Silk, Culture and Being in Byzantium: How far did Precious Clothe Enrich “Memory” and Shape “Culture” Across the Empire (4th-15th centuries)?
Abstract
The article investigates the relationship of “culture” to “being” and “memory” as expressed on Byzantine silks of the 4th-15th centuries. The method used to explore the silks includes application of contemporary material culture theory. This allows analysis of how messages about political ideology, religious belief and social norms were embedded in the silks and then how these messages were communicated via ceremonial and ritual enactment. The overall impression given by the silks is that they were an important tool for cultural tradition transmission and that their prime purpose was to en- hance the image of Byzantium at home and abroad, as a well ordered and idealised Christian Empire.
Article Details
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MYTHESIUS, A. (2016). Silk, Culture and Being in Byzantium: How far did Precious Clothe Enrich “Memory” and Shape “Culture” Across the Empire (4th-15th centuries)?. Deltion of the Christian Archaeological Society, 36, 345–362. https://doi.org/10.12681/dchae.1793
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