Connectivity from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages [Updated] – Call For Papers

[Updated with correct contact details]

Connectivity from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages
The University of Auckland
21 April, 2015

On the 21st of April 2015 the Disciplinary Area of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Auckland, with support from the Australian Early Medieval Association, will host a workshop entitled “Connectivity from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages”.

This workshop will explore the theme of connectivity as it applies to the periods of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages (c. A.D. 350 – 1000). Connectivity is the measure of cohesion and interaction between groups and individuals in a society. Key questions for this workshop are: how did individuals and groups maintain and build connectivity in their societies? Did traditional networks and systems, such as Roman amicitia, remain or were they replaced by new networks and systems? Did the societies of Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages remain ‘connected’ in a time of disruption to older networks?

We welcome papers on a wide range of topics that engage and discuss the theme of connectivity, including, but not limited to: friendship; letter writing; social cohesion, geographic connectivity; social, economic, religious, and political networks; and ethnic identity.

Papers should be between 20-25 minutes long. Abstracts (100-200 words) should be submitted by the 1st of March.

Presenters are also encouraged to consider submitting their paper to the 2015 volume of the Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association.

Please send abstracts to Dan Knox dkno024@aucklanduni.ac.nz along with any enquires about the workshop.