Madeleine
@empressofbyzantium.bsky.social
Dealer in digital artefacts of Byzantium. Writer of invective and diatribe. Unapologetic Theodora stan. DPhil Candidate in History at Oxford. OUBS President 2025/6.
Making Byzantium Great Again!
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
Making Byzantium Great Again!
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
Pinned
Madeleine
@empressofbyzantium.bsky.social
· Apr 14
Byzantium for Beginners
Part I: My Roman Empire.
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
For the Byzanto-curious, my latest #substack introduces my new, weekly series #ByzantiumforBeginners! Check it out if you want to read a rant abt #Byzantium & follow along for adventures into the weird world of the Eastern Roman Empire.
#history empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
#history empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Just 6 days left to apply to the 28th OUBS Graduate Conference! Full CfP is on the OUBS website!! Get those abstracts in!! #byzantium #byzantinestudies #oxford #graduatestudent #cfp #callforpapers #abstracts
November 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Just 6 days left to apply to the 28th OUBS Graduate Conference! Full CfP is on the OUBS website!! Get those abstracts in!! #byzantium #byzantinestudies #oxford #graduatestudent #cfp #callforpapers #abstracts
If you’re a #graduatestudent looking to present at an informal, fun #conference then the OUBS conference is for you!!
Share far & wide!
#history #historicalresearch #oxforduniversity #doctoralstudent #mastersstudent #byzantinehistory #lateantiquity
Share far & wide!
#history #historicalresearch #oxforduniversity #doctoralstudent #mastersstudent #byzantinehistory #lateantiquity
28th OUBS INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CONFERENCE - Call for Papers
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
November 20, 2025 at 12:40 PM
If you’re a #graduatestudent looking to present at an informal, fun #conference then the OUBS conference is for you!!
Share far & wide!
#history #historicalresearch #oxforduniversity #doctoralstudent #mastersstudent #byzantinehistory #lateantiquity
Share far & wide!
#history #historicalresearch #oxforduniversity #doctoralstudent #mastersstudent #byzantinehistory #lateantiquity
Reposted by Madeleine
Reading @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social's recent post about Theodora convinced me I need to read The Secret History.
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Reading @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social's recent post about Theodora convinced me I need to read The Secret History.
Wonderful but rainy trip up to Norwich to present at the #ChaseMEMRN 2025 Winter Conference. Fantastic panels & brilliantly pulled off by the organising team. Can’t wait for next year’s, when I’ll make sure it’s less of a whistle stop journey. #byzantinehistory #academic #academia
November 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Wonderful but rainy trip up to Norwich to present at the #ChaseMEMRN 2025 Winter Conference. Fantastic panels & brilliantly pulled off by the organising team. Can’t wait for next year’s, when I’ll make sure it’s less of a whistle stop journey. #byzantinehistory #academic #academia
The OUBS has already received some great submissions… keep sending them in! Until November 29th!! Graduate students at all stages of study & independent scholars are welcome to send in their abstracts! 🫵🏼🫵🏼
28th OUBS INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CONFERENCE - Call for Papers
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The OUBS has already received some great submissions… keep sending them in! Until November 29th!! Graduate students at all stages of study & independent scholars are welcome to send in their abstracts! 🫵🏼🫵🏼
Please sign & share widely!
The #UniversityofOttawa has abruptly cut admissions for its #Greek & #Roman studies programme. This will end teaching of #Greek & #Latin at the university, with no consultation with staff, students, or the community impacted.
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
The #UniversityofOttawa has abruptly cut admissions for its #Greek & #Roman studies programme. This will end teaching of #Greek & #Latin at the university, with no consultation with staff, students, or the community impacted.
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
Sign the Petition
Save Greek and Latin at the University of Ottawa!
www.change.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Please sign & share widely!
The #UniversityofOttawa has abruptly cut admissions for its #Greek & #Roman studies programme. This will end teaching of #Greek & #Latin at the university, with no consultation with staff, students, or the community impacted.
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
The #UniversityofOttawa has abruptly cut admissions for its #Greek & #Roman studies programme. This will end teaching of #Greek & #Latin at the university, with no consultation with staff, students, or the community impacted.
www.change.org/p/save-greek...
Happy Byzantoween!!! I posted about some spoooooky & *phrike* Late Antique & Byzantine stuff over on Substack… check it out — if you dare!
