An Interview with Herwig Wolfram
John Eldevik|Christoph Sonnlechner|Herwig Wοlfram
AN INTERVIEW WITH HERWIG WOLFRAM by John Eldevik and Christoph Sonnlechner In October 2002, Herwig Wolfram retired as Director of the Institut für österreichische Geschichtsforschung (Institute for Austrian Historical Research) professor Medieval History Auxiliary Sciences at University Vienna. The directorship Institute, founded in 1854, is most prestigious appointment historical academy has traditionally been held an eminent medievalist . Former directors have included luminaries such Theodor Sickel (1826–1908), a pioneer critical study medieval royal charters, late Heinrich Fichtenau (1912–2000), who made pathbreaking contributions to studies with his work on diplomatics , intellectual cultural history.1 succeeded director Institute 1983. Today continues train students special degree program focusing European history, auxiliary sciences, archival administration. It serves institutional home Diplomata regum et imperatorum section Monumenta Germaniae Historica where charters emperor Henry VI (1147–1150) are currently being prepared publication. hosts well teams researchers editing register Pope Innocent III (1198–1216) new volumes Regesta Imperii complete inventory official documents issued German emperors. Most anglophone medievalists know best through Goths, also Roman Empire its Germanic Peoples which challenged traditional ideas about ”barbarian invasions” “decline fall” using concept ethnogenesis, changing structures group identity self-perception over time people move out different political social environments.2 But early specialists 1 On history institute, particularly prior second World War, cf. Alfons Lhotsky, “Geschichte des Instituts Österreichische Geschichtsforschung, 1854–1954, Mitteilungen Ergänzungs-Band 17 (Vienna 1954). More recently, see Wolfram’s own remarks “Das Geschichtsforchung,” Annali dell’Istituto Italo-Germanico Trento 20 (1994) 293–04. 2 trans. Thomas J. Dunlap (Berkeley Los Angeles JOHN ELDEVIK AND CHRISTOPH SONNLECHNER 188 regional extensive Bavaria, Salzburg.3 There series landmark diplomatics, Intitulatio, examining how concepts rulership authority reflected way kings nobility described themselves their documents.4 overseen ambitious project date, publication multi-volume Austria from pre-historic times present (currently comprising eleven several more preparation), he himself contributed one volume spanning periods.5 2000, H. G. Beck Verlag published latest monograph, reign first Salian emperor, Conrad II.6 1968–1969, came year visiting department UCLA. At time, UCLA boasted dynamic communities scholars anywhere world, including founding Center Renaissance Studies, Lynn White, jr., Byzantinist Milton Anastos, historian Amos Funkenstein, Slavicist Heinrik Birnbaum, two fellow-Austrians, orientalist Gustave von Grunebaum, Gerhard Ladner. He returned frequently since then visitor guest lecturer. Professor-emeritus now divides between Salzburg Vienna research write while carrying duties fellow Academy board member 1988); Peoples, 1997); While closely associated today some students, idea “ethnogenesis,” historical, rather than biological, contingency ethnicity was developed applied Reinhard Wenskus context seminal Germanic...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies