Judith Herrin: Ravenna: Crucible of Europe

In this presentation Judith explores the role of Ravenna, imperial capital from AD 402, until its fall to the Lombards in 751, as a catalyst in the development of what we can now identify as Eureopan features. Gothic rulers, imperial governors from Constantinople and local bishops all contributed elements to its particular culture, which drew on the integration of Germanic and Roman traditions within a Christian framework. Under the influence of Byzantium, diffused through Ravenna, ideals of efficient goverment sanctioned by law, policies of acculturation and religious toleration were embedded in the early medieval West. While Charlemagne was later hailed as the father of Europe, this novel identity had first taken form in Ravenna.

The York Medieval Lecture is co-sponsored by the Centre for Medieval Studies at York, Department of History of Art at York, Centre for Medieval Studies at Fordham, the Henri Pirenne Institute for Medieval Studies at Ghent and the Centre for Medieval Literature (Southern Denmark and York).