Past Events
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EST, UTC -5) | Zoom
Political Rituals and Urban Communities in Cilician Armenia
Gohar Grigoryan, University of Fribourg
A lecture exploring the outdoor rituals of Cilician Armenia from the perspective of the urban communities who viewed them. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EST, UTC -5) | Zoom
Language Care and Community: The Fashioning of Middle Armenian into a Courtly Vernacular
Michael Pifer, University of Ann Arbor
A lecture exploring the continued use of Middle Armenian after the last Armenian kingdom fell to the Mamluks in 1375 and the communities that continued to use it. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
Daughter, Healer, Soldier, Spy: Finding Communities in the Medieval Middle Eastern Countryside
Reyhan Durmaz, University of Pennsylvania
A lecture exploring a group of demographic categories that are often sidelined in our conventional taxonomies of the medieval Middle Eastern society. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
November 18, 2022, February 17, 2023, June 5–6, 2023 | Zoom
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium IX: Networks
Zara Pogossian, University of Florence
Joel Walker, University of Washington
A three-part workshop that intends to bring together doctoral students and very recent PhDs studying the Christian East to reflect on how to reflect on the usefulness of networks in studying the Christian East, to share methodologies, and to discuss their research with senior specialists in the field. Participation is limited to 10 students.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
The Öngüt Connection: Christianity among the Turks of Medieval Eurasia
Joel Walker, University of Washington
A lecture exploring the Christian tradition of the Öngüt Turks of Inner Mongolia, who played a pivotal role in the rise of the Mongol Empire (1206–1368). Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
Divine King or Sacrilegious Upstart? The Portrait of Emperor Yǝkunno Amlak in Gännätä Maryam
Jacopo Gnisci, University College London
A lecture exploring the reign of Yǝkunno Amlak, the founder of the Solomonic dynasty. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EST, UTC -5) | Zoom
Dynastic Change, Family Networks and Female Genealogies in Medieval Armenia (11th–13th c.)
Zara Pogossian, University of Florence
A lecture exploring changes in the social structure of Armenia in the eleventh to late thirteenth centuries that led to the creation of new family networks and dynasties through marriage alliances. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
East of Byzantium: Syriac Christianity along the Silk Road
Li Tang, University of Salzburg
A lecture exploring the expansion of medieval Syriac Christianity in Central Asia and China and along the Silk Road. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
STUDYING EAST OF BYZANTIUM VIII
November 19, 2021, February 18, 2022, June 6–7, 2022 | Zoom
Studying East of Byzantium VIII: Material Culture
Marica Cassis, University of Calgary
Kate Franklin, Birkbeck, University of London
A three-part workshop that intends to bring together doctoral students studying the Christian East to reflect on how to study the material world of the Christian East, to share methodologies, and to discuss their research with senior specialists in the field. Participation is limited to 10 students. Those interested in attending should submit a C.V. and 200-word abstract no later than Monday, September 13, 2021.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | Zoom
The Rediscovery of the Church of the East in the Arabian Gulf
Robert Carter, Qatar Museums (as of April 2022)
A lecture exploring the rediscovery of the Church of the East in the Gulf during the mid-20th century. Advance registration is required.
MORE INFORMATION | POSTER | TIME ZONE CONVERTER
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM EST (UTC -5) | Zoom
Syriac Villages in the Tur Abdin: A Microhistory of the Medieval Middle East
Marica Cassis, University of Calgary
A lecture exploring the significance of colonialism in the study of Tur Abdin, the importance of microhistory in understanding archaeological material, and the overall underdiscussed material present in the region.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Monday, November 15, 2021 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EST, UTC -5 | Zoom
Eternal ‘Silk Road’? The Rise of Sogdiana during the 3rd–4th Centuries A.D.
