he course aims to foster in students a critical engagement with the written sources of medieval Europe. Particular attention will be devoted to issues concerning the structure and geography of the sources, the complex relationship between authors, scribes, and recipients, and the documentary typologies in relation to the information they convey. In this way, students will develop an awareness of how historians approach the fundamental problems of medieval societies and construct their historical narratives.
Curriculum
scheda docente
materiale didattico
In the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Programma
Imperial Diplomas Granted to Bishops in the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th CenturiesIn the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Testi Adottati
Paolo Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, 1991 (and subsequent editions)Modalità Valutazione
Final oral examination. Students who wish to do so may present in class the reading and interpretation of a document assigned by the professor. This presentation, along with the corresponding written report, will be taken into account for the final assessment.
scheda docente
materiale didattico
In the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Programma
Imperial Diplomas Granted to Bishops in the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th CenturiesIn the Regnum Italiae of the 10th and 11th centuries, certain bishops received imperial diplomas that granted them the exercise of public authority within cities—over taxation, justice, and other powers traditionally held by counts. This body of documents gave rise to the notion of the bishop-count, an interpretation that has since been significantly revised in historiographical debate. In other cases, these diplomas have been viewed as early transfers of power to the cities, a sort of anticipation of the later communes. This idea, too, has been strongly challenged.
What, then, was the true significance of the imperial diplomas granted to bishops in the society of the Regnum Italiae during the 10th and 11th centuries? Through a systematic reading of the documents, the course aims to place these diplomas back into their proper political, social, and cultural contexts and, in doing so, to reflect on both the potential and the limitations of the documentary evidence.
Testi Adottati
Paolo Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, 1991 (and subsequent editions)Modalità Valutazione
Final oral examination. Students who wish to do so may present in class the reading and interpretation of a document assigned by the professor. This presentation, along with the corresponding written report, will be taken into account for the final assessment.