What can we learn from the Byzantines? 

We often think of history as the stories of emperors, patriarchs and intellectual elites – but what about the ordinary people? In the Byzantine Empire, power and hierarchy shaped society, yet individuals still found ways to navigate these structures, forge connections and adapt their world to their advantage. Sound familiar?

This lecture uncovers the hidden social world of the Byzantines - through stories, manuscripts, and objects – to reveal how they lived their lives. From social mobility to personal agency, their struggles and strategies might surprise you – and maybe offer a fresh perspective on our world today. 

Claudia Rapp FBA is Professor of Byzantine Studies at the University of Vienna and Director of the Institute for Medieval Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences. 

The British Academy Lectures are delivered by outstanding academics from across the world and showcase the best new research in humanities and social sciences.