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IMC 2017: Sessions

Session 622: Creating Communities and Others in and around the Frankish Kingdoms, c. 400-1000, I: Roman Influences

Tuesday 4 July 2017, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:Kısmet Press, Leeds
Organiser:Ricky Broome, Leeds Institute for Clinical Trials Research (LICTR), University of Leeds
Moderator/Chair:Ricky Broome, Leeds Institute for Clinical Trials Research (LICTR), University of Leeds
Paper 622-aGibichung Subjects and homines extraneae nationis
(Language: English)
Ian N. Wood, School of History, University of Leeds
Index terms: Anthropology, Mentalities, Political Thought
Paper 622-bEastern Practices in Merovingian Gaul: Gregory of Tours and Vulfilaic the Stylite of Trier
(Language: English)
Tamar Rotman, Department of General History, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva
Index terms: Hagiography, Religious Life
Paper 622-cAn Outsider in Gaul: Mediterranean Currents in the Histories of Gregory of Tours
(Language: English)
Sihong Lin, School of Arts, Languages & Cultures, University of Manchester
Index terms: Politics and Diplomacy, Religious Life
Abstract

This session considers the historical and contemporary influences of Rome/Byzantium on perceptions of community and otherness in post-Roman Gaul. Ian Wood examines the categories used by the Gibichung rulers of the Rhône valley when classifying themselves (as barbari), their subjects (as Romans, Burgundians, and barbarians) and other peoples (as belonging to extraneous nations). The other two papers tackle the works of Gregory of Tours. Tamar Rotman investigates Gregory's perception of the holy men known as stylites, both as an eastern phenomenon and - more problematically - closer to home in Trier. Sihong Lin places Gregory within a Mediterranean context, showing that while he may appear sceptical of the world outside his own Gaul, he was clearly engaged with discourses and trends taking place across this wider world.