IV

Culture and Ideology

The Section of Byzantine Research devotes part of its activities to the study of Byzantine culture and ideas, examining both the material and intellectual expressions of society.

The research encompasses a wide range of topics, from the analysis of artefacts, sculptures, ceramics, frescoes, and books to the study of literature, religion, the history of science, emotions, and cultural identities. Special attention is given to the everyday and social life of the Byzantines, while the study of Latin dominions in the Greek territories integrates research on both literature and material culture. The approach is interdisciplinary, combining archaeological and historical tools with modern methods, such as network theory and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between ideas and material culture.

Byzantine Culture

The section Byzantine Culture includes ongoing projects conducted either independently or within the context of collaborative research and broader scholarly or cultural activities, supported by both national and European funding. These activities encompass a wide range of specialized research fields related to the study, promotion, and documentation of Byzantine culture, providing valuable data that enhance the understanding of Byzantine society, religion, art, and intellectual life.

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Everyday and Social Life of the Byzantines

The research area Every day and Social Life of the Byzantines (KKBB) focuses on the investigation of the social and cultural dimensions of daily life in Byzantium. It explores social attitudes, habits, choices, and responses—at both individual and collective levels, in public and private spheres—as reflected in historical sources ranging from written texts and artistic works to material objects. The research area has also integrated a project that examines emotions through the combined lenses of historical analysis and psychology.

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Latin Dominions in the Greek Territories (13th-17th Centuries): Literature and Material Culture

Literature and material culture in the Greek world during the late medieval and early modern periods reflect the dynamic encounter of cultures, religions, and mentalities, leaving behind a rich repository of information. Within this context lies the role of Venice as a long-standing Latin dominant power in the eastern Mediterranean, alongside other Latin powers such as Genoa and the Knights Hospitaller in the Dodecanese.

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