Brendan Osswald

Dr. Brendan Osswald is currently an academic staff member at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities since 2019, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Department of History. His work focuses on Late Byzantine Epiros, Byzantine Historiography, and French Travel Literature related to the Balkans. He has received scholarships from the French School in Athens and Rome, and participates in interdisciplinary projects like the Tübingen Malalas Project.

• Education:
  • "Agrégation" in Classical Philology (2014), University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès
  • PhD in History (2011), University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès
  • CAPES in Classical Philology (2005), University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès
  • Diplôme d’études avancées (2003), University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès
  • Magister in History (2002), University of Toulouse Jean-Jaurès
  • Studies in Toulouse (1997-2001)

Research Interests: Dr. Osswald specializes in the political, cultural, and archaeological history of the Despotate of Epirus (13th-15th centuries), analyzing its autonomy within Byzantine frameworks and interactions with Venice. His work bridges textual analysis of chronicles (e.g., Chronique de Ioannina) and material culture, including a monograph L’acolouthie de Sainte Théodora d’Arta par Job Melês and contributions to understanding French archaeological missions in Epirus.

Key Publications highlight trends in Byzantine provincial governance, Venetian-Byzantine relations, and the evolution of consular buildings as cultural intersections. His articles span from L’État épirote (2024) to foundational works on Byzantine citizenship and Ottoman expansion in Epirus (2006).

Scientific Awards & Affiliations:

• Scholarships: French School in Athens (2019), French School in Rome (2020)
• Memberships:
  • Comité français des Études byzantines
  • Association des membres de l’École française d’Athènes
  • Association Toulouse wisigothique

Projects: Coordinated the Architecture ecclésiastique de l’Épire byzantine program (2015-present), contributed to DIPLURBAINE (2018-2019), and EUROPANGE (2017-2018). He is also linked to the Historisch-philologischer Kommentar zur Chronik des Johannes Malalas research group.