Interaction and Isolation in Late Byzantine Culture. Papers Read at a Colloquium Held at the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 1–5 December, 1999

Confined to the restricted area within the city walls of Constantinople, Byzantium of the Palaiologan period (1261-1453) had lost much of its earlier political authority. It displayed an increasing tendency to interact with the world outside: diminishing resources made the need for help and support ever more pressing. But, despite those limiting factors, the cultural achievements of the period are still remarkably impressive. The so-called Palaiologan renaissance was short-lived and lacked a sustainable foundation, but it inspired new developments even in areas outside Byzantium proper. Western Europe became a new source of inspiration, while the influence of antiquity now proved particularly powerful. Aspects of art, literature, philosophy, archaeology and music are all discussed by...