The Roman and Sassanian Empires: Networks and Entanglements in the Late Antique Near East, session at the 2023 International Medieval Congress, University of Leeds, July 3–6, 2023

Interaction, Identities, and Networks were important ideas and concepts the Roman and Sassanian Empires needed to contend with during Late Antiquity. Between the third and seventh centuries, both empires engaged with one another, and their neighbours and clients, on these themes and were therefore, entangled through diplomatic missions, conflicting or assimilating ideologies, economic, cultural, and religious interactions, as well as military conflict.

In keeping with IMC's 2023 theme of 'Networks and Entanglements', papers are sought for a strand of panels examining comparative and interdisciplinary approaches to this year's theme in relation to the Roman and Sassanian Empires (3rd–7th Centuries).

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

• Political and Diplomatic Exchanges and Interactions
• Late Antique Practices of Networking in the Near East
• Trade Networks
• Military Networks and Relationships
• Networks and Entanglements with Neighbours and Clients
• Linguistic and Cultural Exchanges
• Global and Local Exchanges and Entanglements
• Gendered Networks: Relationships and Exchange
• Influences in Visual Exchange
• Material Culture: Identity, Exchange, and Interaction

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