Meredith Leigh Dear Riedel

Meredith Leigh Dear Riedel
Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity

Dr. Riedel is the author of Leo VI and the Transformation of Byzantine Christian Identity: Writings of an Unexpected Emperor (Cambridge, 2018).
Dr. Riedel’s research interests focus on the nexus of war, politics, and religion in the early medieval Byzantine oikoumene, with particular interest in how Orthodox Christianity interacted with Islam, Latin Christianity, Judaism, and other indigenous faith traditions of the Mediterranean world. She studies military and diplomatic interactions between Christendom and Islam and is particularly interested in Byzantine cultural attitudes and beliefs in the centuries leading up to the Crusades. Her first book presents a new analysis of the design and purpose of the Byzantine Emperor Leo VI’s military manual, the Taktika, as well as his legislative and homiletic writings, showing his use of biblical allusions and language to articulate a collective Christian political identity. Her second book, on the interaction of Christianity and Islam (7th-13th centuries) is currently in progress.

Dr. Riedel is an ordained Ruling Elder at Triangle Grace Church (ECO) in Durham.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity, Divinity School, Duke University 2012

Contact Information

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- D.Phil., University of Oxford (UK) 2010
Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Assistant Professor of History, Wheaton College. 2011 - 2012
- Syriac Research Fellow, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. 2010 - 2011
Recognition
Awards & Honors
- Wabash Center Summer Fellowship. Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. 2014
- Wabash Center Workshop for Pre-Tenure Theological Faculty . Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion. 2013
Expertise
Subject Headings
Global Scholarship
- Research
  - Syrian Arab Republic (Country)
  - Turkey (Country)
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Books
  - Riedel, Meredith L. D. Leo VI and the Transformation of Byzantine Christian Identity Writings of an Unexpected Emperor. Cambridge University Press, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781107281967.
    Full Text
- Academic Articles
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Demonic Prophecy as Byzantine Imperial Propaganda: The rhetorical appeal of the tenth-century Narratio de Imagine Edessena.” Fides Et Historia 49.1 (2017) (2017): 11–23.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Biblical echoes in two byzantine military speeches.” Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 40, no. 2 (October 1, 2016): 207–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/byz.2016.4.
    Full Text
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Leo VI and the Cleansing of the Law.” Medieval Perspectives 31 (2016) (2016): 129–42.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “‘Nikephoros II Phokas and Orthodox Military Martyrdom’.” Journal of Religious Medieval Cultures 41, no. 2 (2015): 121–47.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Syriac sources for Byzantinists: An introduction and overview.” Byzantinische Zeitschrift 105, no. 2 (December 1, 2012): 775–802. https://doi.org/10.1515/bz.2012.0030.
    Full Text
- Book Sections
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Biblical Echoes in the Taktika of Leo VI.” In The Bible in Byzantium Appropriation, Adaptation, Interpretation, edited by Claudia Rapp and Andreas Külzer, 25–38. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2018.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Historical Writing and Warfare.” In Oxford History of History Writing, Vol. 2 (History Writing in the Middle Ages), edited by S. Foot and C. Robinson, 576–603. Oxford University Press, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Byzantine administration.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Foreigners.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Eudocia, empress.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Constantine III Heraclius.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Caesaropapism.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Military lands.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Forts, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Popular religion, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Paganism.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Strategy, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Missions, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Asia Minor.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Roads, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “The Sacrality of a Sovereign: Leo VI and Politics in Middle Byzantium.” In Zwei Sonnen Am Goldenen Horn?Kaiserliche Und Patriarchale Macht Im Byzantinischen Mittelalter, edited by M. Grünbart and W. Wilhelms-Universität, 127–35. Münster, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Dionysius of Tell Mahre.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Maronite Chronicle of 663/4.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Melkite Chronicle of 641.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Syriac Short Chronicles.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Composite Chronicle of 636/40;.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Khuzistan Chronicle.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “John of Phenek.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “John of Ephesus.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Iliya ibn Sinaya.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
- Book Reviews
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Creating Memories in Late 8th-century Byzantium: The Short History of Nikephoros of Constantinople. (Central European Medieval Studies 2.) Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2018.” Speculum. University of Chicago Press, January 2019.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Georgios Chatzelis, Jonathan Harris (trans.), A Tenth-Century Byzantine Military Manual: The ‘Sylloge tacticorum’. London; New York: Routledge, 2018.” Bryn Mawr Classical Review. Bryn Mawr College, August 13, 2018.
    Link to Item
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Military Saints in Byzantium and Rus, 900-1200, by Monica White.” The English Historical Review. Oxford University Press (OUP), October 1, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehr/ceu217.
    Full Text
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “The History of the Medieval World from the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade”, by Susan Wise Bauer (Norton, 2010).” Modern Reformation, 2011.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. ““James”, by Daniel M. Doriani (P&R, 2007).” Modern Reformation, 2007.
- Theses and Dissertations
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Fighting the good fight: the 'Taktika' of Leo VI and its influence on Byzantine cultural identity,” 2010.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “Warfare Between Byzantines and Arabs in the Taktika of Leo VI the Wise: or, Why can't a Roman be more like a Saracen?,” 2004.
  - Riedel, M. L. D. “The Presence of God as a Portent in Exile: Ezekiel's use of Exodus Theology in Visions of Glory,” 2003.
Teaching & Mentoring
Recent Courses
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Presentations & Appearances
Service to the Profession
Service to Duke

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Academic Positions Outside Duke

Awards & Honors

Subject Headings

Global Scholarship

Research

Selected Publications

Books

Academic Articles

Book Sections

Book Reviews

Theses and Dissertations

Recent Courses

Presentations & Appearances

Service to the Profession

Service to Duke