“Latin Dominions in the Greek Territories” Background

Since 2018, the Research Area Latin Dominions in the Greek Territories, 13th-17th Centuries has continued the work of the earlier Program Byzantium and the West, which was established in 1996 under the inspiration and initial coordination of N. G. Moschonas, now Emeritus Research Director at the Institute.

The Research Area focuses on the study of the Latin dominions, that is, the colonies and principalities established after the fall of Constantinople in 1204 by Italian city-states and Frankish lords on the former territories of the Byzantine Empire in the Greek region. This historical period covers a wide geographical area and extends from the thirteenth century to the late eighteenth century.

At the Institute of Historical Research, current investigations primarily address areas under Venetian rule, with less emphasis on those controlled by other Latin Western powers (Franks, Angevins, Genoese, Florentines, Catalans). The research timeframe begins with the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade and the subsequent partition of the lands of Romania in 1204, continuing until the late seventeenth century, marked by the fall of the fortress of Candia in Crete to the Ottomans in 1669.

The Research Area is primarily concerned with the following fields of inquiry:

• Archival and library research in Greece and abroad aimed at gathering new information and identifying unpublished sources.
• The publication of historical sources relevant to the geographical area and period under study.
• The dissemination of research findings through research projects, monographs, other scholarly publications, digital applications, conferences, lectures, and seminars.

To date, the activities of the Research Area’s members, as well as those of external collaborators, have resulted in the publication of monographs, edited volumes, and dozens of articles in academic journals and collected volumes, as well as presentations in the proceedings of international conferences (for detailed information, see the curriculum vitae of the Research Area members).

Within the framework of the Research Area, and with the aim of disseminating accumulated knowledge, scientific conferences and workshops have been organized, open-access databases have been developed, and lecture series for the general public have been held. The researchers involved have also taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervised postgraduate theses and doctoral dissertations.