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The present thesis provides and examination of the Greek imports from Al Mina dating from the end of the 9th to the end of the 7th centuries BC. Al Mina, located on the Orontes river in the Hatay province of Turkey, was excavated by L. Woolley in 1936 and 1937. In particular the large quantities of Greek imports recovered from the sites triggered a debate about the site’s function and it’s foundation date. In order to overcome past deficiencies the present thesis provides a detailed record of the Greek pottery recovered from the site. The fragments are analysed stylistically and dated in order to establish a local chronology. Further, a detailed statistical study of the whole assemblage, which comprises about 4800 pieces, reveals evidence for local consumption patterns and further sheds light on the ports external contacts during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. The study also entails a contextual analysis of specific Near Eastern sites in order to set Al Mina in its regional context. Three questions are of major concern in this respect: is it possible to identify the users of Greek pottery in the East in terms of their socio-economic background? Further, is Greek pottery better understood as a commodity or as a gift? Finally, What role does Greek tableware play within the trade with other commodities? The study illustrates that pottery primarily circulated within the lower social classes. It also highlighted a diverse pattern in which high quality products are circulating besides “mass ware”. This can be understood as a diversification process that was initiated in order to reach a wider range of consumers.

Ma thèse constitue une étude du règne de Constantin IX Monomaque, un souverain qui a régné au milieu du XIe siècle, une période charnière de l’histoire byzantine. Les spécificités du règne sont multiples. Ancien exilé devenu empereur grâce à son mariage avec l’impératrice Zoé, Constantin Monomaque n’a eu de cesse de se créer une légitimité pour asseoir sa domination et conforter son trône. L’empereur a réussi avec brio à se constituer un réseau de fidèles avant son avènement et a su, par la suite, l’étoffer en ralliant de nombreuses familles aristocratiques et un grand nombre de fonctionnaires du palais. Pourtant, le pouvoir de l’empereur bien que consolidé a subi de nombreuses épreuves : les deux plus grandes révoltes militaires depuis près d’un demi-siècle, le peuple de Constantinople de plus en plus remuant, les complots palatiaux, … En dépit de ces difficultés, Constantin IX a réussi un exploit au cours de ce siècle si périlleux pour les détenteurs de la pourpre, mourir au pouvoir et de causes naturelles. Monomaque fut un empereur bâtisseur, lançant de grands chantiers aussi bien au sein de l’Empire qu’à l’étranger. La vie culturelle de cette période fut particulièrement riche, puisque plusieurs des grands intellectuels de l’histoire byzantine ont servi l’empereur et ont bénéficié de ses faveurs. Longtemps perçu comme un empereur hostile à l’armée, Constantin Monomaque fut bien au contraire un empereur militaire de premier plan, assurant son devoir en défendant l’Empire. Il fut aussi un des plus grands empereurs diplomates que l’Empire a connu, une politique visant à favoriser la paix aux frontières en désarmant les ennemis ou pour éviter d’en susciter. / My Ph. D. is a study of the reign of Constantine IX Monomachos, a ruler who ruled in the middle of the 11th century, a pivotal period in Byzantine history. The specificities of the reign are multiple. A former exile who became emperor thanks to his marriage to empress Zoe, Constantine Monomachos has never ceased to create a legitimacy to establish his domination and consolidate his throne. The emperor brilliantly succeeded in building up a network of faithful before his advent and subsequently succeeded in strengthening it by rallying many aristocratic families and a large number of officials of the palace. Yet, the power of the emperor, although consolidated, suffered many hardships: the two greatest military revolts in nearly half a century, the people of Constantinople increasingly restless, palatial plots, … Despite these difficulties, Constantine IX achieved a feat during this century so dangerous for the holders of imperial purple, die in power and from natural causes. Monomachos was a builder emperor, launching major projects both within the Empire and abroad. The cultural life of this period was particularly rich, since many of the great intellectuals of Byzantine history served and benefited from the emperor's favours. Long perceived as an emperor hostile to the army, Constantine Monomachos was on the contrary a first-rate military emperor, performing his duty by defending the Empire. He was also one of the greatest diplomatic emperors the Empire has ever known, a policy aimed at promoting peace at the borders by disarming enemies or avoiding creating them.