AEMA IX CONFERENCE
Growth and Decay
The Dynamics of
Early Medieval Europe
Monday 11 February 2013
Monash University, Caulfield Campus
Early
medieval Europe (c. 400–1100) was a dynamic era in which the nexus
of power shifted away from the Mediterranean-centred
Roman Empire to the former ‘barbarians’ of the north. It saw the
triumph of Christianity over diverse traditional religions and the growth of a
powerful Church supported by nascent secular states. Technological advances in
agriculture, ship-building and warfare opened up new trade routes and
settlements, sometimes to the detriment of existing populations, but in places
also to their lasting benefit. This is the era of expanding urban growth beyond
the Roman Empire. With the burgeoning of urban trade-based settlements this
became a period of change in the domestic sphere. Migrations brought mixed
populations and new family relationships, and new ways of living. This was also
a period of linguistic change, with dominant cultures achieving some degree of
linguistic hegemony while minority languages produced some outstanding
literature. And yet those dominant cultures in places took on local qualities
from the minority cultures.
This
conference invites papers which address aspects of this theme and which reflect
on the linkage of growth and decay. Can growth be achieved without decay? Does
decay take place with no compensating growth? Can decay by one standard be
considered growth by another? And by what standards or values can such matters
really be judged?
Abstracts
of 250 words for 20-minute papers are now sought from interested participants.
Panel proposals (3 x 20-minute papers) are also welcome. All submissions
should be sent to: conference@aema.net.au by 20 December 2012.
Enquiries
should be directed to the conference convenors, Carol
Williams and John D’Alton, at conference@aema.net.au.
Limited
travel assistance may be available upon application, to support postgraduate
and ECR presenters travelling to Melbourne for this conference.
Download
the registration form
here.
Further details of keynote speakers, accommodation, etc coming soon.
The Australian Early Medieval Association encourages and supports
the study of the early medieval period by facilitating the exchange of ideas
and information amongst members. Membership of AEMA is encouraged, but not
required, to attend this conference. To join AEMA, send an email to membership@aema.net.au