Accessibility statement

From Rome to Byzantium, c. 300-c.800 - CED00228C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Rosemary Morris
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This course will examine the transformation of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire into the East Christian Empire of Byzantium. It will examine the processes by which political power shifted eastwards from Rome to Constantinople and the political and religious fortunes of the state based on this new, Christian capital.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2023-24

Module aims

This course aims:

  • To encourage the use of documentary and visual sources and independent historical analysis.
  • To consider the historiography of the years 300-800
  • To familiarise students with the major debates concerning the nature and character of the early Byzantine State and the internal and external challenges it faced
  • To analyse and debate the concepts of ‘transition’, ‘change’ and ‘transformation’.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Apply skills of historical analysis confidently to primary documentary sources and visual material
  • Demonstrate an understanding of major areas of debate concerning the transformation of the Roman World in the Eastern Mediterranean
  • Re-evaluate historians’ interpretations of Byzantine History of the period 300-800
  • Select and organise a range of materials to present an argument

Module content

Indicative content:

  1. Beginning Byzantium: definitions and debates
  2. The Eastern Provinces of the Later Roman Empire
  3. The East and the Barbarian invasions
  4. Constantine and his city
  5. Christianizing the Empire
  6. Re-establishing the Roman Empire? The Age of Justinian
  7. Art and architecture in the Sixth Century
  8. Byzantium and the challenge of Islam
  9. Byzantium in the ‘Dark Age’
  10. Iconoclasm and its aftermath

The Classical Tradition in Byzantium

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay : A critical essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted. The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • P. R. L. Brown, The World of Late Antiquity
  • R. Browning, Justinian and Theodora
  • A. Cameron, The Later Roman Empire (AD 284-430)
  • A. Cameron, The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity, 395-600
  • P. Chuvin, A Chronicle of the Last Pagans.
  • R. Cormack, Writing in Gold
  • F. Donner, The Early Islamic Conquests
  • J.V. Fine, The Early medieval Balkans
  • J. Herrin, The Formation of Christendom
  • J. Herrin, Women in Purple
  • C. Mango, Art of the Byzantine Empire (312-1453)
  • J. Moorhead, The Roman Empire Divided (400-700)
  • J. Moorhead, Justinian
  • M. Whittow, The Making of Orthodox Byzantium


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.