The illusion of finality : time and community in the writings of E.A. Freeman, J.B. Bury and the English-Teutonic circle of historians
This thesis aims to show, how periodization and race converged vigorously during the nineteenth century. The research focuses mainly on the question of how nineteenth century historians viewed the transformation from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. For many scholars, the year 476 A.D. became associated with the fall of Rome. During the nineteenth century, historians elaborated two main arguments: 1) 'The Roman' emphasized the decline that had occurred after the fall of Rome. 2) 'The Teutonic' signified the rejuvenation which the German tribes had brought about in the decaying Empire. Although I relate to the 'Roman' argument, the heart of the discussion is devoted to the 'Teutonic' school that was supported not only by German but also by British or more accurately English historians. The first part of the dissertation is devoted to the theme of 'Community and Race'. In this part, I engage with the thematic question of how the historians of the second half of the nineteenth century constructed past and present communities through the concept of race. A close community or Gemeinschaft of English and German historians emerged during the middle of the nineteenth century. Based on the concept of Teutonic kinship,
Steinberg, Oded Yair
Historians--19th century ; Germany--History--Historiography ; Great Britain--History--Historiography ; Germanic peoples--History--Sources ; Intellectual life--History--19th century
The illusion of finality : time and community in the writings of E.A. Freeman, J.B. Bury and the English-Teutonic circle of historians. This thesis aims to show, how periodization and race converged vigorously during the nineteenth century. The research focuses mainly on the question of how nineteenth century historians viewed the transformation from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. For many scholars, the year 476 A.D. became associated with the fall of Rome. During the nineteenth century, historians elaborated two main arguments: 1) 'The Roman' emphasized the decline that had occurred after the fall of Rome. 2) 'The Teutonic' signified the rejuvenation which the German tribes had brought about in the decaying Empire. Although I relate to the 'Roman' argument, the heart of the discussion is devoted to the 'Teutonic' school that was supported not only by German but also by British or more accurately English historians. The first part of the dissertation is devoted to the theme of 'Community and Race'. In this part, I engage with the thematic question of how the historians of the second half of the nineteenth century constructed past and present communities through the concept of race. A close community or Gemeinschaft of English and German historians emerged during the middle of the nineteenth century. Based on the concept of Teutonic kinship,
illusion time community writing freeman bury english circle historian aim_show race converge vigorously focus_mainly question historian_view transformation antiquity middle_ages many_scholar year become associated fall rome historian elaborate two_main argument the roman decline occur fall rome the signified german tribes bring decay empire although relate roman argument heart discussion devote school support german also british accurately english historian first_part devote theme community race part engage thematic question historian second_half construct past_present community concept race close community english_german historians emerge middle based concept kinship