Institute of Historical Research . Section of Byzantine Research

The Project aims at examining, for the first time in a systematic way, the phenomenon of alchemy throughout the Byzantine period, attempting to highlight its important aspects but also the often-ignored contribution of Byzantium to the history of alchemy. Emphasis is placed on both the theoretical and practical nature of alchemy. Regarding the latter, the Project studies alchemy’s relationship with material culture, various artisanal fields, as well as imitation and counterfeiting techniques and the economy in general. To implement its activities, the Project has developed collaborations in Greece and abroad.

The Project was established in 2016 in order to investigate aspects of alchemy in Byzantium, within the framework of the Program “Everyday and Social Life in Byzantium”. Since then it has developed an extensive network of collaborations with various scientific institutions, as well as academics and researchers from Greece and abroad. In 2018, “Alchemy in Byzantium” developed into an independent project.

Research Projects

2012-2015: Participation in the project Digital Archive concerning Alchemy in Byzantium and in Greek-speaking Communities of the Ottoman Empire [DACALBO] of the program “Thales”.
2016 - present day: Cooperation partner of the project Der griechische Traktat “Über die hochgeschätzte und berühmte Goldschmiedekunst“ – Edition und interdisziplinärer Kommentar, Leibniz-WissenschaftsCampus Mainz.
2017-2020: “Alchemy in Byzantium: Modern Research Trends and Approaches”, within the framework of the IHR, NHRF project Anavathmis. Historical Research and Digital Applications.

Conferences and Events

9-10 November 2020: International Workshop - Alchemy in Byzantium: A Research Field on the Rise, NHRF, Athens.
Papers at conferences in Greece and abroad.
Invited lectures at the Universities of Patras (2016), Athens (2017, 2018) and Bologna (2018), and at the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, Mainz (2016).
Participation in educational activities, combining lectures and replications of alchemical recipes: e.g. European Researchers’ Night 2017 (with G. Mousdis) and 2019 (with M. Botsivali); Onassis Library Educational Programs 2017-2018 (with S. Sakorrafou); Arsakeia-Tositseia Schools (Ekali), 2017 - present day.

Publications

V. Koutalis – M. Martelli – G. Merianos, “Graeco-Egyptian, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Alchemy: Introductory Remarks”, in: Greek Alchemy from Late Antiquity to Early Modernity, ed. Ε. Nicolaidis, Brepols, Turnhout 2018, 11-43.
G. Merianos, “Alchemy”, in: The Cambridge Intellectual History of Byzantium, eds. A. Kaldellis – N. Siniossoglou, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2017, 234-251.
M. Leontsini – G. Merianos, “Bizans’ta süt ve peynirin çeşitli kullanımları: Beslenme ve simya”, Yemek ve Kültür 48 (Yaz 2017), 58-66.
G. Merianos, “John Kanaboutzes, Fifteenth-Century Writer”, entry in the database Digital Archive concerning Alchemy in Byzantium and in Greek-Speaking Communities of the Ottoman Empire (DACALBO), 2016.
M. Leontsini – G. Merianos, “From Culinary to Alchemical Recipes. Various Uses of Milk and Cheese in Byzantium”, in: Latte e Latticini. Aspetti della produzione e del consumo nelle società mediterranee dell’Antichità e del Medioevo, eds. I. Anagnostakis – A. Pellettieri, Grafica Zaccara, Lagonegro 2016, 205-222.
G. Merianos, “Oil and Wine in Byzantine Alchemical Recipes”, in: Identità euromediterranea e paesaggi culturali del vino e dell’olio, ed. A. Pellettieri, Edizioni Centro Grafico, Foggia 2014, 249-259.
S. Sakorrafou – G. Merianos, “John Kanaboutzes’ Commentary on Dionysios of Halikarnassos: A Perception of Alchemy in a Fifteenth-Century Greek Text”, in: Scientific Cosmopolitanism and Local Cultures: Religions, Ideologies, Societies, ed. G. Katsiampoura, NHRF, IHR, Athens 2014, 86-94.
G. Merianos – S. Sakorrafou, “Μαρτυρίες περί αλχημείας στο Βυζάντιο σε μη αλχημικά κείμενα [Evidence on Alchemy in Byzantium in non-Alchemical Texts]”, in: Επιστήμη και Τεχνολογία. Ιστορικές και ιστοριογραφικές μελέτες [Science and Technology. Historical and Historiographical Studies], eds. Eir. Mergoupi-Savaidou – G. Merianos – F. Papanelopoulou – Ch. Christopoulou, Ekdotike Athenon, Athens 2013, 45-65.