When we hear the word "Colonialism" most of us think either of modern history or antiquity but very few of us look into the middle ages when it comes to Colonialism. But even though roman or british colonies might be prominent in our minds, the mechanisms of Colonialism can be found everywhere. In this workshop we want to look at medieval forms of Colonialism, be it the military and economic aspects of crusades, be it the economy of pilgrimage or the networks of far trading. And even if these examples are still centered on the mediterranean area, we will not limit ourselves to this euro-centric viewpoint and want to look at sources from all over the world. We want to look at how economic, military or religious factors interacted in the medieval period to create situations that we can think of as colonialism and analyze with the methods the study of Colonialism has given us.
Raphael Maria Päbst has studied Computer Science, is currently studying medieval history and writes his PhD thesis in early modern philosophy of religion. When he is not drinking tea, reading or writing books, he is a serf in the pits of consumer capitalism, toiling endlessly in the entertainment industry.
He and Maria Ludovica Pizzuti will be the workshopleaders for 'Colonialism in the Middle Ages'.
He and Maria Ludovica Pizzuti will be the workshopleaders for 'Colonialism in the Middle Ages'.
WORKSHOP IMAGE
Detail of the Alhambra Palace.