Mary Whitby (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197263785
- eISBN:
- 9780191734304
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197263785.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, World Medieval History
These chapters survey the range of historical sources from the peoples who collided with the Byzantine Empire during this period of dramatic upheaval. The Empire that had been expanded and ...
More
These chapters survey the range of historical sources from the peoples who collided with the Byzantine Empire during this period of dramatic upheaval. The Empire that had been expanded and consolidated by Basil II (d. 1025) was to disintegrate in the face of incursions from the north and Muslim east. In addition, pilgrims and crusaders from the west passed through the Empire and settled – culminating in the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. In order to understand the history of the region during this period, one must be aware of the rich source material created by these shifting populations, in a wide range of languages, and with differing traditions of historical writing. The 14 chapters give an overview of the material, highlighting any problems the historian may have in dealing with it, and provide detailed bibliographical surveys. Latin, Arabic, Jewish, Slavonic, Georgian, Armenian, and Syriac sources are all discussed.Less
These chapters survey the range of historical sources from the peoples who collided with the Byzantine Empire during this period of dramatic upheaval. The Empire that had been expanded and consolidated by Basil II (d. 1025) was to disintegrate in the face of incursions from the north and Muslim east. In addition, pilgrims and crusaders from the west passed through the Empire and settled – culminating in the capture of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. In order to understand the history of the region during this period, one must be aware of the rich source material created by these shifting populations, in a wide range of languages, and with differing traditions of historical writing. The 14 chapters give an overview of the material, highlighting any problems the historian may have in dealing with it, and provide detailed bibliographical surveys. Latin, Arabic, Jewish, Slavonic, Georgian, Armenian, and Syriac sources are all discussed.
Anne Haour
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197264119
- eISBN:
- 9780191734694
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264119.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, World Medieval History
What do we learn if we look in parallel at the past of two distinct parts of the world? This book weighs this question by considering both the central Sahel of West Africa and the European countries ...
More
What do we learn if we look in parallel at the past of two distinct parts of the world? This book weighs this question by considering both the central Sahel of West Africa and the European countries around the North Sea, for the period 800–1500. This is a time for which historical records are scarce, and to which archaeology is making ever-increasing contributions. It is also, and foremost, a time when the central Sahel and northern Europe alike were undergoing far-reaching changes that were to define key aspects of their identity today. New monotheistic religions were replacing the animist faiths, states and empires were becoming consolidated, new trading networks were being set up, new towns were emerging, and fortifications were being erected as symbols and in defence against raiders and invaders. Do these elements of convergence mean that we can unpick much wider themes of similarity between northern Europe and Sahelian West Africa? This volume's central argument is that we can understand one area better by seeking inspiration from another.Less
What do we learn if we look in parallel at the past of two distinct parts of the world? This book weighs this question by considering both the central Sahel of West Africa and the European countries around the North Sea, for the period 800–1500. This is a time for which historical records are scarce, and to which archaeology is making ever-increasing contributions. It is also, and foremost, a time when the central Sahel and northern Europe alike were undergoing far-reaching changes that were to define key aspects of their identity today. New monotheistic religions were replacing the animist faiths, states and empires were becoming consolidated, new trading networks were being set up, new towns were emerging, and fortifications were being erected as symbols and in defence against raiders and invaders. Do these elements of convergence mean that we can unpick much wider themes of similarity between northern Europe and Sahelian West Africa? This volume's central argument is that we can understand one area better by seeking inspiration from another.