Sören Stark, Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University
A lecture exploring the rise of Sogdiana as one of Eurasia’s economic power houses during Late Antiquity.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021 | 12:00 PM–1:30 PM (EDT, UTC -4) | ZOOM
COSMOPOLITANISM AS HOSPITALITY: CHRISTIAN CHARITY AND THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE MEDIEVAL SILK ROAD IN ARMENIA
KATE FRANKLIN, BIRKBECK, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
A lecture exploring the materiality of charity in high medieval Armenia.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium VII
November 20, 2020, February 26, 2021, June 3–4, 2021 | Virtual (with possible live final events at Tufts University, Medford, MA)
STUDYING EAST OF BYZANTIUM VII: IN CONVERSATION WITH ANTI-RACISM, PANDEMIC, AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY
Zsuzanna Gulácsi, Northern Arizona University
Sergio La Porta, California State University, Fresno
A three-part workshop that intends to bring together doctoral students studying the Christian East to discuss how the events of 2020—from the intensified conservations about systemic racism and economic inequality stemming acts of police violence on Black men and women in the United States to the dramatic changes to life and work brought about by the coronavirus pandemic—have impacted their research with a diverse group of colleagues and senior specialists in the field. Participation is limited to 10 students. Those interested in attending should submit a C.V. and 200-word abstract no later than Tuesday, September 15, 2020.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | 3:00–4:30 PM (EST) | Zoom
BACK TO BYZANTIUM: TRANSLATION, LEGITIMACY, AND WORLDING ON THE BYZANTINE FRONTIER
Sergio La Porta, California State University, Fresno
A lecture discussing the translation of the martyrology of St. Step‘anos Ulnec‘i and its place in the larger Mediterranean world.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Friday, January 29, 2021 | 3:00–4:30 PM (EST) | Zoom
SIDEWAYS-ORIENTED IMAGES OF MANICHAEAN AND ARMENIAN LITURGICAL BOOKS
Zsuzsanna Gulácsi, Northern Arizona University
A lecture exploring codicological connections between Manichaean manuscripts and Eastern Christian and Islamic manuscripts from Syro-Mesopotamia and what these similarities suggest about contact between the Manichaean communities in East Central Asia and their Mesopotamian homeland well into the medieval period.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium VI
Friday, March 13–Saturday, March 14, 2020 | Tufts University, Medford, MA
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the workshop was held virtually on March 13, 2020
STUDYING EAST OF BYZANTIUM VI: THE STATE OF THE FIELD
Valentina Calzolari, Université de Genève
Christina Maranci, Tufts University
A two-day workshop that intends to bring together doctoral students in North America studying the Christian East to reflect on the state of the field across its many disciplines, to share methodologies, and to discuss their research with senior specialists in the field. Participation is limited to 10 students. Those interested in attending should submit a C.V. and 200-word abstract no later than Friday, December 13, 2019.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium V
Friday, April 12, 2019 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
IMAGE-MAKING AND ANXIETY AMONG NEW JULFA’S ARMENIAN ARTISTS, THEOLOGIANS & MERCHANTS
Amy Landau, Freer|Sackler, Smithsonian Institution
A workshop for students exploring how Armenian artists, theologians, merchants, among others, thought about images and image-making in early modern Iran. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Thursday, April 11, 2019 | 6:15–7:45 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
ARMENIAN MERCHANT PATRONAGE OF EARLY MODERN IRAN
Amy Landau, Freer|Sackler, Smithsonian Institution
A lecture discussing the patronage of New Julfa’s Armenian merchant community.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium V
Friday, March 29, 2019 | 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
A MEDIEVAL ARMENIAN TEXT IN ITS EURASIAN CONTEXT
Sergio La Porta, Fresno State, and Alison M. Vacca, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
A workshop for students focusing on a history of the Islamic conquest and rule of Armenia by the 8th-century Armenian priest Łewond. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium IV
Friday, November 2, 2018 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
ARMENIA! STUDY DAY
