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Introduction. The article is devoted to analyzing the specific type of Byzantine phylacteries (amulets), which are a vivid manifestation of folk beliefs that combine pagan, magical and Christian components. The author talks about the so-called "coils" – pendants with the image of a head with reptiles instead of hair or simply in combination with snakes. Many of them have a magical inscription mentioning "hysteria" (uterus), which can be understood as this particular organ, as well as various harmful entities. For this reason, there is a problem of correlation of the image and the magic inscription. But the article attempts to interpret the serpentine composition in the context of its functional purpose.

Methods. In historiography, there are many opinions about what the images could represent on this type of monuments. At different times, researchers saw in the image of a head with snakes Medusa Gorgon, the dragon-Satan, Russian Aphrodite – goddess Lada, Abrasax, Sophia of Ophites, Moses' brazen serpent, Eve and the devil, the seven-headed serpent and seven deadly sins, sisters-Likhoradkas, the dragon from the Apocalypse, the serpent of Aesculapius transformed into Satan. In addition, the composition was recognized as a "portrait" of the demon and his machinations elevated to the image of Khnubis and was considered the personification of the hysterical uterus itself.

Analysis. In the article, the meaning of the serpentine composition is considered in the comparative analysis with other images on amulets. This is possible due to the presence of stereotypes and general principles in the construction of magical drawings applied to the amulets, as well as the general meaning that is associated with the functional purpose of the phylacteries. In different types of the images on amulets, semantic emphasis is placed on reproducing the desired action. For this, phylacteries were made and used, and magical texts, signs, images of saints, the Mother of God and even Christ himself were applied to the amulet.

Results. The symbolism of the serpentine composition is revealed within the same sign system. The drawing combining a head (face) and wriggling snakes clearly represents the desired effect – the outcome, the flight of illnesses or the forces of the evil symbolized by reptiles from a person.

The proposed essay is a publication of bibliographic information about scientific works (dissertations, monographs, collections of scientific articles, periodicals) concerning the Byzantine history and published in Volgograd or with the direct participation of Volgograd researchers. The origin and development of studying the Byzantine history in Volgograd is associated with two higher educational institutions – Volgograd State University and Tsaritsyn Orthodox University of St. Sergius of Radonezh, within the walls of which large and internationally recognized periodicals appeared.

Introduction. The recapture of Constantinople by a small detachment of Nicaeans in 1261 looks like an accident and the successful combination of circumstances for the Byzantines. However, we cannot accept this event as accidental. Of particular importance are the consistent conquering efforts of the Empire of Nicaea. In this case, the capture of the city should be considered as the final stage of a long and multifaceted military operation. The main objective of the article is the military-historical reconstruction of these events. The long-term military campaign of Michael VIII Palaiologos to conquer Constantinople is also of interest for the study of combat practice. In addition, it is of particular importance in the study of the Early Palaiologan military-strategic concept and the Late Byzantine military art in general. Methods. The reconstruction of the events of the long-term campaign to retake Constantinople is based on the use of all classical methods of historical research and a systematic approach. Analysis and results. The result of our research makes thinking that Constantinople was not taken by chance in 1261. The retaken of the capital was as a result of the implementation of the essentially insidious plan of Emperor Michael VIII. Lacking sufficient armed forces and means for a full-fledged siege of the city, the emperor twice tried to seize the capital of the Latin Empire. He counted on the effect of an internal factor in the form of treason or support for anti-Latin forces. It is quite obvious that the second option was successful. Authors' contribution. N.D. Barabanov analyzed the event-chronological aspect of the campaign of Michael VIII in 1259–1261, while V.A. Zolotovskiy reconstructed the final military operation to capture Constantinople by Byzantine troops in 1261.