UCY lecture: Fortification Facades in Byzantium - Visual Messages and Symbolisms

Dates: 
8 March, 2010 - 21:30
Speaker(s): 
Dr. Nikolas Bakirtzis, STARC, The Cyprus Institute
Venue: 
Archaeological Research Unit, University of Cyprus, 12 Gladstone Street, Nicosia

The lecture will be delivered in Greek and it is part of the Spring Semester lecture series of the Archaeological Research Unit, University of Cyprus.

Abstract

Fortifications defined the Byzantine landscape. In addition to their crucial defensive role, fortified enclosures dominated every aspect of life.  In this way, their façades became an important component of Byzantine visual culture, reflecting both political and religious ideology. Walls, towers, and gateways were transformed into symbolic and practical billboards by inscriptions, monograms, crosses, spolia, and other decorative details. This talk will address aspects of this tradition in an attempt to 'read' the fabric of fortification façades in Byzantium.

For more information contact Irida Chrysafi, Archaeological Research Unit, Dept. of History and Archaeology, University of Cyprus Tel.: +357 22674658