Byzantium and Sasanian Persia: The Climate of the Near East in Late Antiquity, session at 28th International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, July 5–8, 2021

For centuries, the Roman and the Sasanian Empires battled it out in the Near East for dominance ideologically and physically. Frontiers expanded and retracted, with the two powers continuously interacting with one another throughout the third to seventh century.

But what were the political, and by extension diplomatic, military, geographic, and gendered climates that these two superpowers were living under? And how did they impact the Near East and the events that unfolded?

In keeping with the IMC 2021 theme of ‘climates’, papers are sought for a panel examining comparative and interdisciplinary approaches to the various climates between Byzantium and Sasanian Persia. The panel will focus on the geographical climate of the Near East, in particular on the interactions between Byzantium and Sasanian Persia. Papers for this panel should focus on the fifth to the seventh century.

Possible topics might include (but are not limited to):

• Political and diplomatic exchanges
• The ideological climate of Byzantium and Sasanian Persia
• Comparison of gender roles; their interaction and reception
• The military climate of the Near East
• The Geo-political climate of the Near East
• Foreign affairs and exchanges with Byzantium’s and Persia’s neighbours
• The geographic climate of the Near East

Session organizers
Sean Strong, Cardiff University
Domiziana Rossi, Cardiff University