6th International Scientific Symposium “DAYS OF JUSTINIAN I”, Special Thematic Strand: State and Empire, Ohrid, November 23–24, 2018

The International scientific symposium “Days of Justinian I” is an annual interdisciplinary scholarly forum aimed at the presentation of the latest research followed by discussions on various aspects of Byzantine and Medieval Studies, that include the treatment and interpretation of cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in contemporary Europe. The Symposium is dedicated to Emperor Justinian I with the aim to address a broad range of issues related to Byzantium and the European Middle Ages, comprising the exploration of the cultural and historical legacy as an integrative component of the diversities and commonalities of Unified Europe.

This years’ special thematic focus State and Empire is inspired by the 1000th anniversary of the fall of the Samuel’s State and the Ohrid Archbishopric. The association of the city of Ohrid with the Samuel’s State and the Ohrid Archbishopric, predetermined the decision for organizing the 6th edition of “Days of Justinian I” in the UNESCO world heritage site. The city of Ohrid provides additional symbolism with Justinian I, considering that the Byzantine emperor and his Archbishopric Justiniana Prima are incorporated in the traditions of the Ohrid Archbishopric. Thus, apart from traditionally connecting Skopje-Bologna-Ravenna, “Days of Justinian I” this year will link the city of Ohrid, which reflects its key objective for integrating the European cultural and historical heritage and the scholars throughout the world.

The scholars will exchange their latest research and share the ideas on the historical phenomena of the State and Empire. The various issues will be explored related to the nature of the state, the state-building processes in the Middle Ages, the concept of the empire, the relationships between the states and empires. The fundamental problems of definition of the state and empire in Byzantine and Medieval World will be tackled and addressed within wider contexts and contemporary approaches.

Papers are welcomed on various topics that may include, but are not limited to the following areas of discussion:

• State formation in the Middle Ages
• Byzantine Empire: Multiethnic or nation-state?
• Empires and Barbarians
• Rise and fall of the Empires
• Civilization and Empire
• Byzantium and hierarchy of states
• Imperial Ideology and political propaganda
• Imperial Geographies and State frontiers
• Emperor and imperial governance
• Law and the State
• State and Society
• State and ethnicity
• State and identity
• Myth and the State
• Church and State
• Heretics, heresies and the Medieval State
• Historiography of the State
• Medieval traditions and the concept of the modern state
• Literary Receptions of the Middle Ages
• Byzantine art and imperial program
• Medieval visual and material culture
• Medieval Music
• Cultural heritage: Interpretation, restoration and protection

Organised by Institute of National History, Skopje University of Bologna, Euro-Balkan University, Skopje

The working languages of the conference are Macedonian and English.

First deadline for submission: August 10, 2018