MICHAEL PSELLUS’ ANONYMOUS ENCOMIUM TO EMPEROR CONSTANTINE X DOUKAS

This paper analyses an addresse-less encomium devoted to Emperor Constantine X Doukas and authored by Michael Psellus, one of the most learned individuals in Byzantine history. The purpose of this paper is to place the encomium, a valuable testament of Byzantine cultural heritage, within the context of the empire’s eleventh century political and social history, and to translate the document into modern English accompanied by scholarly commentary. Additionally, this paper will analyze the representation of the emperor in the speech through a comparative analysis of the encomium and Psellus’ historiographical work, the Chronographia

THE NIŠ COOPERATIVE: 1921‒1947

Numerous local monetary bureaus owned by shareholders were established in the Kingdom of Serbia in the late nineteenth century. Many of these institutions, such as the Niš Cooperative, not only engaged in banking services but also owned industrial and trade companies. Economic circumstances changed so significantly after World War I that bank managements often were unable to cope with them. The Niš Cooperative was an example of a stable yet not particularly powerful monetary bureau whose reputation depended on the leading members of its Board of Directors. Unlike most other monetary bureaus, the Niš Cooperative continued operating after World War II up until privately-owned monetary bureaus were closed by the socialist Yugoslav government.

MEDIEVAL MERCHANTS ON THE ROUTE BETWEEN THE DALMATIAN (RAGUSAN) LITTORAL AND THE CITIES ON THE SOUTHERN HUNGARIAN BORDER: IMPACT OF TRADE ON MOVEMENT

The inhabitants of Dubrovnik played an important role in the development of long-distance trade not only in the Balkans, but in other places as well. The cities along the southern Hungarian border were also within the scope of Dubrovnik’s merchants, and thanks to their activities in this area, trade flourished between the Dubrovnik (Ragusan) littoral and the lower Sava and Danube regions. From the fourteenth century onwards, these merchants played a crucial role in the development of trade in these areas and most trade was conducted through them. They supplied the cities along the lower Sava and the Danube Rivers with a variety of goods, but most often dealt in cloth. This was particularly apparent during the Despotate, when Belgrade and Smederevo were developed cities full of wealthy nobles who dressed in fine fabrics imported from Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik’s merchants long dominated trade in these areas. However, the arrival of the Ottomans and the wars they waged in the lower Sava and Danube regions often caused considerable damage to their commercial endeavors.

COMPETITION, MEANING, AND MONUMENTALIZATION IN GALLIA COMATA

Perhaps the most striking, and archaeologically speaking the most evident, change that occurred in Gallia Comata from the 1st century BCE to the end of the 2nd century CE was the incorporation of massive, monumental, Roman-style architecture. Many of these monuments still stand to this day, providing an obvious, visual argument for the impact that Roman culture had on Gallic society. Overall, the incorporation of Roman architecture and monuments, paid for and dedicated by members of the local elite, seems to indicate a clear cultural shift in Gallic society and the adoption of Roman conceptions of urbanism and the role of the urban aristocracy in providing munera for the populace. This paper will examine the remains of monumental structures in the Gallic civitas-capitals, examining the initial stages of monumentalization. While early structures advertised the connection between the community as a whole with the Imperial power structure, the construction of amphitheaters in particular emerged rapidly throughout the Three Gauls and, as this paper will argue, was tied to the glorification and memorialization of the dedicator and his family. The edification of urban space thus became a new ground for the Gallic aristocracy to play out its internal rivalries, rather than a public expression of acceptance or obedience under Rome, and through the use of amphitheaters, urban edification allowed the Gallic aristocracy to retain their ties to the concept of competitive status and martial prowess.

ОРГАНИЗАЦИОННО-ПОЛИТИЧЕСКАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ СЛОВЕНСКИХ КАТОЛИКОВ И ЛИБЕРАЛОВ В КОНЦЕ XIX – НАЧАЛЕ XX ВВ.: СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ

В работе рассматриваются ключевые моменты формирования организационной структуры двух ведущих словенских партий – католической и либеральной и особенности их организационно-политической деятельности на начальном этапе партийного строительства – в конце XIX – начале XX вв. Автором предпринимается попытка провести сравнительный анализ организационных аспектов их деятельности, исходя из того, что эффективность механизмов функционирования партии является одним из важнейших показателей ее успешности. Поскольку развитие католического и либерального движений проходило неравномерно в разных словенских областях, в статье делается акцент прежде всего на деятельности партий в центральной словенской провинции Крайне, оказывавшей сильное влияние на формирование региональных политических партий. В начале XX в. партия католиков превратилась в монолитную и широко разветвленную массовую организацию. Ее структура постепенно становилась все более четкой и хорошо продуманной, а деятельность энергичной и целенаправленной. Либералы же не смогли создать сплоченной и хорошо организованной партии. Католики опирались на многовековой опыт административной деятельности такой мощной организации, как католическая церковь. Организационный опыт либералов в основном был опытом деятельности индивидуальных предпринимателей, слабо осознававших необходимость партийной дисциплины. Еще до Первой мировой войны католическая Словенская народная партия стала лидером словенского национального движения и сохраняла свои позиции весь межвоенный период.

THE CULT OF THE THEOTOKOS AND THE FOUNDING OF THE MEDIEVAL NEMANJIĆ STATE: READINGS BETWEEN IMAGE AND PERFORMANCE

This paper aims to analyze the performative aspects of the cult of the Theotokos in the early Nemanjić state. Through an integrative analysis of newly built churches dedicated to Theotokos, with an emphasis on Studenica, ritual texts, and liturgical typikon, I attempt to contextualize the political and ideological background of the newly formed spatial icons of the Theotokos, the reasons and intentions behind them, and function within the historical context surrounding the founding of the Nemanjić State.