Macquarie University, Sydney, July 19-21 2019 Keynote speakers:
Professor David Olster (University of Kentucky) Associate Professor Jitse
Dijkstra (University of Ottawa)

The Byzantine empire was rarely a stable and harmonious state during its
long and eventful history.  It was often in strife with those outside its
borders and with those within them, and with so much power invested in its
political and ecclesiastical structures it was ready to implode at times.
This could result in persecution and the silencing of dissident voices from
various quarters of society.  The mechanisms by which the authorities
controlled civil disorder and dissent, as well as discouraging criticism of
imperial policies, could be brutal at times.  In what sense was it
possible, if at all, to enjoy freedom of speech and action in Byzantium?
Was the law upheld or ignored when vested interests were at stake?  How
vulnerable did minorities feel and how conformist was religious belief at
the end of the day?  The theme of the conference aims to encourage
discussion on a number fronts relating to the use and abuse of power within
the history of Byzantium.  Individual papers of 20 mins or panels (3
papers) will be accepted. See full call for papers at
http://www.aabs.org.au/conferences/20th/.

Abstracts of 500 words should be emailed to the President of AABS, Dr Ken
Parry: conference@aabs.org.au by the due date of 7 January 2019.  Panel
convenors should outline briefly their theme (100 words), and (a) add all
three abstracts to their application, or (b) list the three speakers on
their panel with their own abstract, plus (c) nominate a chairperson.
Panelists should indicate clearly the title of their proposed panel if
submitting their abstracts individually.