- Institute for Medieval Research
Austrian Academy of Sciences
Wohllebengasse 12-14
1040 Vienna, Austria - 0043-(0)1-51581-3447
Mapping Medieval Conflict
Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Medieval Research, Department Member
- History, Archaeology, Theology, Cultural History, Ancient History, Medieval History, and 29 moreMedieval Studies, Byzantine Studies, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, Historical Network Research, Historical network analysis, Political Theory, Social Networks, Digital Humanities, Violence, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Complexity Theory, Political Violence, Data Visualization, International Political Theory, Social Conflict Theory, Late Medieval History, Late Byzantine history, History of Political Violence, Historical Sociology, Mediterranean Studies, Byzantine History, Social Sciences, Global History, Comparative History, Historical GIS, Medieval Church History, Late Antiquity, Economic History, and Strontium Isotope Analysisedit
- Mapping medieval conflicts: a digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period (MEDCON) Funded... moreMapping medieval conflicts: a digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period (MEDCON)
Funded within the go!digital-Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW)
Host Institution: Institute for Medieval Research. OEAW (IMAFO)
PI: Dr. J. Preiser-Kapeller, IMAFO (Email: Johannes.Preiser-Kapeller@oeaw.ac.at)
While the term “network” has been used abundantly in historical research in the last years, the actual number of studies taking into account the methodology of network analysis is still limited. The reluctance of historians to adapt tools of network analysis can be also connected with the conceptual and terminological divide between humanities and formal sciences. At the same time, the user-friendliness of software tools tempts others to use them as “black boxes” in order to produce a variety of figures without being aware of the underlying concepts.
Against this background, the aims of MEDCON are:
• The adaptation and combination of a set of software tools which facilitates the relational survey of medieval sources and the visualisation and quantitative analysis of social and spatial networks (using an open source database application named “OpenATLAS”, developed by S. Eichert)
• The development of case studies demonstrating a “best practice” of the application and evaluation of tools of network analysis for medieval history (distribution as open data)
• The creation of an online platform for the exploration of data, methods and results by the wider public (open access)
A generalizable work flow from data input on the basis of medieval sources to the creation, visualisation and analysis of social and spatial network models and their web-based publication and presentation will be established. In order to demonstrate this in detail, MEDCON will focus on the analysis of political networks and conflict among power elites across medieval Europe with five case studies:
• Fluctuation between opposing parties in the struggle for the German throne 1198-1208 (A. Rzihacek, R. Spreitzer)
• Coalitions in the war of Emperor Sigismund against Duke Frederick IV of Tyrol (G. Katzler)
• Emperor Frederick III Friedrich III. and the League of the Mailberger coalition in 1451/527 (K. Holzner-Tobisch)
• Factions and alliances in the fight of Maximilian I for Burgundy (S. Dünnebeil)
• Political factions in 14th cent. Byzantium (J. Preiser-Kapeller)
We will evaluate the explanatory power of these tools for phenomena of political conflict in medieval societies; thereby, we will provide a set of “best practice” examples of historical network analysis. MEDCON uses the relational structuring provided by modern software not simply as instrument for the organisation of data, but as heuristic tool for the reconstruction and analysis of the relational character of social phenomena of the past which is at the same time also of high relevance for modern-day discussions on the (in)stability of political frameworks. Thus, also the additional benefit of digital tools beyond data collection and their potential to allow for new research questions and analytical results will be demonstrated.edit
Visualisation of the workflow and dissemination strategies of the project "Mapping medieval conflicts: a digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period (MEDCON)" funded within the go!digital-framework of the Austrian... more
Visualisation of the workflow and dissemination strategies of the project "Mapping medieval conflicts: a digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period (MEDCON)" funded within the go!digital-framework of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and hosted at the Institute for Medieval Research of the OEAW in Vienna.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: History, Digital Humanities, Social Networks, Medieval History, Political Theory, and 19 moreViolence, Medieval Studies, Complexity Theory, History of Political Violence, Byzantine Studies, Political Violence, Social Network Analysis (SNA), Late Byzantine history, Social Conflict Theory, Medieval Political Thought, International Political Theory, Data Visualization, Historical Network Research, Late Medieval History, Historical network analysis, Social Network Analysis (Medieval Studies), Emperor Sigismund (1368-1437), Conflict Theory, and Historical Data Analysis using Social Networks
This short study is a first attempt to apply some tools which have been adopted for the analysis of temporal dynamics in the Late Medieval Period† to the early medieval world. The study is also inspired by the recent works of... more
This short study is a first attempt to apply some tools which have been adopted for the analysis of
temporal dynamics in the Late Medieval Period† to the early medieval world. The study is also
inspired by the recent works of KOKKONEN/SUNDELL (2012), who inspected if primogeniture influenced
the durability of reigns in Europe in the period between 1000 and 1800 CE, and of BLAYDES/CHANEY
(2013), who analysed for a big sample of polities the dynamics of ruler change for medieval Europe
and the Islamic world before 1500 CE. The aim of the present study is more modest and does not
include the creation of elaborate mathematical models as did KOKKONEN/SUNDELL and BLAYDES/CHANEY.
