In the upcoming (XXIV) issue, Porphyra will return to a thematic focus. Two-thirds of the articles will be related  to the issue’s main topic, while the rest will be on generic themes from within Byzantine Studies. Authors are thereby invited to submit papers either on the given theme or on another topic of their choice. Approaches can range from a variety of fields and disciplines such as history, theology, literature, archaeology, anthropology, and art history. The (XXIV) issue is entitled: “Byzantium and the ‘Others’”.

The Byzantine Empire during its millennia of history was subjected to various forms of foreign influence. The Byzantine Empire bordered Persia, Armenia, and many different tribes beyond the Danube River which induced, to various extents, a cultural osmosis between these groups, either through armed or peaceful interactions. Although the assimilation of external cultural and military elements ran against the official state ideology, a passive and active ethnogenesis with people from outside the imperial borders nonetheless took place. In this context, “the others” include: peoples outside of the border (like the Persians), peoples inside of the border of foreign ethnicities (like the Germans and Armenians), and peoples of different religions and denominations. The relationship between Byzantium and “the Others” can be addressed from different angles, at various stages and periods.

Papers may be submitted in English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Modern Greek.

Porphyra is the first Italian on-line magazine to focus exclusively on Byzantium. Founded in 2003 by Nicola Bergamo, it is currently one of tha many ways through which the Associazione Culturale Bisanzio fosters and promotes Byzantine history, culture and civilization.