Economic Thought and Ideology in the Patristic and Byzantine Tradition

This project examines the formation and evolution of economic thought and ideology within the patristic and Byzantine tradition, focusing on key concepts such as wealth, poverty, almsgiving, hoarding, usury, and social justice. Particular emphasis is placed on the systematic thought of the Greek Church Fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries, as well as on the contributions of Byzantine scholars from various periods to the development and articulation of economic ideas within the socio-economic structures of the empire. The analysis draws on a broad range of literary genres, enabling a comprehensive approach to the dialectical relationship between Christian ethics, social ideology, and economic reality. The project also investigates the continuities and transformations observable from Late Antiquity through to the late Byzantine period. Its aim is to offer an interpretative perspective on the ways in which ethical, religious, and social mechanisms shaped economic views, while remaining attentive to broader developments in the economy.