Economy and Society of the Byzantine Empire

This research area explores key aspects of the economic and social history of Byzantium, aiming to uncover the structures, ideologies, and mechanisms that shaped daily life and the political economy of the empire. The focus is placed on five core themes:

(1) Economic Ideology: The evolution of economic thought within the patristic and Byzantine traditions, emphasizing concepts such as wealth, poverty, philanthropy, hoarding, usury, and social justice. (2) Agricultural Economy: Agricultural production, processing, and commercial exploitation in the Middle and Late Byzantine Peloponnese. Special attention is given to the factors affecting rural life, including natural disasters, warfare, technological innovations, and patterns of consumer behavior. (3) Trade Networks (9th-15th centuries): The structure and organization of trade, the role of the state, and the activities of Greek-speaking merchants in Constantinople, the southern Balkans, Asia Minor, and the islands. (4) Prosopography: The study of individuals in state and church roles, the aristocracy, and notable figures, with a focus on gender, identity, and diversity. (5) Social Structure and Ideology: Analysis of social and economic inequalities, the composition of various social groups, their responses to internal and external challenges, and the ideological underpinnings of Byzantine society.