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