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IMC 2022: Sessions

Session 1125: Overcoming and Creating Social and Political Boundaries with Classical Education (Paideia): The Role of Knowledge and Its Bearers at Princely Courts during Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages

Wednesday 6 July 2022, 11.15-12.45

Organisers:Nikolas Hächler, Institut d'histoire et civilisation de Byzance Collège de France Paris
Rebecca Schmalholz, Historisches Seminar, Universität Zürich
Moderator/Chair:Rebecca Schmalholz, Historisches Seminar, Universität Zürich
Paper 1125-aEstablishing Status and Breaking Boundaries?: Education at the Visigothic and Burgundian Courts in Late Antique Gaul
(Language: English)
Veronika Egetenmeyr, Arbeitsbereich Alte Geschichte Historisches Institut Universität Greifswald
Index terms: Education, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy, Social History
Paper 1125-bLimiting the Emperor's Powers through Knowledge: The Role of Mirrors of Princes at the Byzantine Court during the 6th and 7th Centuries to Guide God's Imperial Deputies
(Language: English)
Nikolas Hächler, Institut d'histoire et civilisation de Byzance Collège de France Paris
Index terms: Byzantine Studies, Education, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1125-cPaul the Deacon, Alcuin, Theodulf: How Foreign Poets Shaped Charlemagne's Court - and How the Court Shaped Them
(Language: English)
Rebecca Schmalholz, Historisches Seminar, Universität Zürich
Index terms: Education, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy, Social History
Abstract

Education was held in high esteem in the ancient Mediterranean world. Alongside family background, personal achievements, and material possessions, it was an important distinction mark to consolidate an individual's position. The contributions aim to examine the extent and limitations to which individual display of knowledge at princely courts contributed to crossing socio-political boundaries. Additionally, they show how scholars through their knowledge of traditional concepts of just government could influence political decisions of individual rulers. Finally, they will highlight, how at first foreign intellectuals could become important figures around political leaders, thereby transcending the boundaries between periphery and centers of power.