The VCLA is an independent, not-for-profit organization, established to promote research and public understanding of late antiquity – the period from about AD200 to about AD700. Its thematic and geographical range is wide – covering the political, economic, social, cultural and religious history, including the textual and material culture, of: -- the territories and former territories of the Roman and Persian empires; -- the regions and peoples of Europe, Africa and Asia with which the citizens or subjects of those empires interacted, either directly or indirectly; -- those territories that saw any observance or promotion of Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Manichaeism or Islam at any time between about AD200 and about AD700.