In addition to clerics and monks, the funer-ary inscriptions also mention one Basil who came from the Diocese of Ikonion. This is followed by an epigraphical attestation of the koinonikon σῶμα Χριστοῦ (an Easter hymn), a fragment of an inscription mentioning the city of Joannina, a reliquary cross of Saint Damian, and two processional or blessing crosses. A clay seal with the monogram probably of a certain Photios closes the collection.
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Research Interests: Ancient History, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Anatolian Studies, Anatolian Archaeology, and 11 moreCult of Saints, Greek Epigraphy, Latin Epigraphy, Late Roman Empire, Late Roman Archaeology, Greek and Latin Epigraphy, Mediaeval Cult of Relics and Saints, Roman Milestones, Roman Archaeology, Ancient and Roman Roads, and Saint Theodore Teron
The present paper discusses the patterns of selfrepresentation used by pilgrims to Eastern pilgrimage shrines, based on the evidence of late antique and early medieval graffiti, and dedicatory inscriptions, in particular the way the... more
The present paper discusses the patterns of selfrepresentation used by pilgrims to Eastern pilgrimage shrines, based on the evidence of late antique and early medieval graffiti, and dedicatory inscriptions, in particular the way the pilgrims stressed their family relationships. First the practice of executing graffiti on behalf of absent family members is analysed, as documented by the Pilgrim of Piacenza. There follows a survey of Greek graffiti from several majors sites: the port of Grammata on the island of Syros, Rusafa, Mizpe Shivta, and Ephesos, which reveal a number of formulae of prayers on behalf of one’s household (oikos), extended family, and individual family members: fathers, mothers, and other relatives. The paper includes a short Appendix with remarks on differences between pilgrim graffiti in the East and those known from Roman suburban cemeteries.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Women's Studies, Family studies, Pilgrimage, and 13 moreCult of Saints, Greek Epigraphy, Byzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, Byzantine History, Latin Epigraphy, Graffiti, Late Roman Empire, Late Roman Archaeology, Ancient Graffiti (Archaeology), Pilgrimage and travel to the Holy Land, Archaeology of pilgrimage, and Ancient Graffiti
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Research Interests: Ancient History, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Anatolian Studies, Anatolian Archaeology, Late Antique Archaeology, and 11 moreCult of Saints, Greek Epigraphy, Late Antiquity, Roman Epigraphy, Late Antique Hagiography, Late Antique Religion, Religious Studies, Greek and Roman Epigraphy, Epigraphy, Roman and Byzantine Asia Minor, and Greek and Latin Epigraphy of Asia Minor
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Publication of a newly identified fragment of the so-called SYLA inscription from Cyrene (editio princeps in SECir, no. 103 + Dobias-Lalou–Laronde, REG 90, pp. 1-14). The fragment used to be erroneously identified as piece of the accounts... more
Publication of a newly identified fragment of the so-called SYLA inscription from Cyrene (editio princeps in SECir, no. 103 + Dobias-Lalou–Laronde, REG 90, pp. 1-14). The fragment used to be erroneously identified as piece of the accounts of the demiourgoi (cf. ZPE 125, p. 163, no. 130), but remained unpublished. Now in the Archaeological Museum in Cracow (Poland): inv. no. MAK/AS/2401.
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The author makes a few remarks on two inscriptions from Amathous (Cyprus) that mention a hieros topos of Aphrodite restored by proconsul L. Bruttius Maximus in 79/80 CE (JHS 66, p. 40 revised in BCH130/1, p. 88, cf. SEG LVI 1822-1823; AE... more
The author makes a few remarks on two inscriptions from Amathous (Cyprus) that mention a hieros topos of Aphrodite restored by proconsul L. Bruttius Maximus in 79/80 CE (JHS 66, p. 40 revised in BCH130/1, p. 88, cf. SEG LVI 1822-1823; AE 2006, 1562-1563). P. Aupert, who edited the second inscription, supposed that the shrine had been damaged by an earthquake and then it had required reconstruction. However, the contents of the inscriptions are so close to the legal decision of August and Agrippa known from an inscription from Kyme (I. Kyme, 17) that another interpretation becomes highly probable. It seems that the shrine had been illegally seized by somebody and then the proconsul ordered it to be returned and the cult restored. The fact that proconsuls of Cyprus were concerned with such cases is attested by a I c. inscription from Kos (AE 1934, 86), which says that Aulus Didius Postumus was honoured by the citizens of Kos for returning them their Cypriot sacred grounds.
