Welcome

The Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies (SPBS) was established in 1983, with the object of furthering study and knowledge of the history and culture, language and literature of the Byzantine Empire and its neighbours.

Its scope is wide, covering history, archaeology, art history, philology, theology and literary studies, and embraces all the language areas formerly within the Byzantine Empire – Syriac, Armenian, Arabic and Slavic, as well as Greek and Latin.

The Society’s world-wide membership is drawn from the interested public as well as practising academics: no professional qualifications are required. The executive of the SPBS also serves as the UK National Committee of the Association Internationale des Études Byzantines (AIEB).

Latest News

John H. Pryor

It is with great sadness that we pass on the news that John H. Pryor, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at Sydney University, passed away early on Tuesday March 24th. Professor Pryor’s son Sean has indicated that although his father’s death was somewhat sudden, he had been unwell for a long time. Nonetheless, John Pryor …

ÖBG-SPBS Joint Lecture

The Sinai Library as a Depository Unveiling Interactions and Connections Through Manuscripts Dr. Giulia Rossetto (University of Vienna) Response: Prof. Liz James (University of Sussex – online)  Institut für Byzantinistik und Neogräzistik der Universität Wien Postgasse 9, 2. Stock, Hörsaal (barrierefreier Zugang über Schönlaterngasse 12 – Lift) Montag, 12.5.2025, 18:30 (CET) https://univienna.zoom.us/j/66523988149?pwd=WjTaSg0BFsG3ataTJMZCk5aYSyRafa.1   The Greek …

Transmitting and Preserving Languages in the Medieval and Early Modern Mediterranean

Date: 5th June 2025  Venue: Balliol College, Gillis Lecture Theatre and Massey Room (Oxford OX1 3BJ) & online   Convenors: Daniel Gallaher and Ugo Mondini (University of Oxford) The workshop explores how and why languages were taught, learned, and sustained across the diverse and shifting socio-cultural landscapes of the late medieval and early modern Mediterranean. Integrating …