The Merovingian Kingdoms and the Mediterranean World: Revisiting the Sources
Cohen
One of the most productive trends in study Merovingians—and indeed early medieval period more generally—has been blurring boundaries that supposedly divided various post-Roman polities fifth and sixth centuries (and beyond). Eschewing “what happens Gaul, stays Gaul” approach, essays this volume, which grew out a collaboration funded by German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research Development (GIF), emphasize myriad connections linked Merovingian kingdoms chronologically to Romans before Carolingians after geographically Spain, Britain, Ostrogothic, Byzantine, Lombard Italy, North Africa, Byzantine Empire. With methodological approach as its foundation, each volume's thirteen essays, into four subsections, begins with an extended quotation from source drawn variety different genres, including historical writing, geographical excurses, letters, leges, ordines, chronicles, although obvious reasons Gregory Tours makes his presence felt repeatedly. These quotations, some appear English translation first time, serve jumping-off point thinking about methodological, textual, interpretive issues related sources history embedded Mediterranean context.Part I, titled “Setting Context Post Roman World,” consists two papers, Yitzhak Hen Helmut Reimitz. Hen's examination Expositio totius mundi et gentium, mid-fourth-century geographic economic survey late Empire beyond, illuminates intersection between writing period. While common feature second century CE, short digressions otherwise texts disappeared, according Hen, until it was revived fifth-century West. Reimitz's contribution compares Tour's account Council Mâcon 585 surviving canons synod. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Reimitz detects stark difference emphases. Where bishops, leaning on canon law, attempted define “the clergy separate social order bishops at top new hierarchy,” Gregory, contrast, sought minimize legal precedent promote “a Christian vision community kingdom,” rooted lex Dei (24).Part II, “Mediterranean Ties Diplomacy,” contains examine, title suggests, diplomatic linking Gaul wider world. In chapter 3, Anna Gehler-Rachůnek considers Frankish world, Visigothic kingdom, Empire, through lens marriage negotiations, situating conversion Visigoths Catholicism under Reccared within larger context. useful complement Gehler-Rachůnek's essay, Hope Willard's stimulating investigates amicitia diplomacy Histories Tours. one strongest chapters book, Willard demonstrates how amicitia—a word, tends evoke only positive connotations modern readers—was understood much ambivalently who applied term range often instrumental relationships. Personal friendship, veneer obscuring ambition manipulation. And when he uses describe relationships political communities, appears tool used rulers, especially those weak positions, bolster their positions powerful men. Part II concludes Bruno Dumézil Yaniv Fox, both investigate Epistolae Austrasicae, letter collection argues compiled initiative Magneric, bishop Trier, followers century. Fox's takes up rhetoric communication Emperor Maurice Childerbert preserved among Austrasicae.The composing part III examine law religion. Lukas Bothe's amusingly named Homesick Blues describes barbarian leges appropriated protect interests slaveholders, frontier regions, danger shrinking labor military) force resulted “illegal” seizure sale men women beyond frontiers. This also reminds us our understanding slavery must be situated context trade, but precedents. following chapter, Till Stüber vexing topic Three Chapters Controversy reception Gaul. Highlighting theological dispute expediency, “theological church-related knowledge likely transmitted if aligned aims respective rulers” (102). is amply illustrated imperfect controversy Gallic attended Orléans 549 CE. ends contributions Rob Meens Tamar Rotman. discusses eighth-century Gellone Sacramentary's ordo purifying rededicating defiled altar, while Rotman Tours's encounter ascetic Vulfilaic, lived pillar imitation famous eastern stylites like Simeon.The final section, “Shifting Perspectives: Emperors, Tributes Propaganda,” three consider depictions rulers. Pia Lucas's examines superficial “cardboard-character” portrayal Tiberius (574/8–582). Lucas mobilized foil against other Byzantine—but importantly, Merovingian—rulers could compared and, case Chilperic unfavorably contrasted. Of course, rhetorical device; shows, Gregory's use device knew quite bit similar vein, Stefan Esders depiction Heraclius Constans Chronicle Fredegar. As author well informed affairs east. The volume excellent Federico Montinaro, chronological discrepancies later updates Theophanes Confessor (d. 817/818) demonstrate dependence sources. Montinaro's conclusions parallel Esders, all nicely illustrate interconnectivity worlds.Taken together, raise interesting questions regarding we think history. For instance, renewed emphasis geography during dislocation, argues, can novel way integrate barbarians not merely historian, Reimitz, Gehler-Rachůnek, Willard, Rotman, demonstrate, ways, histories actor them, man deeply society described—even descriptions cannot taken face value—and shaped reshaped past own purposes. Chronicles are than repository information; Montinaro argue, they polemical documents provide insight Mediterranean-wide world perspective authors, hinting networks east west. Letter collections too sum parts. Dumézil, highlight importance letters intentionality collections, which, were specific purposes intended convey particular perspective, worthy collections. demonstrates, reinterpreted repurposed contexts centrality slave trade economy beyond. Finally, Meen's fascinating altars illustrates liturgy, often-neglected area research, shed light evolving ideas sacrality sacred space, pollution, ritual.As readers journal know, Mediterranean, subject framework premodern history, has grown popularity recent decades. why so interpretively fruitful, particularly undermining essentialist interpretations Middle Ages. words “deeply politics culture: inner workings means sever them these links” (3). Importantly, editors authors do conceive terms. notes, scholars fail continuities language link Merovingians antecedents, artificially “disconnect antique precedents leaving gap writers responded precedents” (42). Her observation programmatic book whole.The itself produced. minor annoyance insistence publishers books pitched academic audience employ endnotes rather footnotes, citations needlessly tedious. But biggest shortcoming short—often fully address important raise. chapters, averaging around twelve pages length, underdeveloped. noticeable introduction conclusion, have done place field situate individual firmly relationship another. To take example: exchange, specifically analyses Henri Pirenne Michael McCormick, addressed explicitly several implicitly more. It would strand had teased is. On hand, many contributions, exposed reader topics introduced (at least me) voices alongside established scholars. applauded. Indeed, perhaps book's greatest strength, graduate students early-career strongest.
[Mediterranean studies]