Research Interests: Ancient History, Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Roman History, Cypriot Archaeology, and 12 moreCyprus Studies, Roman Law, Greek Epigraphy, Ancient Religion, Latin Epigraphy, History of Cyprus, Ancient Greek Religion, Roman provincial administration, Ancient Greek History, Ancient Greek Epigraphy, Roman Cyprus, and Roman Archaeology
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"DOG-HEADED (AND) SAINTS. THE THEME AND REASONS OF ITS OCCURRENCE IN EARLY CHRISTIAN LITERATURE Meetings of saints with dog-headed people is an interesting theme present in the early Christian literature. The Eastern writings... more
"DOG-HEADED (AND) SAINTS. THE THEME AND REASONS OF ITS OCCURRENCE IN EARLY CHRISTIAN LITERATURE
Meetings of saints with dog-headed people is an interesting theme present in the early Christian literature. The Eastern writings concerning St Andrew, St Barnabas and St Christopher show that the assistance of adog-headed was necessary for Christianization of pagans. The way of portraying adog-headed and the motif of the change of his wild nature into a human one (leading to acquiring of human virtues) seem to be common for all these text and appear in some further ones also (ex. Life of St. Mercurius in Copto-Arabic Synnaxarium). Another interesting issue is aGnostic ruler of an astral sphere – archon Erathaoth, portrayed as dog-headed by Origen in Contra Celsum. This
figure could have been influenced by an astrological tradition.
There may have been various reasons for using this theme in the ancient texts. First, Christian authors were discussing the possibility of conversion of pagans, who were very different from tribes known to Romans for along period of time. The argu-
ments for this interpretation can be found in Augustine’s De Civitate Dei and Ratramnus’s Epistula de cynocephalis, which both contain adiscussion on the alleged human origin of
dog-headed creatures and hence conclude that they could be baptised. The other option is the influence of the Egyptian culture and religion. The authors wanted to compromise it by describing adog-headed creature (similar to Anubis) as afaithful follower of
Christ. The same measures were used by Hieronymus in Vita Pauli with respect to centaurs and satyrs."
Meetings of saints with dog-headed people is an interesting theme present in the early Christian literature. The Eastern writings concerning St Andrew, St Barnabas and St Christopher show that the assistance of adog-headed was necessary for Christianization of pagans. The way of portraying adog-headed and the motif of the change of his wild nature into a human one (leading to acquiring of human virtues) seem to be common for all these text and appear in some further ones also (ex. Life of St. Mercurius in Copto-Arabic Synnaxarium). Another interesting issue is aGnostic ruler of an astral sphere – archon Erathaoth, portrayed as dog-headed by Origen in Contra Celsum. This
figure could have been influenced by an astrological tradition.
There may have been various reasons for using this theme in the ancient texts. First, Christian authors were discussing the possibility of conversion of pagans, who were very different from tribes known to Romans for along period of time. The argu-
ments for this interpretation can be found in Augustine’s De Civitate Dei and Ratramnus’s Epistula de cynocephalis, which both contain adiscussion on the alleged human origin of
dog-headed creatures and hence conclude that they could be baptised. The other option is the influence of the Egyptian culture and religion. The authors wanted to compromise it by describing adog-headed creature (similar to Anubis) as afaithful follower of
Christ. The same measures were used by Hieronymus in Vita Pauli with respect to centaurs and satyrs."
