Old and New

A comparative analysis of Late Byzantine architectural trends reveals distinct patterns in monastic centers, second cities, and newly established urban sites. While Mount Athos and Thessalonike experienced monastic-driven construction with aristocratic patronage mirroring Constantinople's complexities, Mystras emerged as a defensively oriented city shaped by steep topography, lacking orthogonal planning yet maintaining strong architectural ties to the imperial capital. The study highlights how regional variations in patronage—monastic in Thessalonike versus aristocratic in Mystras—reflect broader socio-political dynamics of the period.

Ousterhout, R. G. (2019). Old and New. Eastern Medieval Architecture, 621–647. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190272739.003.0026