Introduction: the history of Europe 500–700
Paul Fouracre
Hegel’s notion of a state transformation, in which the present negates past favour future, is well suited to this period European history. At our starting point around year 500, we may still characterise culture as ‘late antique’; by 700 are firmly world Middle Ages. A transformation has apparently occurred. The idea that it developing consciousness calls changes into being not far off mark either, if think about triumph Christian future over pagan and reconfiguration institutions newly hegemonic religious beliefs practices. This conception history avowedly teleological: ultimately more interested what things were becoming than they their own terms proper context. survey such one, standing at beginning series looks 1000 period, must course be aware development order understand nature significance contemporary phenomena. same time, however, equally makes hindsight or overview possible precisely detailed knowledge its terms. balance between detail nevertheless judicious. volume aims for way. It organised on chronological geographical basis, from particular histories provide background final section thematic overviews.
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