This book offers the first analysis of female monasticism across the last three centuries of the Byzantine empire using Social Network Analysis (SNA). The present study analyzes and reconstructs the networks of Byzantine female monasteries as well as the geographical and spatial dimensions of monastic life, art, and literary production. Moreover, it reconstructs and represents the networks of specific female monastic individuals, female involvement in ecclesiastical controversies, and the complexity of patronage.

List of Illustrations

Abbreviations

Acknowledgements

Guide for the Reader

Introduction

Chapter 1. (Female) Monasticism: An Outline

Chapter 2. Female Monasteries in Late Byzantium: Foundation, Organization, and Networks

Chapter 3. Economic Networks of Female Monasteries

Chapter 4. Female Monastic Networks of Art and Knowledge

Chapter 5. Female Monasticism and the Church

Conclusions

Appendix 1. Lists of Nuns

Appendix 2. List of Nunneries

Bibliography

Index