The Manly Eunuch: Masculinity, Gender Ambiguity, and Christian Ideology in Late Antiquity by Matthew Kuefler
Edna Ruth Yahil
REVIEWS 250 Catalan political structure from an earlier authority. Through the ninth and tenth centuries, counts of Barcelona could call on traditions Carolingian practice within which count was usually considered first among many. In eleventh century, began to form a new feudal network based upon individual personal arrangements with their subordinates. This latter effort corresponded period crisis in Catalonia independent governance young Berenguer Ramon I, followed by minority his son, subsequent civil war reexertion comital authority means agreements were reflected convenientia. The convenientia emerged 1021, but Kosto extends examination back late searching out influences emerged. However, it remains unclear whether believes grew naturally previous documentary forms utilized counts, or introduced outside then adopted conform socio-political realities. opens Making Agreements description Muslim attacks 985 necessity rebuild reform society. He clearly intends argue that more than physical rebuilding required—archival practice, personnel, mental constructions power had be reformed. Which date, should beginning transformation Catalonia? Leaving choice between 1021 as possible initiation dates ambiguous allows attach argument easily various historiographical positions concerning revolution 1000. would have strength if he ignored periodization other regions, instead simply examined role played 1021. Here Kosto’s strongly supports idea sociopolitical structures changed significantly after date. this way, both revolution—although prefers —as argued Duby, Pierre-Poly Bournazel, places shift early Bonnassie Bisson proposed for Catalonia. Adam Medieval is extensively researched work thorough knowledge available archival sources. His concentration single quite effective choice. creation scribal formula about how why institutions underwent significant alteration twelfth centuries. officials created structure, managing relations powerful under auspices court. They achieved making nobles, castellans landholders success text witnessed adoption format those same nobles use dealings own GREGORY B. MILTON, History, UCLA Matthew Kuefler, Manly Eunuch: Masculinity, Gender Ambiguity, Christian Ideology Late Antiquity (Chicago London: University 251 Chicago Press 2001) x + 437 pp. What did mean man appear manly Ancient Rome? Antiquity, Kuefler argues notions masculinity, especially aristocracy, informed elite intellectual life Rome instrumental conversion Roman World Christianity. During third mid-fifth “the masculinity moved previously subordinated into position hegemonic rhetoric manliness unmanliness” (6). men yearned at least consequently, they deeply afraid being perceived otherwise. shapers ideology picked up obsession incorporated tradition. Thus converting Christianity, who may not been prototypically able elude stigma unmanliness. beauty book lies Kuefler’s subtle demonstration...
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies