Secrecy has played a role throughout human history and continues to captivate the imagination. Some of the most fascinating aspects of the Byzantine Empire, such as the sanctuaries of the imperial palace and the military uses of Greek fire, have remained a mystery for centuries. This book offers a brief history of secrecy in the Byzantine Empire and examines the art historian’s role in uncovering the truth, showing how visual evidence can not only reveal new discoveries but also conceal answers.

Art historians face many challenges in their quest for hidden knowledge, such as access to records preserved only in fragmented glimpses and the reconciliation of how practices of speculation and reconstruction lead to different and sometimes contradictory understandings. Of urgent importance, this book calls for scholars to consider their role in presenting the stories of marginalized people, particularly concerning the history of queer and trans individuals.

At the core of these investigations is the search for how hidden knowledge was transmitted and how relationships were empowered through the collective maintenance of secrets, as well as how concealment is used as a strategy of exercising power. With perspectives on the religious, imperial, military, and cultural uses of secrecy, this book offers an intriguing insight into the ways secrecy manifested during the Byzantine Empire and the implications it has for the issues we face today.