Strategies of Identification: Ethnicity and Religion in Early Medieval Europe ed. by Walter Pohl and Gerda Heydemann
Stephen Joyce
Reviewed by: Strategies of Identification: Ethnicity and Religion in Early Medieval Europe ed. by Walter Pohl Gerda Heydemann Stephen Joyce Pohl, Heydemann, eds, (Cultural Encounters Late Antiquity the Middle Ages, 13), Turnhout, Brepols, 2013; hardback; pp. x, 450; 14 b/w illustrations, 4 line art; R.R.P. €90.00; ISBN 9782503533841. In Identification, editors have collated six articles on ethnicity as it relates to Christianity early medieval Europe, alongside an Introduction detailing methodological strategies deal with identification outlined himself. The five papers are English, one paper German. recognises a basic cognitive mechanism for sorting. such, is shaped similarities differences between humans expressed through conceptual devices such ethnicity, where individual identity (itself collection variety cultural personae) linked or subsumed within social groups. These identities paradoxical sense that they represent continuity hand, continual adjustments other. methodical question then becomes how (re)construct relevant models ethnicities are, sense, both fluid set contexts obfuscated passage time. proposes depends agency various groups this agency, discourse, can be studied: not ‘given’; must studied broader context; result practice; ethnic matter different contexts. Nothing really added here current consensus approach, but clarity brings ‘slippery’ concept rewarding read. interaction [End Page 203] political power, forms theme rest volume. first chapter, German, Richard Corradini’s examination Augustine’s use peregrinus pilgrim moving City Man (as represented Babylon, Jerusalem, Rome) define ‘utopian’ form based Christian values, rather than common trope identifying gens tribe, ultimately, Judaeo-Christian Chosen People. her contribution, examines Cassiodorus’s attempt (re)define ambiguity interpretations tribe gens. Focusing his Expositio psalmorum, argues Cassiodorus attempted move away from equivalence ‘saved’ particular While Augustine aside gentes favour populus, made no distinction, proposing was also Using eighth-century Merovingian hagiographies, specifically Arbeo Freising’s vitae Emmeram Regensberg Corbidian Freising, Maximilian Diesenberger explores stereotypes mapping out competing visions (or ecclesiastical) order Bavaria. Marianne Pollheimer series ninth-century Carolingian sermons Hrabanus Maurus, written Haistulf, Archbishop Mainz. Within these sermons, Biblical shepherd (pastores) sheep (oves) examined, developed period. Ethnicity, however, does appear fully integrated into argument. Helmut Reimitz follows analysis meanings behind de vobis sum homo ignotus context constructs Frankish sixth seventh centuries, those Gregory Tours compilers Fredegar Chronicle. He ‘cultural brokers’ mediated construct their visions: Gregory, key integration kingdoms, and, thus, he did give francorum particularly prominent place histories; compilers, francorum, descendants Trojans, Romans, Macedonians, were superior offering among gentes, aspirational identity. Lastly, Clemens Gantner changing perception East Romans Greeks papal letters in...
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