The Medieval Household: A Multidisciplinary Approach, workshop at the XXIV International Conference of Byzantine Studies, Venice/Padua, August 22–27, 2022

This panel seeks papers that examine domestic aspects of daily life in rural areas and urban contexts during the medieval period. Here, the medieval period is defined broadly, from the end of Late Antiquity to the beginning of the Ottoman period. The goal is to establish a dialogue between disciplines (anthropology, archaeology, history, art history, etc.) and through diverse theoretical and methodological approaches; also, to seek comparisons between different regions of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Some of the questions that the panel would like to address are:

• How can we answer questions about daily life and work conditions in the medieval household and community?
• What is the role of material and textual sources in the study of household activities and the domestic context?
• How much progress has been made in understanding household activities through the study of material remains in particular?
• What does the study of households reveal about prevailing economic and social conditions? 

This panel will offer an opportunity to evaluate the state of the field and establish parameters for future research.

Please send a short abstract (300 words) of your paper along with contact information to the organizers by April 1st, 2021.

Organizers
Effie Athanassopoulos (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Fotini Kondyli (University of Virginia)