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/getting-ph...
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/getting-ph...
Getting φρίκη (phrikē)
Some spoooooky Late Antique & Byzantine finds
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Happy Byzantoween!!! I posted about some spoooooky & *phrike* Late Antique & Byzantine stuff over on Substack… check it out — if you dare!
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/getting-ph...
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/getting-ph...
Calling all Late Antiquist Byzantinist or interdisciplinary friends!
All graduate students are welcome to submit an abstract for the OUBS’ 2026 conference: DECLINE AND FLOURISH.
I’m SO excited to be organising this. Please share widely! Cannot wait to read submissions. ❤️❤️
All graduate students are welcome to submit an abstract for the OUBS’ 2026 conference: DECLINE AND FLOURISH.
I’m SO excited to be organising this. Please share widely! Cannot wait to read submissions. ❤️❤️
28th OUBS INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CONFERENCE - Call for Papers
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
Decline and Flourish: new Paradigms of Decline and Renewal in Late Antiquity and Byzantium.
Find the full CfP here! oxfordbyzantinesociety.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/2...
Submit your abstracts by Nov 29th - we can't wait to see them. 🦅
October 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Calling all Late Antiquist Byzantinist or interdisciplinary friends!
All graduate students are welcome to submit an abstract for the OUBS’ 2026 conference: DECLINE AND FLOURISH.
I’m SO excited to be organising this. Please share widely! Cannot wait to read submissions. ❤️❤️
All graduate students are welcome to submit an abstract for the OUBS’ 2026 conference: DECLINE AND FLOURISH.
I’m SO excited to be organising this. Please share widely! Cannot wait to read submissions. ❤️❤️
As ever Ben is being the coolest & nicest.
If you’re not listening to his pod yet you’re probably (definitely) missing out.
If you’re not listening to his pod yet you’re probably (definitely) missing out.
If you haven't subscribed to Empress of Byzantium, you should. There's a post up about Theodora. This is a great history of Byzantium or the Roman Empire or Romanland or whatever term you want to use. @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social
October 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
As ever Ben is being the coolest & nicest.
If you’re not listening to his pod yet you’re probably (definitely) missing out.
If you’re not listening to his pod yet you’re probably (definitely) missing out.
😇😇😇
⭐ Meet the 2025/6 Committee! ⭐
Starting with our new President, Madeleine Duperouzel, a 2nd year DPhil student in History. Her research interests include women in the Late Antique countryside, papyri, visual & material culture, and she thinks everyone needs to go see the mosaics at Piazza Armerina.
Starting with our new President, Madeleine Duperouzel, a 2nd year DPhil student in History. Her research interests include women in the Late Antique countryside, papyri, visual & material culture, and she thinks everyone needs to go see the mosaics at Piazza Armerina.
October 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
😇😇😇
Reposted by Madeleine
OUBS Member Dr. Chloé Agar has recently been involved in 2 great digital humanities projects: creating an archive of Egyptian graffiti and contributing to the Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity database. Have a gander below!
portal.sds.ox.ac.uk/Graffiti_Gaz...
csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?r...
portal.sds.ox.ac.uk/Graffiti_Gaz...
csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?r...
September 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
OUBS Member Dr. Chloé Agar has recently been involved in 2 great digital humanities projects: creating an archive of Egyptian graffiti and contributing to the Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity database. Have a gander below!
portal.sds.ox.ac.uk/Graffiti_Gaz...
csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?r...
portal.sds.ox.ac.uk/Graffiti_Gaz...
csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?r...
Reposted by Madeleine
Caught up on Empress of Byzantium's articles this morning. @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social
August 29, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Caught up on Empress of Byzantium's articles this morning. @empressofbyzantium.bsky.social
Very appropriate word of the day from the TLG: συγχωνεύω / “to melt down.”
Not inspired by any current events, I’m sure!
Not inspired by any current events, I’m sure!
June 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Very appropriate word of the day from the TLG: συγχωνεύω / “to melt down.”
Not inspired by any current events, I’m sure!
Not inspired by any current events, I’m sure!
