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Strategies of Distinction
Between the fourth and the eight century, a number of 'experimental' polities had to create new forms of legitimacy and organisation to overcome a Roman world based on Empire, city and tribe. In the course of time, a new world developed that relied on Christendom, kingdom and people to pull an increased variety of local communities together. Of these three factors, the ethnic one certainly is the most elusive. This volume discusses the process of construction of ethnic identities. What did names, law, language, costume, burial rites, rhetoric, culture, royal representation or ideology mean, and to whom? This is the question that is common to the papers assembled here. Even though they span several centuries, and a geographic area from the Iberian peninsula to the Black Sea steppes, they all deal with the ways how ethnic distinction became a political factor in the post-Roman world.
Regna and Gentes
This book is the first comprehensive and comparative study of the difficult relationship between ethnic identities and political organisation in the post-Roman and early medieval kingdoms. 16 authors (historians, archaeologists and linguists) deal with ten important kingdoms of this period and with its political and legal context.
“The” Other Europe in the Middle Ages
Drawing on archaeological and narrative sources, this collection of studies offers a fresh look at some of the most interesting aspects of the current research on the medieval nomads of Eastern Europe.
The Avars
"Though the book was first published in German in 1988, this English version includes many revisions and updates and will be the definitive English-language study of the Avar empire for years to come. It will be invaluable for those interested in medieval history or in the impact of nomadic steppe empires on sedentary civilizations." ― Choice The Avars arrived in Europe from the Central Asian steppes in the mid-sixth century CE and dominated much of Central and Eastern Europe for almost 250 years. Fierce warriors and canny power brokers, the Avars were more influential and durable than Attila's Huns, yet have remained hidden in history. Walter Pohl's epic narrative, translated into English...
Craftsmen and Jewelers in the Middle and Lower Danube Region (6th to 7th Centuries)
In Craftsmen and Jewelers in the Middle and Lower Danube Region (6th to 7th Centuries) Daniela Tănase uses archaeological evidence to examine blacksmithing and goldsmithing and shows how the practice was subject to multiple influences.
The Transformation of Frontiers
The definition and notion of frontiers changed in the process of the transformation of the Roman world. This volume goes beyond topography to explore the meaning and impact of new frontiers as they were establised. It becomes clear that the transformation of frontiers was not a linear process in which the imperial frontiers were abandoned and the means of controlling them declined, but depended on specific circumstances. Four of the contributions deal with the frontiers of the Carolingian Empire in their political and military aspects, as well as in the context of Christian conversion and missions. Three of the contributions discuss Roman frontiers and their perception in late antiquity, demonstrating that they were not simply defence lines, but also a basis for offensive operations, a focus in elaborate exchange networks and a means of internal control. Other papers describe the frontiers of early medieval kingdoms, two of which propose theoretical models, whereas others analyse the construction and the blurring of frontiers between the empire and the kingdoms of the Visigoths, Lombards and Avars.
Byzantium and the Avars, 6th-9th Century AD
In this book, Georgios Kardaras offers a global view of the contacts between the Byzantine Empire and the Avar Khaganate, emphasizing the reconstruction of these contacts after 626 (when, in contrast to archaeological evidence, written sources are very few) and the definition of the possible channels of communication between the two powers. The author scrutinizes the political and diplomatic framework, and critically examines issues such as mutual influence on material culture and on warfare, reaching the conclusion that significant contact between Byzantium and the Avars can be proved up until 775.
The Dragon in Medieval East Christian and Islamic Art
This book is a pioneering work on a key iconographic motif, that of the dragon. It examines the perception of this complex, multifaceted motif within the overall intellectual and visual universe of the medieval Irano-Turkish world. Using a broadly comparative approach, the author explores the ever-shifting semantics of the dragon motif as it emerges in neighbouring Muslim and non-Muslim cultures. The book will be of particular interest to those concerned with the relationship between the pre-Islamic, Islamic and Eastern Christian (especially Armenian) world. The study is fully illustrated, with 209 (b/w and full colour) plates, many of previously unpublished material. Illustrations include photographs of architectural structures visited by the author, as well as a vast collection of artefacts, all of which are described and discussed in detail with inscription readings, historical data and textual sources.
Tangible Things
"In a world obsessed with the virtual, tangible things are once again making history. Tangible Things invites readers to look closely at the things around them, arguing that almost any material thing, when examined closely, can be a link between present and past."--Provided by publisher.
Griffinology
Feathered with illustrations, a deep dive into the meaning of this half-lion, half-bird creature over millennia of human history. Griffinology is a fascinating exploration of the mythical creature’s many depictions in human culture. Drawing on a wealth of historical and literary sources, this book shows how the griffin has captured the imagination of people for over five thousand years, representing power, transcendence, and even divinity. It explores the history and symbolism of griffins in art, from their appearances in ancient Egyptian magic wands to medieval bestiaries, and from medieval coats of arms to modern corporate logos. The use of the griffin as a symbol of power and protection is surveyed throughout history and into modern times, such as in the Harry Potter series. Beautifully illustrated, this book should appeal to all those interested in monsters, magic, and the mystical, as well as art and history.
