The Baltic-From European Sea of Troubles to Global Interface
Nils Blomkvist
1. Qualitative Change makes the Baltic Different The study of Seas idea studying a vast sea as an entity has formidable pioneer in Fernand Braudel, who analysed role Mediterranean for peoples surrounding it. His La Mediterranee et le monde mediterraneen lepoque de Philippe II from 1949 demonstrates extreme permanence cultures, longue duree he called it, upon which cyclic movements conjunctures, and daily flow events made little impact. In his later work endeavoured to generalise these observations on more or less global scale. (1) But when we turn our Baltic--even if behaviour stems land itself general conditions it offers life--we cannot claim almost eternal Braudel tended see case. structures Rim are certainly old, but not so old that date their origin follow emergence. Again again waves change generated outside her system, have reached shores. present paper will discuss impact two such radical mutations history, both elsewhere, making us--the dwellers Rim--into something weren't before, namely Europeanization Globalization. These complexes came us suddenly, with some centuries between, remained developed according own preferences until now. Hence seems improper call them they may be 'eternal' enough labelled duree. This suggests 'rhythms history', saw them, fail properly context. Globalization represent qualities missing vision, perhaps (seeking Braudelian formulation) name changes qualitatives. (2) Bur first there is need background. before always was extent remains peripheral dead end world, 'finisterre' towards Arctic. During latest Ice Age fully deep frozen. last 10 000 years so, enjoyed clement climate compared other areas at similar latitudes, like Kamchatka Alaska, chiefly due Golf stream. From Neolithic times on, been influenced by civilisations eastern Mediterranean, Romans. development seagoing ships during Iron itself, rivers discharging into her, means heavy transportation, penetrating far Eurasian landmass. We also note armies Charlemagne had come closer than any extraneous conqueror, didn't reach 813 settled border Danes. Carolingian expansion inspired formation multiregional kingdoms Scandinavia, here time onwards. Charlemagne's son Louis sent missionaries emporia Denmark Sweden. initial success soon wiped out raising influences East. 930s Ottonian Germany invaded Jutland, effect being. Instead Viking-age heart East-West system exchange, tying extremes Bulgar Volga 'knee' Kiev Dnepr together Rouen Seine, York Ouse. Rich finds Islamic dirhems all around tell economic wind blowing East 9th 10th centuries. destructive connoted Viking refers groups were left its advantages temporarily dysfunction shown gathering large hosts North Sea coincided periods Arabian silver failed Baltic. Thus vast, autonomous territory, dominated emerging Danish, Norwegian, Swedish Kiev-Russian multi-regional polities, series tributary lands (the skattland Norse texts), added pearls string along main routes. …
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