Byzantine Studies, Christian Archaeology and Byzantine Art History

(Prof. Dr. Johannes Pahlitzsch/ Prof. Dr. Ute Verstegen)


The Role of Icons and Relics in Byzantine War Culture

There are frequent connections made between military endeavours and Christian cult objects in historiographical sources and in the panegyric rhetoric of the Middle Byzantine period. Individual studies have already been written for relevant events; however, an overview is missing. For example, it is unclear whether such items were always taken on campaigns or only to those with imperial participation. Also interesting is the question of which objects (relics or icons) were selected over time and with which saints they were associated (military saints, Mother of God, etc.).