Secular Byzantine Women

<p><em>Secular Byzantine Women</em> examines female material culture during the Late Roman Byzantine and Post-Byzantine eras to better understand the lives of ordinary and humble women during this period. </p><p>Although recent scholarship has contributed greatly to our knowledge of Byzantine and medieval women such research has largely focused on female saints imperial figures and prominent women of local communities. But what about secular and non-privileged women? Bringing together scholars from various fields including archaeology history theology anthropology and ethnography this volume seeks to answer this important question. The chapters examine the everyday lives of lay women including their working routines their clothing and precious possessions. </p><p>This book will appeal to scholars and students of Byzantine history art and archaeology as well as those interested in gender and material culture studies. </p>