With several statistical tools, a smaller sample of polities in the period 0-800 CE is inspected with
regard to the sequence and duration of reigns, differentiated along the qualification if a reign was
initiated “violently” or “non-violently”. Thereby, the general durability of reigns, the possible
persistency of periods of frequent violent ruler-change and the temporal dynamics of these “games
of thrones”, which not only affected rulers and dynasties as well as courts and nobilities, but also
entire societies and polities, across longer periods of time will be illustrated. Differences and
commonalities of polities from various regions of the early medieval world will become visible. At the
same time, the value of such quantitative analyses for research on a period for which source
evidence is often characterised as insufficient for such attempts will be highlighted.
temporal dynamics in the Late Medieval Period† to the early medieval world. The study is also
inspired by the recent works of KOKKONEN/SUNDELL (2012), who inspected if primogeniture influenced
the durability of reigns in Europe in the period between 1000 and 1800 CE, and of BLAYDES/CHANEY
(2013), who analysed for a big sample of polities the dynamics of ruler change for medieval Europe
and the Islamic world before 1500 CE. The aim of the present study is more modest and does not
include the creation of elaborate mathematical models as did KOKKONEN/SUNDELL and BLAYDES/CHANEY.
With several statistical tools, a smaller sample of polities in the period 0-800 CE is inspected with
regard to the sequence and duration of reigns, differentiated along the qualification if a reign was
initiated “violently” or “non-violently”. Thereby, the general durability of reigns, the possible
persistency of periods of frequent violent ruler-change and the temporal dynamics of these “games
of thrones”, which not only affected rulers and dynasties as well as courts and nobilities, but also
entire societies and polities, across longer periods of time will be illustrated. Differences and
commonalities of polities from various regions of the early medieval world will become visible. At the
same time, the value of such quantitative analyses for research on a period for which source
evidence is often characterised as insufficient for such attempts will be highlighted.
Research Interests:
The 14th century in Byzantium was a time of both exogenous pressure and internal conflict within the elite, starting with the civil wars between the factions of the Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III in the... more
The 14th century in Byzantium was a time of both exogenous pressure and internal conflict within the elite, starting with the civil wars between the factions of the Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III in the years 1321-1328. In order to analyse the structure and composition of these factions, on the basis of both diplomatic and narrative sources, we created a network model of the “dynatoi”, the most powerful noblemen for the period from 1315 to 1321, with 139 nodes and 381 ties (of family connections, allegiance and alliance)
Research Interests:
Presentation given at the 2014 EEA Conference in Istanbul at the Session "Old Worlds, New Histories: Towards an Integration Of Archaeological And Historical Data-Sets". OpenATLAS will provide the data base infrastructure for Mapping... more
Presentation given at the 2014 EEA Conference in Istanbul at the Session "Old Worlds, New Histories: Towards an Integration Of Archaeological And Historical Data-Sets".
OpenATLAS will provide the data base infrastructure for Mapping Medieval Conflicts.
OpenATLAS will provide the data base infrastructure for Mapping Medieval Conflicts.
Research Interests:
Poster presented at the CHNT-Conference 2014 in Vienna. (with Viktor Jansa). This poster won the Award in the Category "Cultural Heritage"
Research Interests:
Johannes Preiser-Kapeller is the PI of the MEDCON and responsible for the case study on 14th century Byzantium.
Research Interests:
Sonja Dünnebeil is Researcher at the Institute for Medieval Research of the ÖAW, working on the Edition of the proceedings of the Order of Golden Fleece, refunded by the FWF P 25157-G18 „ The Order of Golden Fleece between Loyalty and... more
Sonja Dünnebeil is Researcher at the Institute for Medieval Research of the ÖAW, working on the Edition of the proceedings of the Order of Golden Fleece, refunded by the FWF P 25157-G18 „ The Order of Golden Fleece between Loyalty and Felony (1484-1493)“. Within MEDCON, she is responsible for the case study on Factions and alliances in the fight of Maximilian I for Burgundy.
