Skip to main content

IMC 2015: Sessions

Session 1008: Social Cohesion, I: Concerns for Cohesion in Italy and the Carolingian Realms, 9th and 10th Centuries

Wednesday 8 July 2015, 09.00-10.30

Sponsor:European Research Council Project 'Social Cohesion, Identity & Religion in Europe (SCIRE)'
Organiser:Clemens Gantner, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien
Moderator/Chair:Celine Wawruschka, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien
Paper 1008-aSinging from the Same Hymn Sheet?: Amalarius of Metz's Liber de ordine antiphonarii and Social Cohesion
(Language: English)
Graeme Ward, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien
Index terms: Ecclesiastical History, Language and Literature - Latin, Liturgy, Theology
Paper 1008-bLove and Marriage: Louis II's Role in His Brother's Marriage Controversy and Its Impact on Italy
(Language: English)
Clemens Gantner, Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Wien
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1008-cCity-States in Early Medieval Southern Italy
(Language: English)
Caroline Goodson, Department of History, Classics & Archaeology, Birkbeck, University of London
Index terms: Archaeology - General, Architecture - General, Political Thought
Abstract

In the early Middle Ages, Europe's political landscape was significantly shaped by the emergence of new fundamental modes of identification, both ethnic and religious. These processes created new forms of social cohesion and conflict. With the Bible, Christianity provided a repertoire of patterns suitable to give order and orientation that were significant for the shaping of ethnic identities. The SCIRE project, an ERC Advanced Grant project based in Vienna and led by Walter Pohl is dealing with these problems. This session is the first of a series at this year's IMC showing results of the project which is going to end in 2016.

First, Graeme Ward will deal with Amalarius of Metz's Liber de ordine antiphonarii and ask in which ways this very specific text can address two big but contentious topics: ecclesiastical 'unity' and Roman renovatio. Clemens Gantner will then look at the impact of north alpine Carolingian political strife on the imperium of Louis II in Italy. Finally, Caroline Goodson will explore the significance of interest and investment in Southern Italian cities. She will argue that the built environment was no mere backdrop but a critical tool of consensus-building among the southern polities.