Based on papers given at a 2006 conference concluding an Arts and Humanitites Research Council project on the Mother of God in Byzantium, the 16 papers of this collection offer a satisfying array of studies into the way the Virgin Mary was understood in Byzantium, with 12 of the articles devoted to the era before the Iconoclast Controversy. The material is divided into four sections: the early cult, epithets and typology for the Theotokos, the Mother of God in the Middle Byzantine homiletic tradition, and later developments. Icons, wall painting, ivory carving, and other artistic representations of Mary are a source of study, as are texts. A series of color plates are included. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)