Finally got my hands on this beauty! @rhigarthjones.bsky.social
Going to be binge read on my holiday & I can’t waiiit 😇😇😇
#romanhistory #classics
Going to be binge read on my holiday & I can’t waiiit 😇😇😇
#romanhistory #classics
June 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Finally got my hands on this beauty! @rhigarthjones.bsky.social
Going to be binge read on my holiday & I can’t waiiit 😇😇😇
#romanhistory #classics
Going to be binge read on my holiday & I can’t waiiit 😇😇😇
#romanhistory #classics
Realised I forgot to share my latest #substack piece! It’s on the reflections & refractions of 312 AD, and it’s my favourite #ByzantiumforBeginners that I’ve written yet! Hope you enjoy!!
#history #byzantium #historian #byzantinehistory #constantine
open.substack.com/pub/empresso...
#history #byzantium #historian #byzantinehistory #constantine
open.substack.com/pub/empresso...
Byzantium for Beginners V: By this sign, conquer.
312 AD, Reflected and Refracted.
open.substack.com
June 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Realised I forgot to share my latest #substack piece! It’s on the reflections & refractions of 312 AD, and it’s my favourite #ByzantiumforBeginners that I’ve written yet! Hope you enjoy!!
#history #byzantium #historian #byzantinehistory #constantine
open.substack.com/pub/empresso...
#history #byzantium #historian #byzantinehistory #constantine
open.substack.com/pub/empresso...
Reposted by Madeleine
Next week is vacation! Time to catch up on two Substacks!!! @mduperouzel.bsky.social @sarahebond.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Next week is vacation! Time to catch up on two Substacks!!! @mduperouzel.bsky.social @sarahebond.bsky.social
I was recently elected Oxford University Byzantine Society President for 2025/26!
If you’re interested in keeping up w/ our activities, as well as being the first to know when we release our Grad Conference CfP, you can now follow us on Bluesky: @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social
If you’re interested in keeping up w/ our activities, as well as being the first to know when we release our Grad Conference CfP, you can now follow us on Bluesky: @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social
June 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I was recently elected Oxford University Byzantine Society President for 2025/26!
If you’re interested in keeping up w/ our activities, as well as being the first to know when we release our Grad Conference CfP, you can now follow us on Bluesky: @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social
If you’re interested in keeping up w/ our activities, as well as being the first to know when we release our Grad Conference CfP, you can now follow us on Bluesky: @oxunibyzantinesoc.bsky.social
I have returned from my posting hiatus! And I’ve got a new #substack out, about #arthistory — specifically the Muqarnas ceiling @ the Cappella Palatina!! 💥💥💥
Hope you enjoy! #byzantinehistory #medievalhistory #historian #italianhistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/iconophili...
Hope you enjoy! #byzantinehistory #medievalhistory #historian #italianhistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/iconophili...
Iconophilia I: The Cappella Palatina Muqarnas Ceiling
The first time I've not minded being on ceiling duty.
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
May 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I have returned from my posting hiatus! And I’ve got a new #substack out, about #arthistory — specifically the Muqarnas ceiling @ the Cappella Palatina!! 💥💥💥
Hope you enjoy! #byzantinehistory #medievalhistory #historian #italianhistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/iconophili...
Hope you enjoy! #byzantinehistory #medievalhistory #historian #italianhistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/iconophili...
#ByzantiumforBeginners IV is up! It’s the abt the chaotic (ignominious?) end of the #Tetrarchy 🫨
Also, I have a Ko-Fi page now, for small+1-off tips to support my work! 🫶🏼☕️ link in the piece!
#byzantium #history #historian #byzantinehistory #substack
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Also, I have a Ko-Fi page now, for small+1-off tips to support my work! 🫶🏼☕️ link in the piece!
#byzantium #history #historian #byzantinehistory #substack
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Byzantium for Beginners IV: Crises, Caesars, Christians... and Cabbages?
Part 3: c.305-311/12
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
May 13, 2025 at 7:06 AM
#ByzantiumforBeginners IV is up! It’s the abt the chaotic (ignominious?) end of the #Tetrarchy 🫨
Also, I have a Ko-Fi page now, for small+1-off tips to support my work! 🫶🏼☕️ link in the piece!
#byzantium #history #historian #byzantinehistory #substack
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Also, I have a Ko-Fi page now, for small+1-off tips to support my work! 🫶🏼☕️ link in the piece!