Research Interests:
Stefan Eichert is a specialist for the archaeology of early medieval Central Europe as well as for archaeological databasis and GIS-analysis; within MEDCON he is responsible for the adaptation and further development of the data base... more
Stefan Eichert is a specialist for the archaeology of early medieval Central Europe as well as for archaeological databasis and GIS-analysis; within MEDCON he is responsible for the adaptation and further development of the data base system OpenATLAS, invented by him.
Research Interests:
Kornelia Holzner-Tobisch is head of the department Regesta Imperii Wien (http://www.oeaw.ac.at/imafo/die-abteilungen/editionsunternehmen-und-quellenforschung-mir/ag-regesta-imperii/) at IMAFO. Within MEDCON, she is responsible for the... more
Kornelia Holzner-Tobisch is head of the department Regesta Imperii Wien (http://www.oeaw.ac.at/imafo/die-abteilungen/editionsunternehmen-und-quellenforschung-mir/ag-regesta-imperii/) at IMAFO. Within MEDCON, she is responsible for the case study "Emperor Frederick III and the League of the Mailberger coalition in 1451/52".
Research Interests:
Günter Katzler is Research fellow at the Institute for Medieval Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences at the FWF Project „Balancing Power: Sigismund’s Politics in Constance 1414–1418“. Within MEDCON, he is responsible for the... more
Günter Katzler is Research fellow at the Institute for Medieval Research of the Austrian Academy of Sciences at the FWF Project „Balancing Power: Sigismund’s Politics in Constance 1414–1418“. Within MEDCON, he is responsible for the casestudy on the conflict between Emperor Sigismund and Frederick IV, Duke of Austria and Tyrol, at the time of the Council of Constance.
Research Interests:
Andrea Rzihacek is head of the workinggroup “Wiener Diplomata-Abteilung der Monumenta Germaniae Historica” at the IMAFO and within MEDCON together with Renate Spreitzer responsible for the case study "Fluctuation between opposing parties... more
Andrea Rzihacek is head of the workinggroup “Wiener Diplomata-Abteilung der Monumenta Germaniae Historica” at the IMAFO and within MEDCON together with Renate Spreitzer responsible for the case study "Fluctuation between opposing parties in the struggle for the German throne 1198-1208"
Research Interests:
Renate Spreitzer is Researcher at the Institute für Medieval Research and member of the working group Wiener Diplomata-Abteilung der Monumenta Germaniae Historica... more
Renate Spreitzer is Researcher at the Institute für Medieval Research and member of the working group Wiener Diplomata-Abteilung der Monumenta Germaniae Historica (http://www.oeaw.ac.at/imafo/die-abteilungen/editionsunternehmen-und-quellenforschung-mir/ag-diplomata-der-mgh/). Within MEDCON, she is working on the case study on "Fluctuations between opposing parties in the struggle for the German throne 1198-1208" together with Andrea Rzihacek
Research Interests:
• Fluctuation between opposing parties in the struggle for the German throne 1198-1208 (A. Rzihacek, R. Spreitzer) After Emperor Henry VI´s death the majority of the German princes elected his younger brother Philipp of Swabia as king,... more
• Fluctuation between opposing parties in the struggle for the German throne 1198-1208
(A. Rzihacek, R. Spreitzer)
After Emperor Henry VI´s death the majority of the German princes elected his younger brother Philipp of Swabia as king, whereas a minor part chose the Guelph Otto IV, which caused years of political unrest, fluctuating coalitions and violent encounters. By 1208, due to Philipp´s success, the pope was considering to crown him emperor, when Philipp was assassinated in June the same year, leaving Otto to gain the imperial crown in 1209. The study will investigate the two parties of electors of 1198, the fluctuation between the two groups and their alliances with external powers, such as the Papacy, France, England and Byzantium.
• Coalitions in the war of Emperor Sigismund against Duke Frederick IV of Tyrol
(G. Katzler)
The Council of Constance (1414–1418) saw the outbreak of a conflict between Emperor Sigismund and the Duke Frederick IV of Tyrol over predominance in the German south-west. In a short period of time, the king managed to win several local nobles and towns to join him in a war (“Reichskrieg”), with numerous former allies of the duke using the opportunity to change sides. Eventually, the network of coalitions and loyalties proved so strong on both sides that the war resulted in a peace from which neither side emerged as a winner.
