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The present article sets the beginning of a series of “dialogues” about the epigraphic records of the monastery in the village of Chernoglavtsi, Shumen region. The archeological archive of T. Balabanov allows interpretation of the records both from purely linguistic and from historical cultural viewpoint. The dialogic lies in the fluctuation between the various possible linguistic hypotheses on which is based the attempt to trace the historical context of the source material that has reached us, to specify each examined element (fragment), as well as its function. What we find particularly important is the logical connection of all details in the space in which they are located or which they share with other texts or images.
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The article consists of two parts. The first one, based on hymnographic and epigraphic data, examines the question of when the Old Bulgarian language began to lose the week ъ and ь, and finds out that this process did not start at the end of the IX century, as stated in a number of monographs and textbooks, but at the earliest during the first half of the X century. This means that the bilingual inscription on the tomb of Lasaros in Pliska, which inscription contains the form рап (< рабъ), cannot be dated to the end of the ninth century, as is made in some scholarly studies. The second part of the article proposes a new reading of the inscription on the handle of the pitcher, which was discovered in 1955 in Pliska by Stamen Mihaylov. The text is read as a mixed Cyrillic-runic one, which contains technical information related to the practice of pottery studios. One of the runes used in the inscription is present in the runic script from the Yenisey River basin in Siberia, and thus connects the Proto-Bulgarians who inhabited Danube Bulgaria with the mentioned Asian region.
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The desire to protect oneself from danger with the help of various magical means is characteristic of beliefs in all historical eras. Of particular interest is the spell formula "hysteria". Applied to numerous monuments, the formula reflects the idea of the boundless metamorphosis of impure power and the defilement of evil in its various manifestations. This group of monuments is also referred to as the present monument (Fig. 1). It is a bronze thin plate with an oval shape and an ear hook at the upper end, now broken. Dimensions: length - 2.9 cm, width - 2.6 cm, ear - 0.5 cm, thickness - 0.05 cm. On one side is a schematic representation of the Gorgon with 12 snakes. On the other side is a schematic representation of the Virgin Orans. Below the figure is a three-line inscription, which is inverted and starts from the bottom of the amulet to complete the image of the Mother of God. The inscription is written in Greek letters and has the following form: ΦΗΟС (K) - ОΦНС K (ὄφις); ОФΥΛΑТН - OΦΥΛΑΤΗ (οφγλατή); ΥТЄРНAΚ - ΥTЄPНАΚ (υτερηακ); ὄφις οφγλατή υτερηακ; „dragon, protector of the womb“. The symbolic magic formula is aimed at Hysteria - the womb and its protection against chthonic forces. The directional image of the Virgin Orans to the inscription has a symbolic meaning - the protective prayer is made by the Mother of God herself. This gives even greater strength to faith in the protective role of both the Virgin and the well-established image of the Gorgon. These types of amulets are generally determined in the X-XIIth century, which is confirmed by the rings and lead amulets found in Corinth. Within the chronological boundaries of the XIth century, we must include the present amulet not only because of the images, but also in view of its location - in the vicinity of Pliska, where the most moving monuments of this period have been found.
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The medieval penitentials propose a very interesting source to understand the sight of the whole society on the women. In our study, the presented books of penance reveal the women in their different social roles. We see them as the poor victims of the sinful activity of men. Nevertheless, we can recognize them as evil sinners. In this study, we try to present the medieval view of women’s social position, the nature of their sins, and their manner of trespassing God’s commandments as well. The numerous penitentials denote that the women commit only some kinds of sins, from which we can mention murder, witchcraft, and lust. Thus the women in Middle-Ages arouse fear and that is why they must be subordinated by men in society. Fortunately, the 20th century brings to women the liberty and equality with men, the new situation to which the Catholic Church reacts with the exaltation of the women.
