Interaction and Isolation in Late Byzantine Culture

Confined to the restricted area within the city walls of Constantinople, Byzantium of the Palaiologan period (1261-1453) had lost much of its earlier political authority. It displayed an increasing tendency to interact with the world outside: diminishing resources made the need for help and support ever more pressing. But, despite those limiting factors, the cultural achievements of the period are still remarkably impressive. The so-called Palaiologan renaissance was short-lived and lacked a sustainable foundation, but it inspired new developments even in areas outside Byzantium proper. Western Europe became a new source of inspiration, while the influence of antiquity now proved particularly powerful. Aspects of art, literature, philosophy, archaeology and music are all discussed by the contributors to this comprehensive account of an important and influential period of Byzantine history. They include Ewa Balicka-Witakowska (Uppsala University), Borje Byden (Goteborg University), Rene Gothoni (University of Helsinki), Oystein Hjort (University of Copenhagen), Karin Hult (Goteborg University), Bente Kiilerich (University of Bergen), Siri Sande (Norwegian Institute in Rome), Hjalmar Torp (emer., University of Oslo), and Christian Troelsgard (University of Copenhagen).