Images of Eurasian Nomads in European Cultural Imaginary in the Middle Ages

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperConference paper

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to deepening our understanding of the relations
between sedentary and nomadic peoples in medieval Europe. It interprets the images of nomads found in the European cultural imagination, particularly in medieval literary sources from areas as far apart as Britain and Constantinople. This imaginary is the product of an accumulated culturally-processed emotional response to newcomers from the Eurasian Steppe who were often perceived as either a severe threat or as powerful military allies. The process of constructing such an image of the Eurasian nomads might seem to be a simple and natural one; however, one must not oversimplify its complexity. The reconstruction of this imagery is a joint effort made by several disciplines. This overview is intended to give the reader a glimpse into the perspectives of imagology, social psychology, cross-cultural history, and the history of emotions.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCompeting Narratives between Nomadic People and their Sedentary Neighbours
Subtitle of host publicationPapers of the 7th International Conference on the Medieval History of the Eurasian Steppe Nov. 9–12, 2018 Shanghai University, China
EditorsChen Hao
Place of PublicationSzeged
PublisherUniversity of Szeged
Pages265-279
Number of pages15
Volume53
EditionStudia uralo-altaica
ISBN (Electronic)978-963-306-714-7
ISBN (Print)978-963-306-708-6
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event7th International Conference on the Medieval History of the Eurasian Steppe - Shanghai University, China
Duration: 9 Nov 201812 Nov 2018

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on the Medieval History of the Eurasian Steppe
Country/TerritoryChina
Period9/11/1812/11/18

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