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The glazed ceramics manufacturing in Crimea in the last third of the 13th and 14th centuries is one of the handicraft industries to reflect most clearly the complex of ethno-political and demographic processes of those times. Even the coming of this technology to the Crimea was largely due to the different new immigrants who traditionally used it. Therefore, the Crimean glazed pottery had Anatolian, Iranian-Caucasian, Central Asian, Byzantine-Balkan, and East Mediterranean features, which appeared variably in the local ceramic wares at the beginning of activity of the workshops. So the goal of the study is to analyze the complexes of innovations that were introduced and to specify their possible origin and the ways of ingression. Particular attention is paid to options that could be directly related to potters migrations. The results of physicochemical studies of ceramics are employed in addition to ethnoarchaeological, formal-typological, and comparative methods of analysis. This approach allows us to confidently distinguish between local products and imports sometimes very similar visually.
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A solidus of Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (or its imitation) was found during the excavation of a brick tomb in Luoyang, Henan Province, in Central China. According to the location and construction of the tomb, the structure and characteristics of grave goods (partly preserved, because the tomb had been looted), the tomb can be dated back to the final period of the Northern Wei dynasty, i. e. to 525—534 AD, and presumably belongs to the one of the late Northern Wei rulers, most probably to Yuan Gong, Emperor Jiemin (period of reign: 531—532 AD). The gold solidus unearthed from the tomb is classified as MIB-Anastasius-4 type and dates back to the period of 492—507 AD. A short time interval between its coining and getting into the grave suggests the high intensity of China-Byzantine contacts during 5th—6th centuries AD. Sogdian and Hephthalite embassies probably played a mediating role in this communication.
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The following article highlights various facets of the Medieval Crime Museum, which is located in the heart of the middle franconian town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In addition to a deep insight into the museum’s history, which goes back to the end of the 19th century, the reader is given additional insights into the structure and functioning (operation) of the museum. So it is explained, how the permanent exhibition was redesigned after the turn of the century and also the important role of constantly changing special exhibitions for cost coverage. Furthermore, various new cultural mediation formats are shown, that enable the museum to compete in the leisure and wide-education offering. Finally, the article shows, which areas of tourism are covered by the Medieval Crime Museum and how these are reconciled in order to meet the wide-ranging clientele of visitors. As a tourist destination, the museum covers two fields of tourism: history tourism on the one hand and thanatourism on the other, whereby the focus is not on the “horror factor” but rather a balance between entertainment and education.
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The article is entirely based on data from historical sources about the events of 1014. An important place among them is occupied by the Byzantine chronicle Historia Imperatorum. In Bulgaria, it was published as part of the chronicle of Georgius Monachus continuation (GIBI VI). The author examines the various editions of this source. He goes on to present the events of the summer of 1014 – the march of Byzantine Emperor Basil II (976–1025) along the valley of the Strumeshnitsa River, the actions of the strategos of Philippopolis, Nikephoros Xiphias and the Byzantine victory at Klyuch (July 29, 1014). Attention is drawn to the differences in the historical texts of John Skylitzes on the one hand and Kekaumenos on the other. The two Byzantine authors present the clash between the Bulgarians and Byzantines very simply – just as a battle at the fortifications of Belasitsa mountains. In fact, the struggle continued after that. It is believed that the relatively easy passage of the Nikephoros Xiphias’ unit through the mountain heights of Belasitsa was made with the help of Wallachian shepherds who helped the Romans by showing them convenient paths through the impassable mountain. According to the author, it is unlikely that Tsar Samuel (997–1014) stayed on the battlefield at Klyuch.
