Received from Dr. Victoria Leonard (Institute of Classical Studies, London), Elisa Manzo (University of Naples Federico II) and Cameron Wachowich (University of Toronto)
Orosius Through The Ages is due to take place 25th-27th May 2022 at the Institute of Classical Studies, University of London
This conference explores how the Orosian reshaping of the classical past calibrated medieval and early modern conceptions of antiquity, and how far the formulation of fundamental Christian belief-systems such as sin, divine providence, and human salvation took place in the pages of the text.
The conference asks how the field of Orosian studies has developed since the publication of the seminal critical Latin edition by Sigebert Havercamp in 1738. It questions how scholars can bring together the many intersections of the Historiae’s influence in different fields, such as paleography, book history, Anglo Saxon studies, ancient history, Celtic studies, medieval history, and early modern studies, into a coherent field. In particular, the conference aims to examine how the Historiae shaped ancient and medieval constructions of race and colonialism, and how the text represented women, gender, and sexuality.
The conference is generously hosted by the Institute of Classical Studies, University of London. The event blends in-person and online participation, as far as the restrictions of the pandemic allow. The physical element of the conference will take place at the Institute of Classical Studies in London, including both keynotes. Contributions from around the world are encouraged, especially those of postgraduate and early career academics.
The conference features keynote addresses from Elizabeth M. Tyler, Professor of Medieval History at the University of York, and Peter Van Nuffelen, Professor for the Cultural History of the Ancient World at Ghent University. Prof. Van Nuffelen will speak on ‘Orosius the Historian: Historiographical Traditions and Treading the Line’. Prof. Tyler will speak on ‘Orosius, Universal History and the Making of Imperial England: From Alfred the Great to the Conquest’.
The conference includes a junior-senior networking event that seeks to bring together researchers from all career stages in order to support postgraduate and early career academics.
The conference is framed by a Wikipedia editathon with training to improve the visibility of those who identify as women and non-binary in Orosian studies on Wikipedia. Although often overlooked, those who identify as women and non-binary have made essential contributions to the study of Orosius and the Historiae, such as Elizabeth Elstob who worked on an edition of the Old English Orosius in the early eighteenth century. The session involves training to instruct delegates on how to edit Wikipedia, followed by an editing session.
We welcome proposals for papers and spotlight talks from people of all career stages that engage with the themes of the conference. Postgraduate students and early career researchers are particularly encouraged to participate. Papers will be twenty minutes, with 10 minutes for discussion. Spotlight talks will be five minutes, with five minutes for discussion.
Abstracts of no more than 300 words for papers and 200 words for spotlight talks should be sent to victoria.leonard@sas.ac.uk by 8 December 2021. We will aim to publish the conference proceedings.
For further information, please contact: victoria.leonard@sas.ac.uk
The organisers’ website can be accessed here.
In addition to Past & Present this event is supported by the Royal Historical Society, the Classical Association, Coventry University, and the Institute of Classical Studies.
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