93590 - History of the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide a better understanding of the political, institutional, economic, social, and cultural phenomena that characterised Medieval Europe, focusing on the Mediterranean countries and their relationship with the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic world (before the emergence of the ‘new’ Atlantic space). At the end of the course, students will be able: (1) to understand the process of formation of the Medieval civilizations and their monumental and documentary heritage; (2) to identify which factors modified the geopolitical role of the Mediterranean countries and influenced the preservation of their archaeological, artistic, and literary/documentary heritage; (3) to critically and independently approach the study of new topics using the knowledge acquired during the course.

Course contents

1. Mare Nostrum: introduction to the course and to the concepts of ‘Middle Ages’ and ‘Mediterranean’. Methodology of historical research.

2. The legacy of Rome: transformations of the Mediterranean area between Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages. Migrations. The Barbarian kingdoms. The ‘people with long beards’. The Franks.

3. Case study: Food in Mediterranean cultures between matter, symbol, identity, and faith.

4. The plurality of Islam.

5. Byzantium, the Slavs, and the Byzantine commonwealth. The Sea of Caliphs. Jewish communities in the Mediterranean.

6. Charlemagne’s elephant. The Church and the spread of monasticism.

7. Byzantium and the sea. The Ottonian Empire. The ‘Reconquista’. Empire, war, and the sacred.

8. Political, social, religious, and economic changes between the 10th and 11th centuries. The ‘men from the north’ go south.

9. The Seljuk Turks. Merchants, monks, pilgrims, and warriors. The "Crusades".

10. Case study. Going to sea: routes, trade, life on board.

11. Case study. Navigation techniques in the Middle Ages.

12. Swabians, Angevins, and the House of Aragon in the Mediterranean. The Gryphon and the Lion.

13. Europe, the Mediterranean and cities between the 13th and 14th centuries.The 14th century: economic and religious issues, conflicts, and the Black Death.

14. Mongols, Mamluks and Turks. The fall of Constantinople and the birth of the Ottoman Empire. From the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

The order and type of topics discussed may change according to didactic needs.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbook: Lorenzo Tanzini, Francesco Paolo Tocco, Un Medioevo mediterraneo. Mille anni tra Oriente e Occidente, Roma, Carocci, 2020.

Students should also know the analysed sources and the lecture materials (uploaded on the Iol website). Finally, an additional in-depth reading, prepared independently, is required. It must be chosen from:

- Antonio Musarra, Medioevo marinaro. Prendere il mare nell’Italia medievale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.

- Antonio Musarra, Le crociate: l’idea, la storia, il mito, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2022.

- Antonio Musarra, Il Grifo e il Leone. Genova e Venezia in lotta per il Mediterraneo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2020.

- Amedeo Feniello, Sotto il segno del Leone. Storia dell’Italia musulmana, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019.

- Ermanno Orlando, Le repubbliche marinare, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.

Non-attending students must add a second text (chosen from the above-mentioned bibliography) to the indicated readings. Alternatively, a personalised study plan can be agreed with the professor. To increase learning, non-attending students are also encouraged to read: Franco Cardini, Marina Montesano, Storia medievale, Second edition, Milano, Le Monnier Università, 2019, in association with the textbook.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of lectures that may be integrated with workshop or seminar activities on specific subjects. Active participation of students is strongly recommended as a selection of fundamental sources will be analysed in class. The slides and materials used will be uploaded on online platforms. A knowledge of Latin is useful but not necessary, as Italian translations of the sources will be provided. Regular attendance is strongly recommended. Students unable to attend are invited to contact the professor by appointment or during office hours.

Assessment methods

The final exam will consist of a written multiple-choice[FF1] [#_msocom_1] test and an oral interview. The oral interview will begin with the presentation of a topic chosen by the student. The final assessment will also be determined by the following criteria: the student’s contributions during the class or in the forum; any in-depth studies agreed with the professor; and participation in seminars and conferences on medieval studies indicated by the professor.

To pass the exam, the student must be able to:

- identify the main socio-cultural, economic, and institutional processes that characterised the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages;

- offer a critical reading of the processes of cultural intersection;

- be familiar with the specific terminology inherent to the topics covered;

- meaningfully connect the themes and sources analysed during the course.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be delivered interactively using e-learning materials. Teaching materials will be made available on dedicated platforms. Students will be able to participate in the forum, which will serve as a tool for dialogue and engagement throughout the course.

Office hours

See the website of Angelica Aurora Montanari