FLORIN CURTA, editor. East Central and Eastern Europe in the Early Middle Ages. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. 2005. Pp. viii, 391. $75.00.
Charles J. Halperin
This excellent anthology on East Central and Eastern Europe ca. 500–1000 consists of eleven essays by scholars from eight countries. Half are expanded versions papers delivered at three sessions the 2000 2001 International Congresses Medieval Studies Kalamazoo, Michigan, remainder were solicited editor Florin Curta. The book is organized in parts. Part one, “Economic Social Structures,” contains four essays. Joachim Henning uses comparative archaeological analysis settlement patterns, agricultural structures, tools Pliska Bulgaria Büraburg-Fritzlar north Hesse, Germany, to conclude that an economic boundary underlay contrast between decentralized West centralized European political systems. Farmsteads or “true” villages, which appeared fourth fifth centuries, permitted landlords reap greater surpluses manorial system, whereas central government could collect rent directly more dispersed farms. Ironically, “normal” found almost everywhere along Mediterranean, was displaced force after 1000 when new states imposed system. Thus “abnormal” Western system became for East. highly compressed essay most challenging volume. Paul M. Barford analyses Polabian (former German) Polish archaeology consider significance “strongholds” situate northwest Slavs history. Alexandru Madgearu relies finds spurs, never used nomads, postulate existence Slavic Romanian military organizations Transylvania, whose salt mines controlled absentia nomadic powers. Nikolai I. Petrov examines evidence Ladoga, Ryurik's stronghold [Riurikovo gorodishche], Novgorod discuss Scandinavian-Russian interaction early Rus' history; his article marred quaint assumption Ryurik existed “tale summoning Varangians” reliable.
The American Historical Review