From its origins as the Eastern half of the Roman Empire, Byzantium played an over-sized role in the formation of Christendom. From the enormous church of Hagia Sophia to the smallest icon, religion shaped every facet of public life.

Significant doctrinal developments in Christianity all took place on Byzantine soil. Even as Rome fell, Byzantium remained impregnable, defending both faith and borders. No stranger to controversy, Byzantium was a hotbed of theological intrigue and palace plotting. It was also incredibly creative, with glorious icons, astonishing architecture, and a coinage the envy of the world.

We will focus on the fusion of Christianity and Empire in the first five hundred years. From the historic debates about the person of Christ and the role of Mary, to the iconoclastic controversies of later years, we will encounter Byzantium through its literature, iconography, and architecture. Along the way we will meet a host of figures who were larger than life in their own day, and whose achievements continue to shape the world we live in.

This course will combine lecture with class discussion.