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8th Epigraphy.info Workshop organised by the Department of Digital History at the Humboldt University of Berlin, with the courtesy of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW). April 3rd-5th, 2024.
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Research Interests: Ancient History, Pilgrimage, Cult of Saints, Pilgrimage Routes, Greek Epigraphy, and 11 moreLatin Epigraphy, Ancient Near East, History of Religion (Medieval Studies), Graffiti, Ancient Graffiti (Archaeology), Epigraphy, Inscriptions, Archaeology of pilgrimage, Ancient Graffiti, Mediaeval Cult of Relics and Saints, and Early Christian Papyri and Inscriptions
International Medieval Congress 2017, Leeds, 3-6 July 2017, session: Relics at the Interface between Textuality and Materiality, c. 400-c. 1200, II: Inscribing the Relics, organised by Elisa Pallottini (Universiteit Utrecht), Janneke... more
International Medieval Congress 2017, Leeds, 3-6 July 2017, session: Relics at the Interface between Textuality and Materiality, c. 400-c. 1200, II: Inscribing the Relics, organised by Elisa Pallottini (Universiteit Utrecht), Janneke Raaijmakers (Universiteit Utrecht), and Julia Smith (University of Oxford)
The 49th Spring Symposium of the Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies INSCRIBING TEXTS IN BYZANTIUM: CONTINUITIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS 18-20 March 2016, Exeter College, Oxford In spite of the striking abundance of extant... more
The 49th Spring Symposium of the Society
for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies
INSCRIBING TEXTS
IN BYZANTIUM:
CONTINUITIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS
18-20 March 2016, Exeter College, Oxford
In spite of the striking abundance of extant primary material – over 4000 Greek texts produced in the period between the sixth and fifteenth centuries – Byzantine Epigraphy remains largely uncharted territory, with a reputation for being elusive and esoteric that obstinately persists. References to inscriptions in our texts show how ubiquitous and deeply engrained the epigraphic habit was in Byzantine society, and underscore the significance of epigraphy as an auxiliary discipline. The growing interest in material culture, including inscriptions, has opened new avenues of research and led to various explorations in the field of epigraphy, but what is urgently needed is a synthetic approach that incorporates literacy, built environment, social and political contexts, and human agency. The SPBS Symposium 2016 has invited specialists in the field to examine diverse epigraphic material in order to trace individual epigraphic habits, and outline overall inscriptional traditions. In addition to the customary format of panel papers and shorter communications, the Symposium will organise a round table, whose participants will lead a debate on the topics presented in the panel papers, and discuss the methodological questions of collection, presentation and interpretation of Byzantine inscriptional material.
for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies
INSCRIBING TEXTS
IN BYZANTIUM:
CONTINUITIES AND TRANSFORMATIONS
18-20 March 2016, Exeter College, Oxford
In spite of the striking abundance of extant primary material – over 4000 Greek texts produced in the period between the sixth and fifteenth centuries – Byzantine Epigraphy remains largely uncharted territory, with a reputation for being elusive and esoteric that obstinately persists. References to inscriptions in our texts show how ubiquitous and deeply engrained the epigraphic habit was in Byzantine society, and underscore the significance of epigraphy as an auxiliary discipline. The growing interest in material culture, including inscriptions, has opened new avenues of research and led to various explorations in the field of epigraphy, but what is urgently needed is a synthetic approach that incorporates literacy, built environment, social and political contexts, and human agency. The SPBS Symposium 2016 has invited specialists in the field to examine diverse epigraphic material in order to trace individual epigraphic habits, and outline overall inscriptional traditions. In addition to the customary format of panel papers and shorter communications, the Symposium will organise a round table, whose participants will lead a debate on the topics presented in the panel papers, and discuss the methodological questions of collection, presentation and interpretation of Byzantine inscriptional material.