The Society offers an annual book prize for the best single- or co-authored (two or more authors) book published in English on any topic in Byzantine Studies.
The SPBS has 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 – including, but not limited to, Coptic, Georgian, Syriac, Armenian, Arabic and Slavic, as well as Greek and Latin.
To be eligible for the competition, the book must have been published (printed) in the previous year (for 2026, the book must have been published in 2025; for 2027, the book must have been published in 2026). Only printed books are eligible and no edited volumes or contributions to edited volumes or collected studies, exhibition catalogues or journal special issues can be considered.
The competition is international and open to all SPBS members. A statement of current membership is required with each submission. To join or renew, go to https://www.byzantium.ac.uk/join-our-society/
Prize: £500 to a single author or £500 split equally between co-authors
Deadline: December 31st of each year
To enter:
Entry is by self-nomination. Please send a copy of your book (or ask your publisher to send) and a covering note (no more than 1 side of A4, explaining why you feel your book should be considered) to the Chair of the Book Prize Committee.
This is currently:
Professor Shaun Tougher,
Chair SPBS Book Prize
School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Cardiff University
John Percival Building
Cardiff
CF10 3EU
to whom any inquiries should be sent.
The prize will normally be chaired by the Chair of the Publications Committee and judged by a Committee made up of the previous year’s winner; a VP of the Society; a member of the Executive of the Society. Members will serve for three years, except for the Chair who holds the role throughout their time as Publications Committee Chair.
Committee: Shaun Tougher (Chair, 2027); Leslie Brubaker (VP, 2028); Vicky Manopoulou (Exec)