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The Middle Byzantine period (8th-12th cc.) was characterised by a number of changes. The western part of the Byzantine Empire was lost for ever, and the state thus became more homogenous. The large Early Christian cities gradually shrank in size or were abandoned, owing to the economic crisis provoked by enemy invasions, epidemics, and earthquakes. In their place there appeared fortified towns in the form of castles. The Church underwent a major crisis in the eighth and ninth centuries with Iconoclasm, the emperors' antimonastic policy, and the legislative measures against Church and monastery property. Once the crisis was over, however, monasticism flourished.
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Room 4: From Iconoclasm to the
splendour of the Macedonian and Komnenian
dynasties
The iconoclastic movement, that is, the
abolishment of icons, which was convulsing
the empire for two centuries (8th-9th),
had social and political implications. The
times following its end (10th-12th cc.),
during which came to rule the imperial
dynasties of the Macedones and the
Komnenoi, were a spiritual and artistic
high point, which exerted a powerful
cultural and political influence on the
then known world, especially the Balkan
peoples.
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In this exhibition, archaeological material,
labels, and wall panels illustrate and comment on
such subjects as Iconoclasm, the architecture,
painting, and sculpture of Middle Byzantine
churches, monasticism, the conversion of the Slavs
to Christianity by Cyril and Methodios, two brothers
from Thessaloniki, cemeteries, ceramics, lead seals,
and coins.
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Closure slab,10th c. |
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Imaginary and real animals are very common subjects in the decoration of Middle Byzantine closure slabs. They occupy the entire surface, either in confronted pairs or in scenes in which wild beasts or birds of prey attack other animals.
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Relief icon of the Virgin orans, 11th c. |
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Relief marble icons of holy figures reflecting classical influences are a typical creation of the Middle Byzantine period after Iconoclasm.
They were expensive works, manufactured in
great cities like Constantinople and
Thessaloniki.
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Pilgrim ampulla, 12th-13th c. |
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Pilgrim ampullae are vessels of clay or lead in which pilgrims carried the aromatic oil (myrrh) which they acquired from the cult centres of saints from whose relics myrrh was believed to flow, such as St Demetrios and St Theodora of Thessaloniki.
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Gold bracelets with enamel decoration, 9th-11th cc. |
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Such costly items of jewellery, which were worn by women, reflect the splendour and the luxury of the imperial court and the aristocracy. |
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