• Emperor Frederick III and the League of the Mailberger coalition in 1451/52 (K. Holzner-Tobisch)
The League of Mailberg (1451), which was formed against Emperor Frederick III (1440-1493), is generally seen as one of the most powerful political movements of the estates in Austrian history. It found its “material” manifestation in a charter featuring as many as 254 seals and bears witness of a very dense and successful structure of communication (fig. 2). Establishing this network of opposing aristocrats, prelates and towns extended over a period of several months. It also provided the basis for a supra-regional alliance with Hungary and the Counts of Cilli against Frederick III.
• Factions and alliances in the fight of Maximilian I for Burgundy (S. Dünnebeil)
The Dukes of Burgundy reigned over a conglomeration of dominions that lacked a common identity and were only held together by means of a strict regime. After the last male descendant had died, Mary was left as sole heiress who, in an effort to safeguard her inheritance, married the emperor´s son, Maximilian I. Mary´s death in 1482 resulted in a breakdown of law and order, which prompted various individuals and groups to secure their share of power. The network analysis aims at a structural survey of the various groups in this time of crisis between 1482 and 1488. Furthermore, it will shed light on the motives of the persons involved.
• Political factions in 14th cent. Byzantium (J. Preiser-Kapeller)
The 14th century in Byzantium was a time of both exogenous pressure and internal conflict within the elite, starting with the civil wars between the factions of the Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III in the years 1321-1328 until the conflict between John V, Manuel II and John VII in 1390. We will map and analyse the networks of these rulers and their followers for several time slices in their temporal and spatial dynamics.
(A. Rzihacek, R. Spreitzer)
After Emperor Henry VI´s death the majority of the German princes elected his younger brother Philipp of Swabia as king, whereas a minor part chose the Guelph Otto IV, which caused years of political unrest, fluctuating coalitions and violent encounters. By 1208, due to Philipp´s success, the pope was considering to crown him emperor, when Philipp was assassinated in June the same year, leaving Otto to gain the imperial crown in 1209. The study will investigate the two parties of electors of 1198, the fluctuation between the two groups and their alliances with external powers, such as the Papacy, France, England and Byzantium.
• Coalitions in the war of Emperor Sigismund against Duke Frederick IV of Tyrol
(G. Katzler)
The Council of Constance (1414–1418) saw the outbreak of a conflict between Emperor Sigismund and the Duke Frederick IV of Tyrol over predominance in the German south-west. In a short period of time, the king managed to win several local nobles and towns to join him in a war (“Reichskrieg”), with numerous former allies of the duke using the opportunity to change sides. Eventually, the network of coalitions and loyalties proved so strong on both sides that the war resulted in a peace from which neither side emerged as a winner.
• Emperor Frederick III and the League of the Mailberger coalition in 1451/52 (K. Holzner-Tobisch)
The League of Mailberg (1451), which was formed against Emperor Frederick III (1440-1493), is generally seen as one of the most powerful political movements of the estates in Austrian history. It found its “material” manifestation in a charter featuring as many as 254 seals and bears witness of a very dense and successful structure of communication (fig. 2). Establishing this network of opposing aristocrats, prelates and towns extended over a period of several months. It also provided the basis for a supra-regional alliance with Hungary and the Counts of Cilli against Frederick III.
• Factions and alliances in the fight of Maximilian I for Burgundy (S. Dünnebeil)
The Dukes of Burgundy reigned over a conglomeration of dominions that lacked a common identity and were only held together by means of a strict regime. After the last male descendant had died, Mary was left as sole heiress who, in an effort to safeguard her inheritance, married the emperor´s son, Maximilian I. Mary´s death in 1482 resulted in a breakdown of law and order, which prompted various individuals and groups to secure their share of power. The network analysis aims at a structural survey of the various groups in this time of crisis between 1482 and 1488. Furthermore, it will shed light on the motives of the persons involved.
• Political factions in 14th cent. Byzantium (J. Preiser-Kapeller)
The 14th century in Byzantium was a time of both exogenous pressure and internal conflict within the elite, starting with the civil wars between the factions of the Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III in the years 1321-1328 until the conflict between John V, Manuel II and John VII in 1390. We will map and analyse the networks of these rulers and their followers for several time slices in their temporal and spatial dynamics.