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The article is entirely based on data from historical sources about the events of 1014. An important place among them is occupied by the Byzantine chronicle Historia Imperatorum. In Bulgaria, it was published as part of the chronicle of Georgius Monachus continuation (GIBI VI). The author examines the various editions of this source. He goes on to present the events of the summer of 1014 – the march of Byzantine Emperor Basil II (976–1025) along the valley of the Strumeshnitsa River, the actions of the strategos of Philippopolis, Nikephoros Xiphias and the Byzantine victory at Klyuch (July 29, 1014). Attention is drawn to the differences in the historical texts of John Skylitzes on the one hand and Kekaumenos on the other. The two Byzantine authors present the clash between the Bulgarians and Byzantines very simply – just as a battle at the fortifications of Belasitsa mountains. In fact, the struggle continued after that. It is believed that the relatively easy passage of the Nikephoros Xiphias’ unit through the mountain heights of Belasitsa was made with the help of Wallachian shepherds who helped the Romans by showing them convenient paths through the impassable mountain. According to the author, it is unlikely that Tsar Samuel (997–1014) stayed on the battlefield at Klyuch.
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The article discusses the notated manuscripts from the South-Western Bulgarian lands up to the fifteenth century. The sources attest to the adoption of the musical systems that were in use at that time in the Balkan Orthodox countries – ekphonetic, palaeo-, middle- and late-Byzantine. The systems were adopted on a high professional level. Numerous Triodia manuscripts testify to the work started in the Ohrid school at the time of St. Clement of Ohrid on the preparation of the repertory in Old Bulgarian language that was necessary for the worship in the newly founded Bulgarian Church: for Great Lent, Easterand post-Easter time, as it is pointed out in the Vita of St. Clement. Theadoption of the musical systems on a high professional level suggests the maintenance of the church music by a strong liturgical and educational center, such as the Bulgarian Archbishopric in Ohrid.
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À partir des informations mentionnées dans le registre des revenus et dépenses du monastère de la ville Râmnicu Sărat (rédigé au milieu du XVIIIe siècle), l’auteur a essayé reconstituer, d’un point de vue social et économique, les coordonnées du groupe de bienfaiteurs et de donateurs (et de leurs familles!) en faveur de l’établissement monastique mentionné. Par leur acte de générosité et de solidarité, en dehors des importants donations accordés par ses ktitors – le prince Constantin Brâncoveanu et son oncle, le porte glaive Michel Cantacuzène –, les donateurs ont contribué à la survie du monastère au fil du temps, dès son fondation (la fin du XVIIe siècle) jusqu’à nos jours. Ainsi, l’étude présente et analyse des informations documentaires sur trois cas de donneurs, qui ne proviennent pas des élites sociales de l’époque: le capitaine Vasile et sa femme, Chirana, le capitaine Rade de Cocorăşti et celui d’un certain Toe. Dans le même temps, au-delà de leurs gestes de générosité, tous les trois exemples nous fournissent des détails non seulement pour une meilleure compréhension de certains comportements sociaux, mais aussi sur la solidarité sociale et familiale coagulée autour de cette l’établissement monastique. Dans l’annexe de l’étude, l’auteur publie aussi quelques documents représentatifs pour la recherche effectuée.
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From the sixth century, European pilgrims have visited Damascus and given an accurate description of the city, devoting a section in their writings to its walls. From the late fourteenth century until the beginning of the sixteenth century pilgrims became increasingly interested in the walls of Damascus and some of them such as Anselme Adorno, Martino Baumgartner, and Ludvico di Varthema wrote a story about the lily flower (fleur-de-lis) carved on them by a Florentine. The story became popular in Europe from the middle of the fifteenth century.
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Throughout the 15th c., the Moldavian ecclesiastical and cultural environment encouraged the assimilation of models promoted in centres like Tarnovo and Ohrid, in literature and art alike. Portraits of saints who enjoyed large popularity during the last century of independence of the Balkan Christians, whose Lives were subjected to changes, by rewriting or adapting older versions during the 14th c., or whose hagiographies were translated during this late period, have found their place in the narthex of St. George’s church at Vorone? Monastery (ca. 1496). Besides the evaluation of the literary corpus available in Menaia and liturgical Sborniki, careful observation of the iconographic peculiarities related to each holy figure allowed us to add new information about the place of some of the highly revered Balkan saints in the liturgical and artistic practice of the Moldavian churches, at the beginning of the Post-Byzantine era.
