Author Description

"From sailing down the Euphrates to hunting with cheetahs in Constantinople, the studies collected in this volume offer engaging and often challenging new perspectives on aspects of Byzantine art and archaeology in honour of Marlia Mundell Mango. In recognition and celebration of the achievements of Marlia (Maria Cordelia) Mundell Mango as a researcher and as a teacher, twelve of her doctoral students offer her this volume of collected essays, showcasing recent research in Byzantine archaeology and material culture studies. The essays are divided into three sections. The first comprises studies on Byzantine economy, shipping, road networks, production and trade from Late Antiquity down to the time of the Crusades. The studies in the second part discuss facets of the material culture and the lifestyle especially of the upper social strata in the Byzantine Empire, while those of the final section explore aspects of artistic creativity in the lands of the empire. Taken together, these diverse studies offer 'glimpses' into the Byzantine economy and trade, lifestyle and religion, ideology and identity, artistic creativity and its impact beyond the Byzantine frontier, illustrating a variety of methodological approaches and pointing towards new directions for future research. Their wide chronological, geographic and thematic coverage is in itself a tribute to Marlia Mango's breadth of knowledge and a reflection of her far-ranging research interests."--