How Matthias Corvinus' bombards captured Głogów in 1488

Author(s): Piotr Strzyż / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Sieges in the Middle Ages were always a difficult logistical undertaking. The most serious problems were faced during sieges of such places as fortified towns or especially large castles. In such cases, a basic difficulty was posed by a need to organise a tight blockade of the selected place, in order to cut it off from any communication with the external world. Among many known sieges in the 15th century, the siege of Głogów in 1488 stands out, carried out by Hungarian troops. The hostilities lasted from 19th May to November 1488, which was almost a half of the year. The Hungarian troops were equipped with numerous pieces of artillery, including three large bombards from Wrocław, Świdnica and Legnica. These cannons inflicted considerable damage in the town during the siege. However, two of these burst. The town surrendered only after the stores of food had run out, and not due to bombardment. The course of event at Głogów demonstrates that during sieges of large centres with the use of the heaviest artillery in the 15th century it was difficult to achieve measurable success.

Šibenice v stredoeurópskom kontexte

Author(s): Alica Křápková / Language(s): Slovak Publication Year: 0

The gallows served as a place of execution during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. Although particular states of Central Europe have developed differently, the types of gallows in their territory have surprisingly many similarities. This chapter describes these similar factors, as well as the obvious differences, some caused by the dissimilar process of research. In addition to the gallows typology itself, the chapter also contains other angles that are important in examining gallows. These are mainly archaeological, iconographic, but also written sources. When looking at gallows, it is also possible to explore other interesting aspects, such as distance from the city, visibility, the way to the gallows and so on. It describes the most important researches in Central European countries, the appearance of uncovered places of executions, as well as other archaeological or anthropological findings, demonstrating the specific burial rite of convicted offenders. In some cases, animal bones are found in abundance in execution areas, suggesting the presence of knacker´s yard.

Popraviště ve vztahu ke krajině na jižní Moravě

Author(s): Jan Velek / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

At present, we are used to perceiving landscapes and significant points in a settlement structure quite differently than it has been for past centuries. The landscape scale and the extent of settlement formations have changed, areas of cultivated fields have changed, and the range of afforestation has changed. There has been a substantial change in the communications network thanks to different modes of transportation, and there have often been substantial changes in the size and modification of water features in the landscape. The original elements of the landscape, which were distinctive for centuries, gradually lost their importance, partly disappeared, or were replaced by other landscape landmarks, with different character and function. Based on the First Military Mapping, which was acquired on the basis of direct observation of real situation in the field, we can derive five basic building types, which were of fundamental importance to the inhabitants of the area as a dominant of the nearby landscape. These are: castle or chateau (mansion seat), church or monastery (seat of ecclesiastical institutions), town hall (seat of administrative power of larger settlement unit), fortification (building element providing security) and execution site (symbol of enforcement). Only a few of this number of execution sites have been preserved in the South Moravian Region as building ruins, few have been identified and documented archaeologically, but these sites are not listed. From most of others, only the place name remained without visible building or terrain tracks. The aim of the research plan is to assess the physical state of preservation of building sites of gallows (or their archaeological relics), possible archaeological research of selected localities and the design of meaningful conservation of the last few torsos of buildings, which in the past played an important role in the everyday life of all residents and in the landscape.

Viditelnost jihomoravských šibenic

Author(s): Josef Unger,Jan Divíšek / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

For the gallows as a visible symbol of the high justice (“ius gladii”) of the location and as a deterrent memento for criminals, the position was very important so that they could be easily seen from the municipality and from the access roads. The visibility of several other South Moravian gallows (Boskovice, Doubravice, Blansko, Lomnice, Pouzdřany, Vranov nad Dyjí, Znojmo) was newly evaluated. It is clear from the examples with the exception of Znojmo that the monitored gallows were visible directly from the centre of the particular municipality. Visibility from important roads was also significant.