Helen C. Evans, Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A study day for students focusing on the exhibition ARMENIA! on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Attendance is strictly limited to 10 matriculating students. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop. East of Byzantium will reimburse students for travel expenses. Please review the reimbursement requirements on the More Information page carefully.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium III
Friday, April 13, 2018 | 10:00 AM–12:30 PM | Armenian Museum of America, 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA
WORKSHOP & STUDY DAY AT THE ARMENIAN MUSEUM OF AMERICA
V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, St. Nersess Armenian Seminary & Christina Maranci, Tufts University
A study day for students focusing on Armenian liturgy and Armenian liturgical objects. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop. Transportation between Harvard Square and Watertown will be provided.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM LECTURE
Monday, October 16, 2017 | 6:15 PM–7:45 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
ARABIC-SPEAKING CHRISTIANS AND THE BIBLE
Jack Tannous, Princeton University
A lecture discussing the status of Arabic as a Christian language.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium III
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
AN EARLY ARABIC NEW TESTAMENT TRANSLATION
Jack Tannous, Princeton University
A workshop for students focusing on early Arabic translations of the New Testament. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium III
Friday, September 29, 2017 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
LANGUAGE CONTACT IN CENTRAL ASIA
Adam McCollum, University of Notre Dame
A workshop for students offering the opportunity for a broad look at the linguistically diverse textual witness to life on the Silk Road(s), or Central Asia, during the 9th–13th centuries. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium II
Friday, April 7, 2017 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
EAST SYRIAC CHRISTIANITY IN THE MONGOL EMPIRE
Mark Dickens, University of Alberta
A workshop for students focusing on East Syriac Christianity in the Mongol Empire. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM SYMPOSIUM
Friday, March 31, 2017 | 9:30 AM–5:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
CULTURAL HERITAGE ACROSS THE CHRISTIAN EAST
A symposium exploring the challenges of preserving the cultural heritage of the Christian East.
SPEAKERS: Allison E. Cuneo, American Schools of Oriental Research; Laurent Dissard, University College London; Karel C. Innemée, University of Amsterdam; Anton Pritula, Hill Museum & Manuscript Library and The State Hermitage Museum.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium II
Friday, November 18, 2016 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
WHICH NUBIA AND WHICH BYZANTIUM?
Giovanni R. Ruffini, Fairfield University
A workshop for students on medieval Nubia and its place in Byzantine society and the larger Mediterranean world. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium II
Friday, October 21, 2016 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
ANTI-JEWISH POLEMIC AMONG SYRIAC CHRISTIANS DURING THE FIRST CENTURIES OF ISLAM
Aaron Michael Butts, The Catholic University of America
A workshop for students exploring anti-Jewish polemical texts written by Syriac-speaking Christians during the early centuries of Islam. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium II
Friday, September 30, 2016 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
THE LATE MEDIEVAL ANATOLIAN CITY: URBAN SELF-GOVERNANCE AND THE QUESTION OF DEMOCRACY
Rachel Goshgarian, Lafayette College
A workshop for students considering the development of the city in late medieval Anatolia. Seating is limited. Registration is required. A short group of pre-assigned readings will be circulated at least one week prior to the workshop. Participants are expected to complete the readings before the workshop.
EAST OF BYZANTIUM WORKSHOP
Studying East of Byzantium I
Thursday, April 14, 2016, 10:00 am–12:00 pm | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
STUDYING EAST OF BYZANTIUM
Antony Eastmond, The Courtauld Institute of Art
A workshop for students designed to introduce the study of the Christian East. Seating is limited. Registration is required.
EASY OF BYZANTIUM INAUGURAL LECTURE
Wednesday, April 13, 2016, 6:15 pm | Harvard Faculty Club, 20 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
EAST OF BYZANTIUM: SHIFTING IDENTITIES AND NEW APPROACHES
Antony Eastmond, The Courtauld Institute of Art
Anthony Kaldellis, The Ohio State University, Respondent
Antony Eastmond traces developments in the study of lands east of Byzantium over the past thirty years.
East of Byzantium 