'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' - Programme and Registration The fortunes of individuals, communities and states in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages were far from fixed certainties, and whilst any number of sudden crises and exigencies could bring fortunes crashing down, there was also ample opportunity for them to be built up, transformed, and consolidated. Therefore, securing one’s fortunes, be they political, economic or spiritual, was of paramount importance to all members of late antique and medieval societies. Whether in the imperial cities of Constantinople and Rome, the caliphal courts of Baghdad, Cordoba and Cairo, or in the courts of Paris and Léon, decisions were made, edicts and chrysobulls were issued, taxes were raised, theologies were disputed, and wars were waged, all in the name of securing the good fortune of ruling interests. Beyond the actions of caliphs, emperors and kings, one is greeted by an assortment of ways in which individuals and communities sought to enhance their own fortunes, be it through pious dedications, participation in religious ritual, production or patronage of literature, economic activities or acts of rebellion. On the other hand, a drop in fortunes could be heralded by environmental factors, such as plague, famine, drought, or through instances of external and internal conflict like invasion, civil war and fitnah. This conference aims to focus on this theme of shifting fortunes through a diverse interdisciplinary lens, and examines both the factors underpinning change, as well as the various processes and dynamics through which the creation, consolidation, and collapse of fortunes came to pass.The conference will take place in person on the 22nd and 23rd of April and will also be streamed via Zoom. Day 1 will be in the Teviot Lecture Theatre (Doorway 5 - Old Medical School), day 2 in Lecture Theatre C, 40 George Square. Conference programme (PDF) Document Programme for 'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' (341.79 KB / PDF) Registration To register, please follow the Eventbrite link. Please note, there is a £20 registration fee for non-Edinburgh attendees, payable through the link below. Non-University of Edinburgh registration fee payment Conference dinner For anyone who also wishes to attend the conference dinner, at their own expense, please email byzantine.pg@ed.ac.uk by Friday the 18th of April. Apr 22 2025 - Apr 23 2025 'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' - Programme and Registration The programme for the 6th International Graduate Conference in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies has been announced. Register now! University of Edinburgh Old Medical School and 40 George Square Central Campus Register
'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' - Programme and Registration The fortunes of individuals, communities and states in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages were far from fixed certainties, and whilst any number of sudden crises and exigencies could bring fortunes crashing down, there was also ample opportunity for them to be built up, transformed, and consolidated. Therefore, securing one’s fortunes, be they political, economic or spiritual, was of paramount importance to all members of late antique and medieval societies. Whether in the imperial cities of Constantinople and Rome, the caliphal courts of Baghdad, Cordoba and Cairo, or in the courts of Paris and Léon, decisions were made, edicts and chrysobulls were issued, taxes were raised, theologies were disputed, and wars were waged, all in the name of securing the good fortune of ruling interests. Beyond the actions of caliphs, emperors and kings, one is greeted by an assortment of ways in which individuals and communities sought to enhance their own fortunes, be it through pious dedications, participation in religious ritual, production or patronage of literature, economic activities or acts of rebellion. On the other hand, a drop in fortunes could be heralded by environmental factors, such as plague, famine, drought, or through instances of external and internal conflict like invasion, civil war and fitnah. This conference aims to focus on this theme of shifting fortunes through a diverse interdisciplinary lens, and examines both the factors underpinning change, as well as the various processes and dynamics through which the creation, consolidation, and collapse of fortunes came to pass.The conference will take place in person on the 22nd and 23rd of April and will also be streamed via Zoom. Day 1 will be in the Teviot Lecture Theatre (Doorway 5 - Old Medical School), day 2 in Lecture Theatre C, 40 George Square. Conference programme (PDF) Document Programme for 'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' (341.79 KB / PDF) Registration To register, please follow the Eventbrite link. Please note, there is a £20 registration fee for non-Edinburgh attendees, payable through the link below. Non-University of Edinburgh registration fee payment Conference dinner For anyone who also wishes to attend the conference dinner, at their own expense, please email byzantine.pg@ed.ac.uk by Friday the 18th of April. Apr 22 2025 - Apr 23 2025 'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' - Programme and Registration The programme for the 6th International Graduate Conference in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies has been announced. Register now! University of Edinburgh Old Medical School and 40 George Square Central Campus Register
Apr 22 2025 - Apr 23 2025 'Shifting Fortunes in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages' - Programme and Registration The programme for the 6th International Graduate Conference in Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies has been announced. Register now!
