IMC 2025: Sessions

Session 1240: Perceptions of Just War in the Middle Ages, III: Transcultural Perspectives on War and Conflict

Wednesday 9 July 2025, 14:15-15:45

Sponsor:	DFG Graduiertenkolleg 2304 'Byzanz und die euromediterranen Kriegskulturen: Austausch, Abgrenzung und Rezeption', Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Organisers:	Marco Büttner, DFG Graduiertenkolleg 2304 'Byzanz und die euromediterranen Kriegskulturen: Austausch, Abgrenzung und Rezeption', Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Bart Peters, Institut für Geschichtswissenschaft, Technische Universität Braunschweig
Moderator/Chair:	Sini Kangas, History, Philosophy & Literary Studies, Tampere University
Paper 1240-a	Can Civil War Be a Just War?: Reflection on the Justification of Internal Armed Conflict in Byzantium and Its Challenges (Language: English) Yannis Stouraitis, School of History, Classics & Archaeology, University of Edinburgh Index terms: Byzantine Studies, Military History, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1240-b	Ideas of Just Wars: Scanderbeg and the Ottoman Military Campaigns in Albania (Language: English) Markus Koller, Lehrstuhl für Geschichte des Osmanischen Reiches und der Türkei, Historisches Institut, Ruhr-Universität Bochum Index terms: Local History, Military History, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1240-c	Byzantine Military Manuals as Literary Artifacts: Perspectives on Textual Agency in the 10th Century (Language: English) Merdan Doğanay, DFG Graduiertenkolleg 2304 'Byzanz und die euromediterranen Kriegskulturen: Austausch, Abgrenzung und Rezeption', Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Index terms: Byzantine Studies, Language and Literature - Greek, Military History, Rhetoric
Abstract	These sessions explore diverse perspectives on Just War in Medieval Europe and beyond, focusing on the evolving worlds of learning surrounding Just War. Interdisciplinary scholarly contributions provide a comprehensive view of how the concept of Just War developed across intellectual traditions, legal frameworks, and cultural representations. By engaging with theological debates, legal norms, and historical case studies, this series fosters a deeper understanding of how medieval societies navigated the complex relationship between war, justice, legitimation, and morality. Session I: This session examines the ideological and theological foundations of the early Crusader movement. Session II: This session highlights how warfare was portrayed and rationalised in historiographical writings. Session III: This session investigates transcultural perspectives on internal and external conflicts, broadening the discussion beyond Latin Europe. Session IV: This session addresses the evolving late medieval legal and ethical frameworks of Just War.