History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps

Mathematics and the sciences in Byzantium, focusing on scholars of the Palaiologan period like Blemmydes and Metochites.

Historian Judith Herrin joins us to talk about competition and mutual influence between Islam and Byzantium.

Intellectual exchange between Christians and Muslims, and the later flowering of Syriac literature including the philosopher Bar Hebraeus.

The Neoplatonist Proclus gets mixed reviews from Christians, as Nicholas of Methone refutes him but the Georgian philosopher Ioane Petritsi helps to revive his thought. 

Peter's Munich colleague Oliver Primavesi tells us how Greek manuscripts are used to establish the text of authors like Aristotle. 

Without handwritten copies produced by Byzantine scribes, we would know almost nothing about ancient philosophy. How and why were they made?

Legal and economic thought in Byzantium: the sources of the law’s authority, the relation of church and civil law, just price, and just war.

The role of women in Byzantine society and the complex attitudes surrounding eunuchs: did they make up a “third gender”?

A chat about commentaries on Aristotle from Byzantium with guest Katerina Ierodiakonou.

Princess Anna Komnene makes good use of her political retirement by gathering a circle of scholars to write commentaries on Aristotle.

The larger meaning of history in the chronicles written by Michael Psellos, Michael Attaleiates, Anna Komnene, and Niketas Choniates.

Psellos and other experts in rhetoric explore how this art of persuasion relates to philosophy.

Byzantine political thought from the time of Justinian down to the Palaiologos dynasty wrestles with the nature and scope of imperial power.

The trial of John Italos and other signs of Byzantine disquiet with the pagan philosophical tradition.

Dominic O'Meara speaks to Peter about Michael Psellos, focusing especially on his political philosophy.

Michael Psellos and his attitude towards pagan philosophy and the political life.

Peter's twin brother Glenn Adamson discusses the philosophical implications of craft.

Photius, “the inventor of the book review,” and other Byzantine scholars who preserved ancient learning.

Peter is joined by Andrew Louth for a discussion of John of Damascus and his theological use of philosophy.

John of Damascus helps to shape the Byzantine understanding of humankind and the veneration of images, despite living in Islamic territory.

Is it idolatry to venerate an icon of a saint, or of Christ? The dispute leads the Byzantines to ponder the relation between an image and its object.

Eastern Christian philosophy outside of Constantinople, focusing on translation and exegesis in the languages of Syriac and Armenian.

We begin to look at the third tradition of medieval philosophy, in which the heritage of classical antiquity is preserved and debated by the Byzantines.

Peter King, Catarina Dutilh Novaes, and Russ Friedman discuss their approaches to medieval philosophy, and its contemporary relevance.

Rachel Barney, Christof Rapp, and Mark Kalderon join Peter to discuss the importance of ancient philosophy for today's philosophers.