Icons and architecture tell the story of the Byzantine Empire and Kievan Rus'—two medieval states whose legacies are still contested today
Dr. Evan Freeman
The stories behind the art—a quick guide for understanding Byzantium's most common images.
The lives of Christ and the Virgin ...
a powerful Byzantine court official builds himself a dazzling burial chapel
Picturing salvation — Chora’s brilliant Byzantine mosaics ...
The Byzantines kept adding mosaics to Hagia Sophia for centuries after it was first built, reflecting recent controversies, monetary donations, and even imperial marriages.
A work in progress: Middle Byzantine mosaics ...
Learn why the Byzantines argued about images for over a century.
Byzantine Iconoclasm and the Triumph of Orthodoxy
Explore the tiny pieces of gold, glass, and colorful stones that compose the miniature mosaics of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine miniature mosaics
This mosaic shows how the arts—and an interest in naturalism—flourished in the final centuries of the Byzantine Empire.
Late Byzantine naturalism: Hagia Sophia’s Deësis mosaic
Learn why the Byzantines argued about images for over a century.
Byzantine Iconoclasm and the Triumph of Orthodoxy
What is an icon?—introducing the sacred images of Byzantium
Icons, an introduction
You've heard of Byzantium's golden mosaics, but what about its dramatic frescoes?
Byzantine frescoes at Saint Panteleimon, Nerezi
The stories behind the art—a quick guide for understanding Byzantium's most common images.
The lives of Christ and the Virgin ...
Constantine renamed the new capital of the Roman Empire “Constantinople” and the Byzantine Empire was born—or was it?
About the chronological periods of the Byzantine ...
These glittering mosaics offered Byzantine worshippers a vision of God in the heavens, sacred history, and the saints.
Mosaics and microcosm: the monasteries of Hosios ...
This Byzantine mosaic shows the personification of the act of generous giving — Ktisis
Byzantine Mosaic of a Personification, Ktisis
An Early Byzantine sculpture of a woman with a scroll at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Woman with Scroll
A panel with a Griffin (a lion and an eagle — the king of birds and the king of animals — combined).
Byzantine Griffin Panel
A sumptuous silver and gold chalice starring a youthful Christ, a saint slaying a dragon (could it be George?), and more.
A chalice from the Attarouthi Treasure
From the Annunciation to the Last Judgment, this handy guide explains key moments in Christian art.
The life of Christ in medieval and ...
From the Annunciation to the Last Judgment, this handy guide explains key moments in Christian art.
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