Vegetace a flóra na některých jihomoravských šibenicích

Author(s): Jan Lacina,Petr Halas / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

We tried to create an idea of landscape formation in the vicinity of gallows in Čejkovice, Ivančice, Tišnov and Lomnice at the time of their use with the help of the maps of Imperial Obligatory Imprints of a Stable Cadastre, local names, floristic data in old literature and above all our own field survey. Although the sites of the investigated gallows are located in different landscapes - from the Pannonian region to the eastern edge of the Hercynian region - all had previously supported a number of remarkable, endangered or extinct species of vascular plants. The common feature was the occurrence of steppe species spreading from the south, mainly due to agriculture and into the foothills of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. The current species diversity in the vicinity of the previously gloomy places is not so great, however, some memorable vegetation types and valuable species that are worth notice have been preserved.

Archeologický výzkum jihomoravských šibenic

Author(s): Josef Unger / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

Podoba několika jihomoravských šibenic byla do jisté míry osvětlena archeologickým výzkumem, který v případu tišnovské, ivančické, šatovské a slavkovské, měl character soustavného výzkumu, který odkryl jen vlastní stavbu šibenice a nejbližší okolí. U Lomnice a Vranova nad Dyjí šlo jen o drobnou sondáž. Přesto se podařilo upřesnit, nebo i zjistit půdorys šibenice, získat datovací materiál a zařadit je do systému středoevropských šibenic.

Lidé od šibenic. Přínos antropologie při výzkumu kosterních pozůstatků popravených osob a sebevrahů

Author(s): Robin Pěnička / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

Human skeletal remains are important source in exploring past populations. As a part of our research in places of executions in South Moravian region, four comprehensive archaeological excavations were conducted. Numerous anthropological skeletal material was obtained there. A total number of 5 405 human bones have been examined, which have been preserved in various ways (from only a piece of bone to complete bones and skulls). Anthropological examination focused on assessing the state of bone preservation, estimating the minimum number of individuals (MNI), estimating basic demographic determinants (sex, age and stature), pathological changes, and traces of violence related to punishment. The largest group consists of skeletal remains from Ivančice gallows site (2 761 fragments of bones, MNI 18 persons), from Křenovice/Slavkov u Brna gallows site (1 772 fragments of bones, MNI 15 persons) and from Tišnov gallows site (786 fragments of bones, MNI 13 persons). From other sites the number of bones is limited to isolated findings of human bones. The assessed skeletal remains belonged mostly to adult males, some bones belonged to juveniles and quite exceptional is the finding of an infant’s femur. On several bones some pathological conditions were observed (like fractures or inflammations). These conditions were rather chronic in character and probably affected the individuals’ social positions (for example social exclusion or social marginality). Traces of direct violence were represented by perimortal fractures, which can be related to the execution by wheel.

Patologické nálezy a anatomické variety na kosterních pozůstatcích z moravských šibenic

Author(s): Robin Pěnička,Tomáš Mořkovský,Martin Čuta / Language(s): Czech Publication Year: 0

This chapter focuses on the peculiarities of the skeletal system in form of anatomical variations and pathologies from the sample of skeletal remains from various archeologically surveyed Moravian gallows. Apart from common variations some rare variations of the skeletal system were observed and described in detail (os bregmaticum, spina bifida atlantis anterior et posterior). Observed pathologies included evidence of trauma and infectious diseases. The most commonly observed instances of trauma were fractures, which originated (with high probability) perimortem – i.e. around the time of death. From the nature of the majority of the fractures we can presume that some of the convicts were subject to aggravated capital sentence in form of breaking with the wheel. In case of two tibiae affected by infection the internal structure of the bone was assessed. Evaluation of the medullar cavity development and remodeling using 3D models of affected bones brought new information; however, a final decision on whether syphilis was the originator of infectious disease traits on a tibia from Slavkov gallows is not yet possible.

Сцени на поклонение и ритуални жертвоприношения пред божествата върху цилиндрични печати (III–I хил. пр. Хр.)

