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IMC 2014: Sessions

Session 618: To Be or Not to Be Emperor: Transcultural Approaches to the Concept of Imperial Rule from Iceland to Jerusalem, I

Tuesday 8 July 2014, 11.15-12.45

Organisers:Jan Clauss, Historisches Seminar, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Torben Gebhardt, Historisches Seminar, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Christian Scholl, Historisches Seminar, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Moderator/Chair:Hiram Kümper, Historisches Institut, Universität Mannheim
Paper 618-aImitatio imperii without Emperors: The Case of the Barbarians
(Language: English)
Christian Scholl, Historisches Seminar, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Index terms: Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 618-bIntoxication with Hegemony?: The Anjou and the Latin Empire of Constantinople
(Language: English)
Stefan Burkhardt, Akademie der Wissenschaften, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Index terms: Byzantine Studies, Crusades, Politics and Diplomacy
Abstract

The triple-session will deal with the concept of imperial rule from a transcultural perspective. Throughout the Middle Ages, rulers from different cultures and regions (North and Western Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East etc.) have aspired to an idea of imperial hegemony. There are, however, also instances in which the idea has been deliberately refused by rulers although their reign had characteristics of imperial rule.
The sessions will not limit their scope to the West, but will also include Byzantine developments as well as Islamic phenomena. Transcultural influences are of particular interest. To do justice to a topic of such wide possibilities and applicability the phenomenon will be addressed from a variety of perspectives by speakers from various disciplines.