Chapters in Byzantine Cultural History

Pre-requisites: Enrollment in the first semester of doctoral studies (history) or applicable semester at another dept.

Course objectives: An introduction to the powerful and refined byzantine civilization that had an unmeasurable influence on many medieval people groups and countries, especially those that are included in the syntagma the "Byzantine Commonwealth".

Course description: As the longest living country "on this side of the Chinese wall", the Byzantine empire existed for more than one thousand and one hundred years, beginning with the decline of the ancient to the arrival of the renaissance(4th-15th century). For centuries it carried the aureole of a world empire stretching on three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa - and was immeasurable influential in many european countries and cultures. We are speaking of a refined and superior civilization that had no rival during the first millennium after Christ. It's influence extended as far as to some western European nations in latin civilizations, the islamic and arab world, later with Turks, and especially cultures hose that are included in the syntagma the "Byzantine Commonwealth". Even in times of economic and military weakness, the Byzantine empire managed to stay at the top of the cultural medieval world. Furthermore, byzantine influences have remained even after the physical demise of the Kingdom - with the so-called phenomena "Byzantium after Byzantium".

Learning Outcomes: Comprehension of the role and value of byzantine civilization in overall world history, its influence on other peoples and culture, as well as understanding the phenomenon "Byzantinium after Byzantium".

Literature/Reading:

• G. Ostrogorski, Istorija Vizantije, Beograd 1959. (reprint: 1991)
• Oksfordska istorija Vizantije, prir. S. Mango, Beograd 2004.
• Kultura Vizantii, I-II-III, Moskva 1984-1989-1991.
• S. Ransimen, Vizantijska civilizacija, Subotica - Beograd 1964.
• L. Breje, Vizantijska civilizacija, Beograd 1976.
• H. -G. Bek, Vizantijski milenijum, Beograd 1998.
• J. Majendorf, Vizantijsko bogoslovlje. Istorijski tokovi i dogmatske teme, Beograd 2001.
• A. V. Kartašov, Vaselenski sabori, prev. M. Lalić, I-II, Beograd 1995.
• R. Popović, Vaseljenski sabori. Odabrani dokumenti, Beograd 2007.
• V. Stanković, Putovanja kroz Vizantiju, Beograd 2016.