A NEW FRONTIER: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY INTO BYZANTINE STUDIES

Abstract

This article aims to trace the historical development of environmental history and its integration into Byzantine studies. It explores the reciprocal relationship between human societies and the environment throughout history, highlighting how human actions have shaped and been shaped by ecological processes. Beginning with an overview of environmental history's emergence as a distinct field in the late 20th century, the article examines the debates and challenges faced by early environmental historians in defining the scope and methodology of the discipline. It then focuses on the gradual incorporation of environmental perspectives into Byzantine scholarship, highlighting key themes such as climate history, human impacts on the environment, and cultural perceptions of nature. Through a multidisciplinary approach that combines historical analysis with insights from natural sciences, archaeology, and interdisciplinary theories, scholars have begun to uncover the complex interactions between Byzantine society and its natural surroundings. By interrogating historical sources and employing innovative methodologies, this article demonstrates the importance of integrating environmental perspectives into the study of Byzantine history and offers insights into future directions for research in this interdisciplinary field.