History and Geography in Late Antiquity [Paperback]

Examines the role of geography in the historical writings of the early medieval period.From the fifth to the eighth centuries, historians such as Orosius, Jordanes, Isidore of Seville and the Venerable Bede sought to make sense of their world. This title argues that, in order to explain how the Roman Empire fragmented into 'barbarian' states, they looked not only to events shaping the world, but also to its physical form. With this approach, the title not only provides fresh interpretations of four of the most important historians of the period but also draws broader conclusions on the relationship between 'historical' and 'geographical' writing.From the fifth to the eighth centuries, historians such as Orosius, Jordanes, Isidore of Seville and the Venerable Bede sought to make sense of their world. This title argues that, in order to explain how the Roman Empire fragmented into 'barbarian' states, they looked not only to events shaping the world, but also to its physical form. With this approach, the title not only provides fresh interpretations of four of the most important historians of the period but also draws broader conclusions on the relationship between 'historical' and 'geographical' writing.The civilized world witnessed massive political, social and religious change from the fifth century to the eighth century. Geographical and historical thought, long rooted to Roman ideologies, had to adopt new perspectives of late antiquity. Taking their lead from Orosius in the early fifth century, Latin historians turned increasingly to geographical description, as well as historical narrative, to examine the world around them. This book explores the interdependence of geographical and historical modes of expression in four of the most important writers of the period: Orosius, Jordanes, Isidore of Seville and the Venerable Bede.Introduction: History's other eye; 1. Orosius; 2. Jordanes; 3. Isidore; 4. Bede. With its compelling and cogent analysis, fine writing and inl*