The YSC HAEMUS online seminar seeks to facilitate a discussion that, grounded in the latest research and ongoing investigations, can aid in identifying the primary characteristics and phenomena that defined the Balkan Peninsula from the 3rd to the 8th century. Depending on the starting point of view adopted for such a task, this period has been defined as Late Antique, Late Roman, Early Christian and Early Byzantine era. Taking into account the distinctive features of this historical period, as defined in the major epistemological works on the matter, and recognizing the elements of rupture and continuity from the previous era, the debate will propose answers to the following questions:

• What means Late Antique / Late Roman / Early Christian / Early Byzantine in the Balkans? (Viz. how these definitions are generally used in studies devoted to the Peninsula.)

• These formulas are to be accepted as simple synonyms for Late Antique or the latter is to be considered a precise definition for a peculiar period? 3. What makes the Balkans specific and what makes it an integral part of the Empire between the 3rd and the 8th century?

Each presentation (c. 20 minutes) will be followed by a small discussion (c. 10 minutes).

Topics

This seminar will be multidisciplinary, relying on any kind of testimonies available in the fields of history, archaeology and art history. Among the themes for which discussion are encouraged, we can mention (but not exclusively):

• Historiography
• Epigraphy
• Numismatics
• Topography
• Iconography
• Administration
• Urban development
• Military organisation
• Religion
• Migrations

How to apply

This call for papers welcomes presentations from PhD students or Postdocs who have defended their PhD dissertation within the past 5 years.
The best papers will be offered to publish in The Chronicles of Haemus online peer-reviewed journal.

The title of the paper, an abstract (200-400 words) and 5 keywords can be sent to haemusyoungscholars@gmail.com by the 15th of October 2025.

Presentations may be in English and in French.

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