Author(s): Zozan Tarhan / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The purpose of the present paper is to research the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices before the deities, which are a part of the Mesopotamian cylinder seals. The research concerns the time from Early Dynastic Period until Neo-Assyrian Period. This type of scenes are represented at the earliest during the EDP III (c. 2600–2334 B. C.), but their quantity is not very high. From Akkadian period the number of the cultic scenes and the scenes of ritual sacrifices increased. During the Period of Third Dynasty of Ur/ Ur III the most popular scene on the cylinder seals is the cultic presentation of the worshiper by the priest or the mediator deity. In II mil. B. C. the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices are frequently represented on the seals. In Neo-Assyrian period the cultic scene is very well registered, but the scenes of ritual sacrifices are not common. In addition the author discusses the question of the ritual activities and the role of divine statues as mediators to provide the communication between the worshipers and the gods. According to figs. 8–9 and some mythical texts I guess that the Mesopotamians distinguished the divine statue from the god. I guess that they recognized the statue as a symbol of the god and a way to show their worship to the god. In regard to the sacrifices, some authors consider that the ritual burning of the meat of the sacrificed animal did not exist in the Mesopotamian ritual. In this case the author of the current paper presents passages of ritual texts, which correspond with the scenes and prove that there was a ritual burning in the Mesopotamian sacrifices. It is also very important to be noted that in the Akkadian texts, especially in the ritual texts, concerning the ritual sacrifices for the gods, is registered and frequently presented the term maqalûtu/maqlûtu, which means ‘’burnt offering’’. This fact indicates even more categorically that the ritual burning of the meat is a part of the sacrifices in Mesopotamia. Moreover, some authors suggest that the meat is served only to the gods, i. e. for their statues and not to the worshipers. But these statements are suspicious, because the ritual and administrative texts provide the information that the worshipers also took part in the consumption of the meat of the sacrificed animal.The purpose of the present paper is to research the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices before the deities, which are a part of the Mesopotamian cylinder seals. The research concerns the time from Early Dynastic Period until Neo-Assyrian Period. This type of scenes are represented at the earliest during the EDP III (c. 2600–2334 B. C.), but their quantity is not very high. From Akkadian period the number of the cultic scenes and the scenes of ritual sacrifices increased. During the Period of Third Dynasty of Ur/ Ur III the most popular scene on the cylinder seals is the cultic presentation of the worshiper by the priest or the mediator deity. In II mil. B. C. the scenes of worship and ritual sacrifices are frequently represented on the seals. In Neo-Assyrian period the cultic scene is very well registered, but the scenes of ritual sacrifices are not common. In addition the author discusses the question of the ritual activities and the role of divine statues as mediators to provide the communication between the worshipers and the gods. According to figs. 8–9 and some mythical texts I guess that the Mesopotamians distinguished the divine statue from the god. I guess that they recognized the statue as a symbol of the god and a way to show their worship to the god. In regard to the sacrifices, some authors consider that the ritual burning of the meat of the sacrificed animal did not exist in the Mesopotamian ritual. In this case the author of the current paper presents passages of ritual texts, which correspond with the scenes and prove that there was a ritual burning in the Mesopotamian sacrifices. It is also very important to be noted that in the Akkadian texts, especially in the ritual texts, concerning the ritual sacrifices for the gods, is registered and frequently presented the term maqalûtu/maqlûtu, which means ‘’burnt offering’’. This fact indicates even more categorically that the ritual burning of the meat is a part of the sacrifices in Mesopotamia. Moreover, some authors suggest that the meat is served only to the gods, i. e. for their statues and not to the worshipers. But these statements are suspicious, because the ritual and administrative texts provide the information that the worshipers also took part in the consumption of the meat of the sacrificed animal.

