This volume reflects the different methods and new approaches to the study of Byzantine history that have characterized the work of Paul Speck, to whom it is dedicated, and above all, his insistence on a close reading and careful interpretation of the sources. These aims are encapsulated in the introduction by John Haldon, which gives a sense of where future studies should lead new generations of scholars. The following studies, by many of the leading authorities in their fields, look at a whole range of aspects of the history of Byzantium - its culture, theology, linguistics, literature, historiography, sigillography and art - and at the place of the Byzantine empire within the late antique and medieval worlds.

For several years now, sigillography as an independent subarea in the field of Byzantine studies has received increasing attention from both Byzantine studies and related disciplines, because it is the only area still able to provide academia with large amounts of material not previously analysed. The articles of Studies in Byzantine Sigillography deal with all aspects of Byzantine sigillography: presentation of new finds, discussion of new methods, questions of the political and ecclesiastical administration of Byzantinum, prosopography, historical geography, and art historical and iconographical problems. In addition, the volumes contain a loosely arranged list of Byzantine seals, which have been published in essays and auction catalogues, thus enabling those from more obscure publications to be located and identified.

For several years now, sigillography as an independent subarea in the field of Byzantine studies has received increasing attention from both Byzantine studies and related disciplines, because it is the only area still able to provide academia with large amounts of material not previously analysed. The articles of Studies in Byzantine Sigillography deal with all aspects of Byzantine sigillography: presentation of new finds, discussion of new methods, questions of the political and ecclesiastical administration of Byzantinum, prosopography, historical geography, and art historical and iconographical problems.

Sigillography is an independent subject within Byzantine studies. As such, it also has garnered the interest of adjacent disciplines because it offers plenty of yet undiscovered material for research and study. A series that focuses on sigillography in particular is Studies in Byzantine Sigillography, established in 1987 by Nikolas Oikonomides and published in Dumbarton Oaks, Washington D.C.
The K.G. Saur Verlag in Munich will continue the series with Volume 8. Contributions deal with all aspects of Byzantine sigillography: presentation of new finds, discussion of new methods, questions regarding Byzantine political and church administration, prosopography, historical geography, art historical and iconographic problems. In addition, the volume will contain lists of Byzantine seals that were published in articles and auction catalogues. In this way, out-of-the-way publications will be accessible and traceable.
Volume 8 includes the years 1996 to 2001. It is mainly composed of papers delivered at the 7th International Colloquium on Byzantine Sigillography, held in Paris in august 2001 on the occasion of the 20th International Congress of Byzantine Studies.

For several years now, sigillography as an independent subject in the field of Byzantine studies, has received increasing attention from both Byzantine studies and related disciplines, because it is the only area still able to provide plenty of yet undiscovered material for research and study. The articles deal with all aspects of Byzantine sigillography: presentation of new finds, discussion of new methods, questions of the political and ecclesiastical administration of Byzantinum, prosopography, historical geography, and art historical and iconographical problems. In addition, the volumes contain a loosely arranged list of Byzantine seals, which have been published in essays and auction catalogues, thus enabling those from more obscure publications to be located and identified. Volume 9, currently in preparation, mainly contains lectures from the 8th International Symposium on Byzantine Sigillography held in October 2003, in Berlin. Besides the iconography of seals, much emphasis was placed on questions of Byzantine administration. Further, selected collections are presented, as well as a large number of new finds and new acquisitions.

The papers assembled in this volume are devoted to various aspects of cross-cultural encounter between medieval Serbia and the Byzantine Empire. The volume includes case studies addressing art-historical, architectural and numismatic questions, as well as critical discussions of traditional historiographies which demonstrate the need for a reassessment of established scholarly opinions and methodologies. The volume aims at embedding medieval Serbia in a broader historical landscape beyond ideological boundaries.

Das Buch befasst sich mit Kaiser Michael IX. Palaiologos, der in der Literatur bisher kaum beachtet, sondern als "Mitkaiser" ohne selbststandige Funktionen gesehen wurde. Helga Gickler untersucht die Grunde dafur. Die abwertende lateinische UEbersetzung des Historiographen Pachymeres, der wahrscheinlich Michaels Lehrer war, beeinflusste viele neuzeitliche Historiker. Als Feldherr agierte Michael voellig eigenstandig und propagierte Freiwilligenheere. Er war jedoch 1302-03 gegen die osmanischen Heere im Westen Kleinasiens und 1303-05 gegen die Katalanische Kompanie in Thrakien erfolglos. Seine Prasenz in der Epigraphik und in der Munzpragung unterstreicht seine Bedeutung. Sein ploetzlicher Tod wird als Giftmord durch seinen Sohn Andronikos III. gedeutet.