Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-1250

Florin Curta, Professor of Medieval History Florin Curta, Paul Stephenson

Cambridge University Press, Aug 31, 2006 - History - 496 pages

Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages stood at a crossroads of trade and crusading routes and fell within the spheres of influence of both the Byzantine Orthodox Church and Latin Christendom. This authoritative survey draws on historical and archaeological sources in the narration of 750 years of the history of the region, including Romania, southern Ukraine, southern Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania and Greece. Exploring the social, political and economic changes marking the transition from late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages, this book addresses important themes such as the rise of medieval states, the conversion to Christianity, the monastic movement inspired by developments in Western Europe and in Byzantium, and the role of material culture (architecture, the arts and objects of daily life) in the representation of power.

What people are saying

User Review -

This book provides a very detailed account on the history of this region. The analysis given is very impartial and the facts presented are in many case obscure but highly important. One example is the reference of Blakumen on the Sjonhem cemetary runestone.
Curta's analysis is very strong, compelling, and complete. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to pursue a study of this region academically. 

Contents

• Front Cover: 38
• 1: 39
• the Roman frontier and the Balkan provinces behind it began: 40
• Justinians defense system The increasing number of payments and: 48
• to the Huns living north of the Danube who called: 53
• 2: 70
• subsequent years they focused on the eastern regions of the: 76
• the avars between 630 and 800 carantania: 90
• 3: 111
• did not include any materials comparable to those of northeastern: 147
• most likely Pliska The passes across the mountains were very: 150
• mentions Bulgar sentries posted on the borders to keep watch: 172
• 4: 180
• of the emerging power In recognition of the Venetian overlord: 201
• According to him the Bogomils believed that the creator of: 236
• the fall of bulgaria: 237
• 5: 248
• The Pechenegs raided Thrace again in 1077 while offering their: 300
• battle118 In fact the existing evidence indicates that while some: 310
• 6: 311
• Kirovohrad Ukraine In addition the Lower Danube region pro: 319
• the byzantinehungarian wars and: 328
• central Serbia his own foundation of c 1183 The Church: 336
• realm including Kotor Nevertheless through its impressive palatial: 338
• count of Dabˆaca 1164 Thomas count of Cluj 1177 Nicholas: 356
• small village located next to an older royal fort whose: 357
• 7: 366
• Coloman immediately began quarreling while some local lords: 389
• transylvania and the cumans: 400
• 8: 415
• cultivation3 This picture is confirmed by archaeological excavations: 417
• pastoralism was indeed an economic strategy associated with: 422
• society: 424
• religion: 431

About the author

Florin Curta is Associate Professor of Medieval History and Archaeology, Department of History, University of Florida.

Florin Curta is Associate Professor of Medieval History and Archaeology, Department of History, University of Florida.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500-1250; Cambridge Medieval Textbooks
• Authors: Florin Curta, Professor of Medieval History Florin Curta, Paul Stephenson
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006
• ISBN: 0521815398, 9780521815390
• Length: 496 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / Eastern; History / Europe / General; History / Europe / Medieval