Research Interests:
http://science.apa.at/rubrik/kultur_und_gesellschaft/Historiker_arbeiten_am_Facebook_des_Mittelalters/SCI_20140930_SCI39351351620529500
Austrian Press Agency, September 30th 2014
Austrian Press Agency, September 30th 2014
Research Interests:
http://diepresse.com/home/zeitgeschichte/3878258/Historiker-arbeiten-am-Facebook-des-Mittelalters?from=gl.home_zeitreise Die Presse-Online, September 30th 2014 Die Presse am Samstag, October 4th 2013:... more
http://diepresse.com/home/zeitgeschichte/3878258/Historiker-arbeiten-am-Facebook-des-Mittelalters?from=gl.home_zeitreise
Die Presse-Online, September 30th 2014
Die Presse am Samstag, October 4th 2013:
http://diepresse.com/home/science/3880382/Historiker-arbeiten-an-Facebook-des-Mittelalters
Die Presse-Online, September 30th 2014
Die Presse am Samstag, October 4th 2013:
http://diepresse.com/home/science/3880382/Historiker-arbeiten-an-Facebook-des-Mittelalters
Research Interests:
http://derstandard.at/2000006214750/Historiker-arbeiten-am-Facebook-des-Mittelalters
Der Standard-Online, September 30th 2014
Der Standard-Online, September 30th 2014
Research Interests:
http://www.wienerzeitung.at/themen_channel/wissen/geschichte/664649_Das-Facebook-des-Mittelalters.html
Wiener Zeitung online, September 30th 2014
Wiener Zeitung online, September 30th 2014
Research Interests:
Das Jahr 1198 markiert mit der Doppelwahl des Staufers Philipp und des Welfen Otto IV. den Beginn einer der schwersten politischen Krisen des Hochmittelalters, die das gesamte Heilige Römische Reich erfasste und durch beider... more
Das Jahr 1198 markiert mit der Doppelwahl des Staufers Philipp und des Welfen Otto IV. den
Beginn einer der schwersten politischen Krisen des Hochmittelalters, die das gesamte Heilige
Römische Reich erfasste und durch beider außenpolitische Verbindungen sowie die Parteinahme
des Papstes gesamteuropäische Dimension erlangte. Regierungszeit und Urkundenwesen
Philipps sind stark von kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen, wechselnden Allianzen
und politischen Wirren geprägt. Die Edition seiner Urkunden umfasst insgesamt 216 Nummern,
darunter auch die von Philipp als Herzog von Tuszien und als Herzog von Schwaben
ausgestellten Urkunden sowie die Urkunden seiner Gemahlin Irene/Maria.
Beginn einer der schwersten politischen Krisen des Hochmittelalters, die das gesamte Heilige
Römische Reich erfasste und durch beider außenpolitische Verbindungen sowie die Parteinahme
des Papstes gesamteuropäische Dimension erlangte. Regierungszeit und Urkundenwesen
Philipps sind stark von kriegerischen Auseinandersetzungen, wechselnden Allianzen
und politischen Wirren geprägt. Die Edition seiner Urkunden umfasst insgesamt 216 Nummern,
darunter auch die von Philipp als Herzog von Tuszien und als Herzog von Schwaben
ausgestellten Urkunden sowie die Urkunden seiner Gemahlin Irene/Maria.
Research Interests:
Time: Thursday, 19 February 2015, 14:00-17:15 Venue: Institute for Medieval Research (IMAFO), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Wohllebengasse 12-14 (Seminar rooms, ground floor), 1040 Vienna Organiser: Project “Mapping MEDieval CONflicts.... more
Time: Thursday, 19 February 2015, 14:00-17:15
Venue: Institute for Medieval Research (IMAFO), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Wohllebengasse 12-14 (Seminar rooms, ground floor), 1040 Vienna
Organiser: Project “Mapping MEDieval CONflicts. A digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period”, funded within the go!digital-Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW); Interdisciplinary Working Group “Digital Middle Ages” (OEAW – University of Vienna)
Programme
14:00-14:15: Address of welcome and short presentation of the project “Mapping MEDieval CONflicts“
14:15-14:45: PD Dr. Robert-Gramsch (Historisches Institut, Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena), ´O fortuna, velut luna´ – Wechselfälle mittelalterlicher Politik im Lichte netzwerkanalytischer Forschung
14:45-15:15: Discussion
15:15-15:45: Prof. Dr. Stefan Thurner (Section for Science of Complex Systems, Medical University Vienna), Quantification of humans in virtual worlds
15:45-16:15: Discussion
16:15-16:45: Dr. Johannes Preiser-Kapeller (Institute for Medieval Research/Division of Byzantine Research, OEAW), Vater oder Zerstörer aller Dinge. Überlegungen zur Dynamik und Funktion des Konflikts in (vormodernen) Gesellschaften.