Основни мотиви в сцените по цилиндричните печати от периода Урук в Месопотамия

Author(s): Yoanna Dyulgerska / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The present paper includes summary and interpretation of the main motives on the scenes of Mesopotamian Uruk cylinder seals, adding also some new observations. The Late Uruk époque is dated in 34th – 30th centuries BC and is known as a period of the urban revolution. The center of this revolution is the city of Uruk in Lower Mesopotamia. The so-called “Uruk Culture” (according to the archaeological terminology) is part of the civilization of Ancient Sumer and represents the spirit of this civilization and its bearers. Then, side by side with the creation of the reliefs in miniature was created one of the first writings – the cuneiform. Both inventions contributed to the development of the civilization in the Ancient Near East and were used together for more than thirty centuries after. A review of the main motives engraved on the monuments is the basic aim of this study. The so called “Priest-king” is important figure in several motives and is accepted as a sign for a presence of hierarchy. The scenes with boats may be connected with some rituals. The scenes with rows of animals may have been used by certain department of administration. By studying the scenes on cylinder seals we can make some conclusion about the beliefs of the ancient inhabitants and their daily life. In some cases we can make a link between the connections of Sumer and Egypt where same motives on scenes of some local artifacts can be found in contemporary monuments.The present paper includes summary and interpretation of the main motives on the scenes of Mesopotamian Uruk cylinder seals, adding also some new observations. The Late Uruk époque is dated in 34rd – 30th centuries BC and is known as a period of the urban revolution. The center of this revolution is the city of Uruk in Lower Mesopotamia. The so-called “Uruk Culture” (according to the archaeological terminology) is part of the civilization of Ancient Sumer and represents the spirit of this civilization and its bearers. Then, side by side with the creation of the reliefs in miniature was created one of the first writings – the cuneiform. Both inventions contributed to the development of the civilization in the Ancient Near East and were used together for more than thirty centuries after. A review of the main motives engraved on the monuments is the basic aim of this study. The so called “Priest-king” is important figure in several motives and is accepted as a sign for a presence of hierarchy. The scenes with boats may be connected with some rituals. The scenes with rows of animals may have been used by certain department of administration. By studying the scenes on cylinder seals we can make some conclusion about the beliefs of the ancient inhabitants and their daily life. In some cases we can make a link between the connections of Sumer and Egypt where same motives on scenes of some local artifacts can be found in contemporary monuments.

За култовата сцена в Нововавилонската глиптика през VII–V в. пр. Хр. (част II)

Author(s): Kabalan Moukarzel / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The present research is dedicated to the stamp-seals and their im-pressions with the Neo-Babylonian Cultic scene. The research is ba-sed mainly on published monuments in the collections of Le Louvre (Paris) and Vorderasiatischen Museum (Berlin), added with some artifacts from other museums. A classification of the motive on the monuments is proposed. It is based on the styles used in the art of Mesopotamian glyptics during the First Millennium BCE. Three types of scene’s depiction are de-fined, and the peculiarities of their figural elements are examined. Based on new publications, some additional observations on the chronology of the scene in the period under study are made.

Елементи на източно влияние по тимпан от остров Крит

Author(s): Zozan Tarhan / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

The purpose of this article is to prove the existence of an eastern influence on a Greek monument dating back to the 8th – 7th centuries BC – timpani of the island of Crete. The analysis is based on specific elements in the scene of the artifact, which are considered separately and compared to other monuments of Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Levant.

Харонов обол и „изпуснатите“ монети в ограбени в Древността тракийски гробници

Author(s): Miroslav Izdimirski / Language(s): English,Bulgarian Publication Year: 0

In this article I examine the cases of setting of coin/s in funeral context in Ancient Thrace. This practice may be connected with Charon’s obol, but I thing that this practice is not valid for Thrace. These cases are an Hellenistic fashion because of different Thracian religious and posthumous concepts for Other world. There are examples for posthumous practices with coins in mound’s embankments after death of human bean. There are and examples for coin hoards in funerary mounds deposited like hoards because of relief of environment. All this cases are connected with levels of monetary exchange in Ancient Thrace in Hellenistic and Roman times

