Medieval Eastern Europe, 500-1300

This collection offers essential primary sources for understanding the history of Eastern Europe from 500 to 1300, making Medieval Eastern Europe, 500-1300 a vital resource for scholars.

The book Medieval Eastern Europe, 500-1300 presents a compelling collection of primary sources that illuminate the history of East Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages. By compiling these historical documents, it fills a significant void in medieval studies, offering the first comprehensive selection of English translations that cover the extensive eastern region of Europe from 500 to 1300. The esteemed scholar Florin Curta meticulously curates sources spanning from the Czech lands in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east, and from northern Russia down to Greece.

Curta opens the collection with an insightful discussion on the reasons behind the relative neglect of this region in historical discourse. The anthology includes a diverse range of traditional narrative sources such as chronicles and annals, alongside treaties, charters, letters, and legal texts. Each primary source is accompanied by a brief introduction, providing context, and is followed by guiding questions that encourage deeper engagement with the material.

Organized thematically and chronologically, Medieval Eastern Europe, 500-1300 touches on a variety of significant topics, including political developments, the conversion to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, as well as economic and social issues. It also explores literature, laws, and religious beliefs and practices, offering readers a comprehensive view of the complexities and richness of medieval life in this often-overlooked region.