#byzantium #history #historian #byzantinehistory #substack
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Ah!!!! I can’t believe it’s finally here! This was such a great conversation abt my queen #Theodora & Ben is a wonderful host. As he mentions, there are adult themes (TW for mentions of CSA). Check it out & make sure to listen to Ben’s whole podcast! He’s doing great work. 🫡. Ty Ben for having me!
Just in time for Mother's Day - a new episode with @mduperouzel.bsky.social about Constantinople's OG Girl Boss, Theodora! Heads up - there are some very adult topics in this. Thanks to Madeleine for coming on the pod.
bullcitycoordinators.com/2025/05/11/s...
bullcitycoordinators.com/2025/05/11/s...
Sidequest 20 – Madeleine Duperouzel on Empress Theodora
In an effort to help bridge the gap between “Byzantine” and Roman history, I reached out to Madeleine Duperouzel to see if she’d be interested in talking about Empress Theodora. M…
bullcitycoordinators.com
May 11, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Ah!!!! I can’t believe it’s finally here! This was such a great conversation abt my queen #Theodora & Ben is a wonderful host. As he mentions, there are adult themes (TW for mentions of CSA). Check it out & make sure to listen to Ben’s whole podcast! He’s doing great work. 🫡. Ty Ben for having me!
🚨🚨 Emergency #substack on the OG namesake of the new Pope! 🚨🚨
Returned to my undergrad thesis to talk about Leo I, one of the greatest popes of all (Chalcedo or Chalcedon’t you agree?!)
Minor correction in comments🤨
#conclave #historian #byzantium
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/the-pope-f...
Returned to my undergrad thesis to talk about Leo I, one of the greatest popes of all (Chalcedo or Chalcedon’t you agree?!)
Minor correction in comments🤨
#conclave #historian #byzantium
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/the-pope-f...
The Pope Files: Leo I
Yes, I rushed to get this done as soon as the Papal name was announced!
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
🚨🚨 Emergency #substack on the OG namesake of the new Pope! 🚨🚨
Returned to my undergrad thesis to talk about Leo I, one of the greatest popes of all (Chalcedo or Chalcedon’t you agree?!)
Minor correction in comments🤨
#conclave #historian #byzantium
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/the-pope-f...
Returned to my undergrad thesis to talk about Leo I, one of the greatest popes of all (Chalcedo or Chalcedon’t you agree?!)
Minor correction in comments🤨
#conclave #historian #byzantium
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/the-pope-f...
Reposted by Madeleine
Do we think this is the first pope to have eaten a deep dish Chicago style pizza
May 8, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Do we think this is the first pope to have eaten a deep dish Chicago style pizza
My latest #byzantiumforbeginners #Substack is out! Covering the socio-economic and legislative impacts of the #Tetrarchy (and a lil great persecution controversy too…) check it out for a (hopefully) fun read! #byzantium #byzantinehistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
Byzantium for Beginners III: Crises, Caesars, Christians... and Cabbages?
Part II: c.300-305
empressofbyzantium.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 8:52 PM
My latest #byzantiumforbeginners #Substack is out! Covering the socio-economic and legislative impacts of the #Tetrarchy (and a lil great persecution controversy too…) check it out for a (hopefully) fun read! #byzantium #byzantinehistory
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
empressofbyzantium.substack.com/p/byzantium-...
First day at Villa Romana del Casale yesterday!! Back again today to see more #mosaics. Absolutely floored by the quality and extent of preservation!! 🥹 #arthistory #mosaicmonday #romanmosaics #byzantineart #historian
May 5, 2025 at 6:12 AM
First day at Villa Romana del Casale yesterday!! Back again today to see more #mosaics. Absolutely floored by the quality and extent of preservation!! 🥹 #arthistory #mosaicmonday #romanmosaics #byzantineart #historian
Soo pleased to say that I passed my Transfer of Status & I’m now allowed to call myself a #doctoralstudent! 😎 celebrating by having a nap & packing for my 5-day Sicilian road trip adventure… can’t wait to see the Piazza Armerina #mosaics for real! #historian #phdstudent #romanmosaics #arthistory
May 2, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Soo pleased to say that I passed my Transfer of Status & I’m now allowed to call myself a #doctoralstudent! 😎 celebrating by having a nap & packing for my 5-day Sicilian road trip adventure… can’t wait to see the Piazza Armerina #mosaics for real! #historian #phdstudent #romanmosaics #arthistory