Roman Period Glass Unguentariums at the Hacibektas Veli Archeology Museum

Author(s): Barış Emre Sönmez / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The aim of this study is to examine the glass unguentariums from the Roman Period in Hacibektas Veli Archeology Museum in terms of technique and form. The glass unguentariums in Hacibektas Veli Archeology Museum are classified as tube, bulbous, conical and candelabra. There are 12 glass unguentariums from the Roman Period in total in the museum. 11 of them were brought to the museum by purchasing; One of them was found around Suluca Karahöyük and brought to the museum. Of the glass unguentarium, 6 are tubular in shape, 1 are candelabra in shape, 3 are bulbous in shape and 2 are conical in shape. The lengths of tubular unguentariums vary between 9.1 cm and 13.4 cm; The length of the candelabra-shaped unguentarium is 13 cm, the length of the bulbous-shaped unguentarium is between 10.3 cm and 17.6 cm, and the length of the conical unguentarium is 9.3 cm. Glass unguentariums consist of dark green, colorless transparent, pale green, light green, light blue-green, blue-green colors. The earliest glass unguentarium belongs to the middle of the 1st century AD, and the latest glass unguentarium is dated to the 3rd century AD.

Słowo wstępne

Author(s): Tadeusz Grabarczyk,Magdalena Pogońska-Pol / Language(s): English,Russian,Polish Publication Year: 0

Prehistoric and Early Medieval Fortified Settlements and High Medieval Castles on the Bohemian-Bavarian Borderland: Means of War, Power, or Symbols of Strength?

Author(s): Josef Hložek,Petr Menšík,Olgierd Ławrynowicz / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

The paper discusses the phenomenon of the persistence of the military, political, and social function of the present-day Bohemian-Bavarian borderland, shaped by the mountain ranges of the Bohemian Forest and the Šumava. The authors have traced the development of settlement patterns in prehistory, the Middle Ages, and the modern period, extending their studies to cover also to recent times. The discussed area constituted a barrier that limited cultural influences from both sides, which is reflected in the discovered relics of material culture. The paper also discusses, using numerous examples, the symbolic role of strongholds and castles located on mountain peaks, which came down to demonstrating the presence of power over the surrounding territory. The Bohemian-Bavarian frontier can also be seen as a peculiar landscape of conflict, which through its morphological characteristics imposed a timeless borderland form of political, military and social organisation.

В канун захвата Мстиславом Мстиславовичем Галича (конец марта – начало апреля 1221 г.): просопография участников битвы

Author(s): Myroslav Voloshchuk / Language(s): Russian Publication Year: 0

The article presents the analysis of the list of the participants in the battle for Halych between the end of March and early April 1221. The main sides of the conflict were the King of Halych and the Hungarian Prince Coloman with his allies and the representative of the Smolensk branch of the Mstislavovids Prince of Torchesk Mstislav Mstislavich and his supporters. The scope of information provided in written records allows us to classify the aforementioned battle as one of the largest not only in Galicia (and more specifically for its capital) but in general – in the lands of the Rurikids until the Mongol invasion. This is confirmed not only by the results of the prosopographic studies carried out in this publication but also by unique for the Rus’-Hungarian inter-dynasty relationships – the first and only one instance when the Hungarian-Polish royal couple (King Coloman and his wife Salomea) by a Rus’ prince, their long imprisonment and further diplomatic negotiations on the conditions of their release. The brilliant victory of Prince Mstislav was determined both by the scale of resources mobilized for the campaign from the Kyiv, Smolensk and, the Cuman steppe and the unyielding attitude of Halych’s defenders. For over a year Coloman and his companions-in-arms fortified and actively defended the city. The fatality of the besieged King of Galicia’s position on the eve of the capturing of Halych by the Rus’ Princes was worsened by the absence of his father Andrew II in Hungary, who together with his wife, the eldest son Béla and daughter Maria, as part of the large delegation, travelled to the Bulgarian border at the beginning of March 1221 (a fact that Prince Mstislav was aware of), which prevented the Arpads to quickly come to the Coloman’s rescue.