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The article aims to provide an accurate presentation of lites and two other outdoor rites, Indictus and in trullo (Saint Sophia) acclamation, performed in the urban fabric of Thessalonica in 15th century. Secondly, it draws attention to the investigation of the impact that these ceremonies had on the faithful. Information will be drawn from the works of Symeon, archbishop of Thessalonica (1416/7-1429).
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The Drava valley has numerous unique features as a historical and geographical region. The fullest possible understanding of its characteristics is a task for us in the present and the future. In our study, we present the results of research carried out in three different areas that not only geographically characterize certain parts of the Drava valley, but the research methods employed also highlight important aspects of the region’s castles, as well as its settlement and environmental history as reflected by the available resources. The results of historical, archaeological and scientific studies demonstrate that the river not only separates but also connects. It joins regions and communities and is a dominant feature in the region from this aspect as well (Figure 1).
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The charter of King Stephen Dabiša to the Semković brothers issued on 17 May 1395 is kept today at the British Library in London. The paper presents data not used so far in our historiography, which help better understand the destiny of Dabiša’s charter and the way it came to the institution where it is held today.
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The Visoko valley is one of the territorial and political units from which the medieval Bosnian state developed. During the Middle Ages, there were several political, economic and religious centers in this area, which made this area an extremely important part of the Bosnian state. The significance of Visoko and its surroundings has been recognized and adequately addressed in historiography. The excerpts presented in this paper come from the Deliberations of the Councils of Ragusa: the Major Council, the Minor Council and the Consilium Rogatorum, which are stored in the Dubrovnik State Archives. The presented excerpts that mention Visoki and Podvisoki have been identified and used in earlier historiographical approaches to this area, but also referred to in publications on cities and trade in medieval Bosnia. However, these data have not yet been published in the form of complete excerpts. Although this paper covers both of these places, Podvisoki as an economically strong downtown (suburbium) of a very important fortress, is mentioned more often. These documents are mostly related to Ragusan merchants who lived in these places during this period, or had their business activities. Most of the data in which Podvisoki as an economic center is mentioned, come from the deliberations of the Minor Council. These are mostly deliberations on the formation of judicial commissions, which list the names of consuls and two judges, after that a prosecutor and finally the names of one or more accused persons.
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Due to its cultural-historical and archaeological value Trg Cimiter (Cemetery Square) has been included in the protected urban historical centre of the town of Senj and has been entered in the register of immovable monuments of culture of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia under the number Z- 4186. It is known archaeologically as one of the cemeteries of the area of the town of Senj and people were buried here from Late Antiquity to the mid-19th century.During November and December 2015 protective archaeological research was carried out on Trg Cimiter. After the removal of the first layers of earth a large quantity of dislocated human bones and finds of religious items characteristic of the period from the 17th to 19th centuries were detected. After defining the stratigraphic relationships with the probe at the researched area graves were uncovered and documented, which were orientated in a north-south direction and an east-west direction. In several cases it was noted that the human bones were dislocated by later burials in the same location. Of the found bones at the end of the research within the total of 15 graves 23 somewhat intact skeletal remains were singled out.Rich ceramic material and remains of flooring, burning and soot were uncovered in the graves, as well as remains of architecture i.e. several walls that were partly destroyed by new burials at the site. The remains of the architecture could not be investigated due to the space limitations of the probe. However, according to the building technique and their structure some of the uncovered walls could be dated to Antiquity, early Christian and mediaeval periods. The earliest layers of Trg Cimiter, according to the found ceramic material in the lowest layers at a depth of 2.5 metres from today’s walking surface of the square, could be dated to the first century AD. From the mentioned, it shows the great archaeological significance that Trg Cimiter has for the cultural-historical heritage of the town of Senj.
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