To better understand the interconnected nature of the ancient/early medieval Mediterranean, students in ARH2110 (The Global Middle Ages)  were directed to add one object from from two major exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York: the 2012 exhibition Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition and the 2024 exhibition Africa & Byzantium.

They were presented with the following prompt:

The Byzantine Empire stands as a testament to the intricate web of connections that spanned across continents during its thousand-year existence. Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and Asia, this Byzantine realm served as a pivotal link between diverse cultures, economies, and ideologies. 

To the west, Byzantium's reach extended into Europe, where it influenced the development of art, architecture, and governance. The empire's capital, Constantinople, emerged as a vibrant hub of trade, welcoming merchants from across the Mediterranean and beyond. Its strategic position facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies, enriching both Byzantine and European societies.

To the east, Byzantium's ties with Asia were equally profound. Through diplomatic channels and military campaigns, the empire engaged with neighboring powers such as the Sassanid Persians and later the Islamic Caliphates. These interactions fostered cultural diffusion, as Greek learning, Roman law, and Christian theology mingled with Persian, Arabic, and Central Asian traditions.

To the south, Byzantium's influence extended into Africa, particularly through its trade networks with the vibrant cities of the Levant and Egypt. Byzantine merchants traversed the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, connecting with East African ports and participating in the flourishing Indian Ocean trade. This exchange not only facilitated commerce but also facilitated the spread of Christianity into regions as far as Ethiopia.

Task: Choose two objects (one from each exhibition) which demonstrates cross-cultural exchange--be prepared to write a small blurb on the objects to better contextualize them within the larger map.