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
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- D.Phil., University of Oxford (UK) 2010
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Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Assistant Professor of History, Wheaton College. 2011 - 2012
- Syriac Research Fellow, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford. 2010 - 2011
- Recognition
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Awards & Honors
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
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Global Scholarship
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Books
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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
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Academic Articles
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Biblical Echoes in Two Byzantine Military Speeches.” Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies 40/2 (2016) (September 22, 2016): 207–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/byz.2016.4.Full Text
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Leo VI and the Cleansing of the Law.” Medieval Perspectives 31 (2016) (2016): 129–42.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “‘Nikephoros II Phokas and Orthodox Military Martyrdom’.” Journal of Religious Medieval Cultures 41, no. 2 (2015): 121–47.
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Riedel, Meredith L. D. “Syriac sources for Byzantinists: an introduction and overview.” Byzantinische Zeitschrift 105, no. 2 (January 2012). https://doi.org/10.1515/bz.2012.0030.Full Text
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Book Sections
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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.
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Byzantine administration.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Foreigners.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Eudocia, empress.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Constantine III Heraclius.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Caesaropapism.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Military lands.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Forts, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Popular religion, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Paganism.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Strategy, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Missions, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Asia Minor.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Roads, Byzantine.” In Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Ancient History, edited by E. Bull. Blackwell, 2012.
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Dionysius of Tell Mahre.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Melkite Chronicle of 641.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Syriac Short Chronicles.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Khuzistan Chronicle.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “John of Phenek.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “John of Ephesus.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Riedel, M. L. D., and J. V. Ginkel. “Iliya ibn Sinaya.” In Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle, edited by G. Dunphy. Brill, 2011.
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Book Reviews
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Riedel, M. L. D. ““James”, by Daniel M. Doriani (P&R, 2007).” Modern Reformation, 2007.
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Theses and Dissertations
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Riedel, M. L. D. “Fighting the good fight: the 'Taktika' of Leo VI and its influence on Byzantine cultural identity,” 2010.
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Riedel, M. L. D. “The Presence of God as a Portent in Exile: Ezekiel's use of Exodus Theology in Visions of Glory,” 2003.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- CHURHST 751: Modern European Christianity 2019
- CHURHST 763: History of the Crusades 2019
- CHURHST 764: Becoming Divine: A History of Eastern Orthodoxy 2019
- CHURHST 822: Heresies and Heretics 2019
- CHURHST 999: Directed Study 2019
- HISTTHEO 999: DIRECTED STUDY 2019
- MEDREN 551: Modern European Christianity 2019
- CHURHST 818: Byzantium and Islam: Eastern Perspectives 2018
- HISTTHEO 811: History of Hell 2018
- NEWTEST 999: Directed Study 2018
- CHURHST 768: Italy in the Life of the Church: Early and Medieval Christianity 2017
- HISTTHEO 807: History and Theology of Byzantine Iconography 2017
- NEWTEST 777: Italy in the Life of the Church: Early and Medieval Christianity 2017
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Presentations & Appearances
- Kashrut in Byzantium. 44th Annual Byzantine Studies Conference. Byzantine Studies Association of North America. October 4, 2018 - October 7, 2018 2018
- Heresies and Heretics in Early Medieval Byzantium: Maximos the Confessor and Monotheletism. Workshop entitled Inclusion and Exclusion in the Late Antique and Early Medieval Mediterranean. April 23, 2018 - April 25, 2018 2018
- Byzantine Romans and 'Abbasid Muslims: Shifting ethnonyms in medieval imperial literature. Annual Conference. American Society of Church History. January 4, 2018 - January 7, 2018 2018
- The Power of Three Famous Relics from Syrian Hierapolis. Southeastern Medieval Association. November 16, 2017 - November 18, 2017 2017
- Byzantine "chosenness" in the preaching of Leo VI. 43rd Annual Byzantine Studies Conference. Byzantine Studies Association of North America. October 4, 2017 - October 7, 2017 2017
- The Bones of St Andrew: Relic Migration and the Power of Holiness. Cultures, Hopes, and Conflicts - The Mediterranean between Land and Sea. September 26, 2017 - September 28, 2017 2017
- We are all Hussites: Luther, Boniface VIII and the Eastern Theology of Hus' De ecclesia. International Society of Biblical Literature. August 8, 2017 - August 11, 2017 2017
- The Hand of Blessing: A Relic Precious to Christians and Muslims in the Tenth Century. Medieval Academy of America Annual Conference. April 6, 2017 - April 8, 2017 2017
- God has sent the thunder: The Role of Religion in the Taktika of Leo VI. Canadian Society of Medievalists: Greek & Roman Military Manuals. October 21, 2016 - October 22, 2016 2016
- Photios' Hermeneutics for Wisdom Literature in Amphilochia 9. International Congress of Byzantine Studies. August 21, 2016 - August 28, 2016 2016
- Byzantium: Republic or Empire?. International Society of Biblical Literature. July 20, 2015 - July 24, 2015 2015
- Echoes of Scripture in Byzantine Political Identity. International Society of Biblical Literature. July 6, 2014 - July 10, 2014 2014
- Battle Speeches and Byzantine Chosenness. The 44th Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies. April 2011 - April 2011 2011
- The Sacrality of a Sovereign: Leo VI and politics in middle Byzantium. Zwei Sonnen am Goldenen Horn? Internationale Tagung am Exzellenzcluster über weltliche und geistliche Macht in Konstantinopel. Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität. November 3, 2010 - November 5, 2010 2010
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Service to the Profession
- Governing Board. Byzantine Studies Association of North America. 2017 - 2020 2017 - 2020
- Referee. Bryn Mawr Classical Review. 2017 2017
- PhD Committee. Department of Religious Studies. UNC-Chapel Hill. 2016 2016
- Referee. Historical Reflections/Reflexions historiques. 2016 2016
- Referee. Speculum. 2015 2015
- Executive Committee. Southeastern Medieval Association. 2014 - 2016 2014 - 2016
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Service to Duke
- Duke Islamic Studies Center. Faculty Advisory Committee. 2017 - 2018 2017 - 2018
- Panelist/respondent. Catherine ou le corps de la Passion [film in Arabic]. Duke Center for French and Francophone Studies. 2016 2016
- Academic Council. 2014 - 2016 2014 - 2016
- The Divinity School. Curriculum Committee. 2014 - 2019 2014 - 2019
- Graduate Program in Religion. Graduate Scholarship Committee. 2013 2013
- Co-Director. Master of Theological Studies Program. The Divinity School. 2012 - 2016 2012 - 2016
- Divinity School/Graduate Program in Religion. Graduate French Reading Exams. 2012 - 2017 2012 - 2017
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