IMC 2021: Sessions
Session 1215: Before the Anthropocene, III: Medieval Concepts of Interdependent Human-Nature Relations
Wednesday 7 July 2021, 14.15-15.45
| Organiser: | Martin Bauch, Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa, Leipzig |
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| Moderator/Chair: | Martin Bauch, Leibniz-Institut für Geschichte und Kultur des östlichen Europa, Leipzig |
| Paper 1215-a | Saying Prayers, Digging Canals: Facing Climate Change in the Medieval Middle East (Language: English) Index terms: Economics - General, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Religious Life, Social History |
| Paper 1215-b | Idle Aldermen versus buon governo?: Comparing the Agency of Late Medieval City Councils in the Face of Disaster (Language: English) Index terms: Daily Life, Historiography - Medieval, Mentalities, Social History |
| Paper 1215-c | Praying, Fasting, and Hydraulic Works: Strategies to Fight the Forces of Nature in Medieval Daroca (Aragon, Spain) (Language: English) Index terms: Daily Life, Religious Life, Social History, Technology |
| Abstract | The distinction between the course of nature and the course of history is a modern one. Medieval societies all over the world were already able to think reflexively on their impact on environment. Indeed, they assumed that human behavior influenced natural conditions, particularly weather, mediated by religious concepts that crossed into the spheres of politics and economy. Both European and non-European societies accepted that 'bad' human actions would backlash in inclement weather while 'good' behavior would lead to benevolent conditions. This relationship has been interpreted by historians rather simplistically as a 'retributive theology', while it held much greater social implications. |