Byzantine women and their world : [exhibition organized by the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, on view october 25, 2002 - april 28, 2003

This beautiful book explores the representation of women in the Byzantine Empire. Featuring nearly two hundred works of art, the volume illustrates how women in Byzantium were represented in both material and literary culture and explores the continuities and changes in their lives throughout the era. The featured artworks—gathered from premier collections in North America—date from the fourth through the fifteenth century and represent a full range of media and subject matter. They include luxury objects such as ivories, silver vessels, and precious jewelry; utilitarian objects such as toiletries and weaving tools; official objects such as coins and seals; and ritual objects such as icons and amulets. Organized in two broad categories—women in the public sphere and women in the private sphere—these works of art and objects of everyday life illustrate the diverse roles of women in Byzantine society and offer a view of their personal and public lives. Introductory essays by leading Byzantinists Ioli Kalavrezou and Angeliki Laiou offer further insights into these themes. This Book Accompanies The First Exhibition To Explore The Lives Of Byzantine Women Through Their Representation In Material And Literary Culture. It Features Nearly Two Hundred Works Of Art Gathered From Premier Collections In North America By The Organizers At Harvard University's Arthur M. Sackler Museum.--book Jacket. Women In The Visual Record Of Byzantium / Ioli Kalavrezou -- Women In The History Of Byzantium / Angeliki E. Laiou -- Civic Life: Women As Embodiments Of Civic Life / Elizabeth A. Gittings -- Elite Women: Dignity, Power, And Piety / Elizabeth A. Gittings -- Public Devotion: The Virgin Of Constantinople; Power And Belief / Bissera V. Pentcheva -- Work: The Art And Craft Of Earning A Living / Molly Fulghum Heintz -- Home: A Space Rich In Blessing / Alicia Walker -- Marriage: Wife And Husband; A Golden Team / Alicia Walker -- Adornment: Enhancing The Body, Neglecting The Soul? / Alicia Walker -- Health: Magic, Medicine, And Prayer / Molly Fulghum Heintz. Ioli Kalavrezou ; With Contributions By Angeliki E. Laiou ... [et Al.]. Published In Conjunction With An Exhibition Organized By The Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Harvard University Art Museums, On View October 25, 2002-april 28, 2003--t.p. Verso. Maps On Lining Papers. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 313-326) And Index. Director's Foreword 7 Preface and Acknowledgments 8 Lenders to the Exhibition 1O Contributing Authors / Notes on the Catalogue 11 Women in the Visual Record of Byzantium - Ioli Kalavrezou 13 Women in the History of Byzantium - Angeliki E. Laiou 23 CATALOGUE OF THE EXHIBITION Women as Embodiments of Civic Life - Elizabeth A. Gittings 35 Dignity, Power, and Piety - Elizabeth A. Gittings 67 The Virgin of Constantinople: Power and Belief - Bissera V. Pentcheva 113 The Art and Craft of Earning a Living - Molly Fulghum Heintz 139 A Space “Rich in Blessing” - Alicia Walker 161 Wife and Husband: “A Golden Team” - Alicia Walker 215 Enhancing the Body, Neglecting the Soul? - Alicia Walker 233 Magic, Medicine, and Prayer - Molly Fulghum Heintz 275 Appendix: Byzantine Empresses 306 Bibliography 313 Index 327 Illustration Credits 335 A cursory glance at the Byzantine world would show women as illiterate, excluded from prominent political roles and second class citizens when compared to the positions and power held by men. Aside from the female members of the aristocracy, ordinary women are often incidental in both the literature and art of the period. This book and the exhibition that it accompanied attempt to highlight the lives of these ordinary women, discussing their daily activities, their role in civic life, their piety, marriage, wifely and motherly duties, their role as healers and carers. Almost 200 objects, dating from the 4th to 15th century, from collections in North America, accompany the thematic essays, including personal items, luxury goods, utilitarian objects, religious and 'official' objects.