Byzantium, Venice and the Medieval Adriatic: Spheres of Maritime Power and Influence, c. 700-1453 (British School at Athens Studies in Greek Antiquity)

"The Adriatic has long occupied a liminal position between different cultures, languages and faiths. This book offers the first synthesis of its history between the seventh and the mid-fifteenth century, a period coinciding with the existence of the Byzantine Empire which, as heir to the Roman Empire, lay claim to the region. The period also saw the rise of Venice and it is important to understand the conditions which would lead to her dominance in the late Middle Ages. An international team of historians and archaeologists examines trade, administration and cultural exchange between the Adriatic and Byzantium but also within the region itself, and makes more widely known much previously scattered and localised research and the results of archaeological excavations in both Italy and Croatia. Their bold interpretations offer many stimulating ideas for rethinking the entire history of the Mediterranean during the period"-- Provided by publisher Contents 6 Figures and Maps 8 Tables 12 Contributors 13 Foreword 15 Acknowledgements 20 Note on Citation, Transliteration, Names, Titles and Dates 22 Introduction 26 1 The Adriatic Sea 500–1100 40 2 Thinking of Linking 70 3 A Winter Sea? 108 4 The Origins of Venice 123 5 The Northern Adriatic Area between the Eighth and the Ninth Century 136 6 Provincia Iadrensis 158 7 Ravenna and Other Early Rivals of Venice 198 8 Byzantine Apulia 213 9 From One Coast to Another and Beyond 228 10 Icons in the Adriatic before the Sack of Constantinople in 1204 270 11 The Rise of the Adriatic in the Age of the Crusades 301 12 Venice in the Twelfth Century 321 13 Venice, the Ionian Sea and the Southern Adriatic after the Fourth Crusade 341 14 Sea Power and the Evolution of Venetian Crusading 353 15 Reassessing the Venetian Presence in the Late Medieval Eastern Adriatic 376 16 ‘Strangers in the City?’ 390 Conclusion 410 Index 416 An international team of historians and archaeologists examines the textual sources and material evidence for trade and administration between the medieval Adriatic and Byzantium. They offer stimulating ideas concerning the entire Mediterranean and provide a better understanding of this important region before the heyday of Venice.