Universität Wien

090096 PS The apocalyptic tradition in Byzantium: Texts and themes in Eastern Christianity, 300-1600 (2022W)

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 9 - Altertumswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 14 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 12.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 19.10. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 09.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 16.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 23.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 30.11. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 07.12. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 14.12. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 11.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 18.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock
  • Wednesday 25.01. 10:45 - 12:15 Seminarraum d. Inst. f. Byzantinistik u. Neogräzistik, Postgasse 9, 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course offers an introduction to the most significant texts and themes of Byzantine apocalyptic literature. Key characteristics of the Byzantine apocalyptic tradition will be discussed through a close reading of apocalyptic prophecies (in English translation). It will be shown that the Eastern Roman Empire developed an authoritative tradition that shaped the horizon of expectations across the wider Mediterranean region. Accordingly, references to neighboring cultures are welcome and will be included depending on interest. The selected timeframe extends from Emperor Constantine the Great († 337) to Sultan Selim II († 1574), which allows for a bird’s eye perspective upon the perennial legacy of Medieval Greek apocalypticism.

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to discuss actively in class the primary sources (in English translation), to give an oral presentation (ca. 20 min.) on a topic of their choosing, and to produce a response paper (ca. 500 words) on the assigned readings every two weeks. The final grade is determined by class participation (30%), in-class presentations (30%), and response papers (40%).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

Reading list

- Alexander, P. J. The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition. Ed. D. deF. Abrahamse. Berkeley, 1985.
- Kraft, A. “Byzantine apocalyptic literature.” In The Cambridge Companion to Apocalyptic Literature, ed. C. McAllister, pp. 172–189. Cambridge, 2020.
- Mango, C. Byzantium. The Empire of New Rome. New York, 1980, pp. 189–217.
- Olster, D. M. “Byzantine Apocalypses.” In The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism, Vol. 2, ed. J. J. Collins, B. McGinn, S. J. Stein, pp, 48–73. New York, 1998.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: We 21.09.2022 14:26