090140 VO The Mediterranean in Late Antiquity (2011S)

The period between the third and the early eighth century was a turning point in the history of Europe, as the political and cultural unity of the Mediterranean was fragmented. The Roman Empire was replaced by smaller kingdoms in the West, while the Byzantine Empire of the East preserved the imperial heritage. Christianity became the dominant religion and a major influence in both private and political life. The presence of Germanic, 'barbarian' tribes created new problems of accommodation. By the end of the period, the Arab invasions brought long-lasting consequences for the political geography of the Mediterranean. This course traces the factors that contributed to the transformation of the Classical world on the threshold to the Middle Ages, with particular emphasis on issues of political, cultural, and religious identity.