Social Roles and Collective Νοrms

The Project “Social Roles and Collective Norms” is part of the broader research initiative “Everyday and Social Life of the Byzantines” and focuses on the mechanisms underlying the formation and functioning of social groups, as well as the ways in which social status is reflected in Byzantine sources. The research began with an analysis of the political roles of various social groups, as revealed through surviving Byzantine evidence—both textual and archaeological. During the related postdoctoral research, particular emphasis was placed on the concept of social mobility and the factors contributing to shifts within the social hierarchy. These dynamics are especially evident in descriptions of power and subordination within institutional frameworks and in the political influence wielded by dominant groups, such as extended family networks and the military. Gender discrimination is also explored as a crucial factor in shaping and projecting social roles and behavioral norms. In its most recent phase, the project employs methodological tools from narrative analysis and social anthropology to further investigate these themes, offering new insights into Byzantine social structures and collective mentalities.