Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.
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This course investigates some of the most distinctive and culturally significant outposts of the Byzantine world beyond Constantinople. Each weekly session focuses on a location where elements of Byzantine civilisation were not only preserved but actively reshaped in response to shifting political, religious, and cultural contexts. The course highlights the resilience and legacy of Byzantium in regions such as Mistra, Monemvasia, Mount Athos, the Mani, and Sicily.
What will we cover?
The cultural and historical importance of Mistra in late Byzantium
Monemvasia as a fortified trade centre and its varied rulers
Mount Athos as a spiritual centre and monastic community
The rugged Mani peninsula and its enduring Byzantine identity
Byzantine Sicily and its diplomatic and religious strategies under Arab pressure
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify and describe key Byzantine sites and their historical development
Analyse how Byzantine culture adapted to new political and religious realities in outlying regions
Discuss the art, architecture, and monastic life that characterised these outposts
Evaluate the lasting significance of these locations in the context of wider Byzantine history
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course suitable for anyone interested in the Byzantine world. No previous knowledge is required, though some familiarity with medieval or Mediterranean history may be helpful.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussion, and the analysis of primary and visual materials. No homework is required, though optional further reading will be suggested.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook or device for note-taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in medieval history. Please see the City Lit website.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/outposts-of-byzantium-part-22691156Outposts of Byzantium part 2https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history22851177117811821228511771178<p>Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.</p>002691120Outposts of Byzantium part 2149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/europe-1848-HEH115-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-02-18T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH120149149Outposts of Byzantium part 211997149Michael Bloomfieldoutposts-of-byzantium-part-2/heh120-2526<p>Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.</p>0000-Available|2026-02-18 00:00:00<p>This course investigates some of the most distinctive and culturally significant outposts of the Byzantine world beyond Constantinople. Each weekly session focuses on a location where elements of Byzantine civilisation were not only preserved but actively reshaped in response to shifting political, religious, and cultural contexts. The course highlights the resilience and legacy of Byzantium in regions such as Mistra, Monemvasia, Mount Athos, the Mani, and Sicily.</p><p>Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.</p><ul><li><p>The cultural and historical importance of Mistra in late Byzantium</p></li><li><p>Monemvasia as a fortified trade centre and its varied rulers</p></li><li><p>Mount Athos as a spiritual centre and monastic community</p></li><li><p>The rugged Mani peninsula and its enduring Byzantine identity</p></li><li><p>Byzantine Sicily and its diplomatic and religious strategies under Arab pressure</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify and describe key Byzantine sites and their historical development</p></li><li><p>Analyse how Byzantine culture adapted to new political and religious realities in outlying regions</p></li><li><p>Discuss the art, architecture, and monastic life that characterised these outposts</p></li><li><p>Evaluate the lasting significance of these locations in the context of wider Byzantine history</p></li></ul><p>This is an introductory course suitable for anyone interested in the Byzantine world. No previous knowledge is required, though some familiarity with medieval or Mediterranean history may be helpful.</p><p>The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussion, and the analysis of primary and visual materials. No homework is required, though optional further reading will be suggested.</p><p>There are no additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook or device for note-taking.</p><p>Other courses in medieval history. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual11914997HEH120NONEWed18/02/26 - 18/03/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMichael BloomfieldAvailable courses2026-02-18T00:00:00+00:00Feb 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Outposts of Byzantium part 2outposts-of-byzantium-part-2/heh120-2526<p>Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.</p>0000-Available|2026-02-18 00:00:00<p>This course investigates some of the most distinctive and culturally significant outposts of the Byzantine world beyond Constantinople. Each weekly session focuses on a location where elements of Byzantine civilisation were not only preserved but actively reshaped in response to shifting political, religious, and cultural contexts. The course highlights the resilience and legacy of Byzantium in regions such as Mistra, Monemvasia, Mount Athos, the Mani, and Sicily.</p><p>Explore late Byzantine culture through its Mediterranean outposts, from Mount Athos to Mistra and Monemvasia, where the Byzantine ethos persisted, adapted and flourished in art, architecture, philosophy and monastic life.</p><ul><li><p>The cultural and historical importance of Mistra in late Byzantium</p></li><li><p>Monemvasia as a fortified trade centre and its varied rulers</p></li><li><p>Mount Athos as a spiritual centre and monastic community</p></li><li><p>The rugged Mani peninsula and its enduring Byzantine identity</p></li><li><p>Byzantine Sicily and its diplomatic and religious strategies under Arab pressure</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Identify and describe key Byzantine sites and their historical development</p></li><li><p>Analyse how Byzantine culture adapted to new political and religious realities in outlying regions</p></li><li><p>Discuss the art, architecture, and monastic life that characterised these outposts</p></li><li><p>Evaluate the lasting significance of these locations in the context of wider Byzantine history</p></li></ul><p>This is an introductory course suitable for anyone interested in the Byzantine world. No previous knowledge is required, though some familiarity with medieval or Mediterranean history may be helpful.</p><p>The course will be taught through illustrated lectures, group discussion, and the analysis of primary and visual materials. No homework is required, though optional further reading will be suggested.</p><p>There are no additional costs. You may wish to bring a notebook or device for note-taking.</p><p>Other courses in medieval history. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
