“It shows interdependency, and how connections and networks have been fundamental to economic success for hundreds and hundreds of years.” In this case, 1,400 years ago.
From the academic article: “We consider it most likely that the Byzantine silver fuelling the earliest northern European medieval coins was already available in a massive, but finite, reserve of bullion that had been imported and accumulated, probably during the sixth and early seventh centuries.” Very cool. @histodons
Detail of the dome of Palermo's Capella Palatina. The 12th c. chapel was constructed under the Norman king Roger II and probably employed artists from the Greek east.
This is my most viewed image on Fickr. A pov shot looking up towards the dome in the sanctuary of San Vitale in #Ravenna. Gives a good sense of the mosaic program. Over 11K views!
"Our analysis of 49 coins from the North Sea zone indicates that Byzantine silver plate was the source of silver for the initial minting of the first post-Roman silver coins in England, Frisia and parts of Francia. From c. AD 750, freshly mined silver from Melle, Aquitaine, was introduced to this North Sea zone, becoming the dominant source following the coinage reforms of AD 793."
Apse and sanctuary of the "double church" or "Church of Mary" at #Ephesus. It's believed that the Council of Ephesus was held here in 431. It was the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the #Theotokos