HISTORY 354
Barbarians: Antiquity to Vikings
Please note: this is archived course information from 2017 for HISTORY 354.
Description
This course examines barbarians in Europe from antiquity to the early Middle Ages. It considers the origins and function of the concept of the barbarian among Greek and Roman writers and the changes which took place as barbarians took over the former Roman empire.
It also explores the idea of the barbarian in modern culture from the nineteenth century onwards, and the impact changing views have had on how we write the history of barbarians.
Particular themes are questions of identity, gender, violence and religion. The course includes case-studies of particular barbarian groups such as Vandals, Goths, Franks, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. Students will study archaeological sources relating to these groups, and will read a series of important texts, including Tacitus, Gregory of Tours, Bede and the Icelandic Sagas.
Availability 2017
Not taught in 2017
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator(s) Associate Professor Lisa Bailey
Points
HISTORY 354: 15 points
Prerequisites
15 points at Stage II in History and 60 points passed
Restrictions
HISTORY 254