Byzantine Script Power explores the profound impact of writing and record-keeping on the thousand-year Byzantine Empire. It argues that script was not merely a tool, but a central force in shaping governance, solidifying faith, and enabling the empire's complex administration. The book delves into how imperial laws and legal codices, like the Corpus Juris Civilis, became symbols of authority. It also examines the creation and spread of religious texts and the meticulous record-keeping that facilitated centralized control, illustrating the deep connection between script and imperial power.
The book takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from legal history, religious studies, and public administration to offer a fresh perspective. By examining legal documents, illuminated manuscripts, and inscriptions, the study reveals new insights into scribal practices and textual culture. The book begins with an overview of Byzantine scriptoria and literacy, then progresses through the role of law, the intersection of script and faith, and finally the administrative uses of script, revealing how these written forms strengthened the empire.