16:45-17:15: Discussion
Background: Mapping MEDieval CONflicts tests the explanatory power of concepts of network analysis for phenomena of political conflict in medieval societies. MEDCON uses the relational structuring provided by modern software not simply as instrument for the organisation of data, but as heuristic tool for the reconstruction and analysis of the relational character of social phenomena of the past which is at the same time also of high relevance for modern-day discussions on the (in)stability of political frameworks.. The team at the Institute for Medieval Research includes specialists for the medieval Western Europe, Byzantium, Archaeology, Historical Geography and Geo-informatics; PI is Dr. Johannes Preiser-Kapeller.
With experts from within and beyond historical disciplines, also new theoretical approaches to these phenomena shall be discussed:
• PD Dr. Robert-Gramsch teaches at the Historisches Institut of the Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena and inter alia focuses in his research on the application of methods of network analysis on medieval history. In 2013, he published his monograph „Das Reich als Netzwerk der Fürsten. Politische Strukturen unter dem Doppelkönigtum Friedrichs II. und Heinrichs (VII.) 1225-1235“ (http://uni-jena.academia.edu/RobertGramsch)
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Thurner is founder and director of the Section for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University Vienna and external professor at the Santa Fe Institute (USA). In his research and numerous publications he focuses inter alia on the application of models of mathematics, physics and complexity theory on social and economic phenomena. (http://www.complex-systems.meduniwien.ac.at/people/sthurner/)
Websites: https://oeaw.academia.edu/MappingMedievalConflict and http://www.imafonet.at/dma/
Contact: Johannes.Preiser-Kapeller@oeaw.ac.at
Venue: Institute for Medieval Research (IMAFO), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Wohllebengasse 12-14 (Seminar rooms, ground floor), 1040 Vienna
Organiser: Project “Mapping MEDieval CONflicts. A digital approach towards political dynamics in the pre-modern period”, funded within the go!digital-Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OEAW); Interdisciplinary Working Group “Digital Middle Ages” (OEAW – University of Vienna)
Programme
14:00-14:15: Address of welcome and short presentation of the project “Mapping MEDieval CONflicts“
14:15-14:45: PD Dr. Robert-Gramsch (Historisches Institut, Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena), ´O fortuna, velut luna´ – Wechselfälle mittelalterlicher Politik im Lichte netzwerkanalytischer Forschung
14:45-15:15: Discussion
15:15-15:45: Prof. Dr. Stefan Thurner (Section for Science of Complex Systems, Medical University Vienna), Quantification of humans in virtual worlds
15:45-16:15: Discussion
16:15-16:45: Dr. Johannes Preiser-Kapeller (Institute for Medieval Research/Division of Byzantine Research, OEAW), Vater oder Zerstörer aller Dinge. Überlegungen zur Dynamik und Funktion des Konflikts in (vormodernen) Gesellschaften.
16:45-17:15: Discussion
Background: Mapping MEDieval CONflicts tests the explanatory power of concepts of network analysis for phenomena of political conflict in medieval societies. MEDCON uses the relational structuring provided by modern software not simply as instrument for the organisation of data, but as heuristic tool for the reconstruction and analysis of the relational character of social phenomena of the past which is at the same time also of high relevance for modern-day discussions on the (in)stability of political frameworks.. The team at the Institute for Medieval Research includes specialists for the medieval Western Europe, Byzantium, Archaeology, Historical Geography and Geo-informatics; PI is Dr. Johannes Preiser-Kapeller.
With experts from within and beyond historical disciplines, also new theoretical approaches to these phenomena shall be discussed:
• PD Dr. Robert-Gramsch teaches at the Historisches Institut of the Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena and inter alia focuses in his research on the application of methods of network analysis on medieval history. In 2013, he published his monograph „Das Reich als Netzwerk der Fürsten. Politische Strukturen unter dem Doppelkönigtum Friedrichs II. und Heinrichs (VII.) 1225-1235“ (http://uni-jena.academia.edu/RobertGramsch)
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Thurner is founder and director of the Section for Science of Complex Systems at the Medical University Vienna and external professor at the Santa Fe Institute (USA). In his research and numerous publications he focuses inter alia on the application of models of mathematics, physics and complexity theory on social and economic phenomena. (http://www.complex-systems.meduniwien.ac.at/people/sthurner/)
Websites: https://oeaw.academia.edu/MappingMedievalConflict and http://www.imafonet.at/dma/
Contact: Johannes.Preiser-Kapeller@oeaw.ac.at