The course consists of lectures, workshops & debates on the exciting contemporary issues that have helped shape within the context of problems of historical continuity and discontinuity in the developments of the great powers of antiquity (Hellenistic monarchies, Roman Empire) and subsequent imperial formations (Byzantium, Sasanian Persia, Arab Caliphates, Ottoman Turkey). In doing so it provides reflection of objective conditions, driving forces, concrete historical contexts, general patterns and specific features of the formation of imperial states in the pre-modern era, from classical antiquity to the early modern period. Specific topics investigated include historical characteristics of various models of empires and imperialism developed in certain environmental and geographical conditions and based on different ethnic, socio-cultural, religious and ideological grounds; ways to legitimize and exercise dominance, manage resources, peoples, and spaces, to reify imperial practices in legislation, administrative and political orders, in physical and symbolic violence. The central part of the course examines imperial identities, self-representation and self-awareness of empires, their perceptions "from within" and "from outside", from subordinate and external actors, in visual images, narratives and stereotypes; imperial (barbarian) periphery in its relations with imperial centers, cross-border influence of empires in politics, material and spiritual culture; "imperial" nations, natives, aliens, colonizers and invaders, resistance and cooperation; integration and infrastructure of empires: borders, land and sea routes, means of communication.
Besides, the special module focuses on the analytical reading of Ancient Greek and/or Latin texts reflecting imperial and national ideologies in the sociocultural practices of the Mediterranean powers.
The classes are conducted be the leading academics from both universities.
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