The Teutonic Knights in the Southern Hungarian Kingdom: Preparation for Battle

Author(s): Silviu Oța / Language(s): English Publication Year: 0

Until now, the presence of Teutonic knights in the 15th century was analysed mainly based on historical sources. The publications to date focused on the causes of the Teutonic Order’s arrival, the results of their actions, the area they received for administration, and the fortifications they controlled. In this regard, we can mention the works of T. H. Trâpcea (1969), Alexandru Nemoianu (1975), Ioan Hațegan (1979), Eugen Glück (1992), Viorel Achim (2013 and 2014), and Costin Feneșan (2015).The information acquired from written records comes primarily from the documents found in the Teutonic Order’s archives. However, other sources also mention the Knights’ presence and activities in the Banate . These records were also used by Romanian historians to analyse the Knights’ relationship with the local population. The Teutonic Knights – namely a group of 13 Knights under the leadership of Klaus von Redwitz – arrived in Hungary in the autumn of 1429 at the request of King Sigismund of Luxembourg and withdrew from the Banate 1434 or 1435. Nineteen fortifications on the Danube and three located further north (Almăj, Ilidia/Socolari, Mehadia) were assigned to them. Two others (Carașova and Bârzava) were also in Wallachia but were not mentioned and their obligations. Archaeological excavations have been made In the last 50 years, archaeologists carried out excavation works in some fortifications previously administrated by the Teutons: at Drobeta-Turnu Severin), Tricule-Svinița, Saint Ladislau, and in auxiliary fortifications which primarily role was to supply goods and people (Carașova, Mehadia, Ilidia/Socolari). The preparations for battle with the Ottomans made by the 13 Teutonic knights and their retinues proved to be without great results. Furthermore, the amounts required by the Teutonic Knights to cover the most necessary expenses amounted to 346 140 florins per year, a sum too high for the economic capabilities of the Middle Danube region to be raised locally. The Ottoman campaigns of 1432 and 1433 led to the destruction of some fortresses and of their garrisons, including Severin and St. Ladislau. The tactics of the defenders to lock themselves in the fortresses proved to be inefficient when they had to fight with extremely mobile and numerous Ottoman armies.

Përmendje të Butrintit gjatë shekujve IX-X-të

Author(s): Aleksandër Meksi / Language(s): Albanian Publication Year: 0

Për qytetin antik dhe mesjetar të Butrintit kemi një dokumentacion jo të vogël historik, ashtu si dhe dëshmi të shumta të kulturës materiale përgjatë shekujve. Megjithatë dëshmitë historike (të dhënat burimore dhe dokumentacioni historik) për mesjetën e hershme janë më të pakta, për vetë rrethanat historike të Gadishullit Ballkanik, rezultat i dyndjeve të mëdha barbare e avaro-sllave që rrënuan e shkretuan territoret nga kalonin, duke prurë në të njëjtën kohë ndryshime të mëdha në përbërjen etnike të disa prej territoreve dhe një rënie të përgjithshme ekonomike dhe të jetës në të gjitha aspektet e saj në Gadishullin Ballkanik.

Vend-emërtimet e vogla në katundin Zvërnec të Vlorës

Author(s): Pirro ARAPI / Language(s): Albanian Publication Year: 0

Në veriperëndim të qytetit të Vlorës, gati 12 km larg saj, mbi një gadishull të vogël, është vendosur sot katundi Zvërnec. Gojëdhëna të ndryshme, të gërshetuara edhe me ngjarje të vërteta historike, i atribuohen jetës shumëshekullore të këtij fshati. Ndër më të moshuarit e ditëve tona ruhet ende e gjallë gojëdhëna sipas së cilës të parët banorë të fshatit kanë ardhur nga Sazani, i cili shtrihet në perëndim të fshatit në fjalë dhe nuk është më tepër se 5 km larg nga bregu i detit. Vendosja e banorëve të parë në steré, d. m. th. në fshatin Zvërnec, justifikohet me faktin që në ishull mungonte ujët e pijshëm dhe mundësia e bluarjes së drithit. Si shkak tjetër përmenden pirateritë e hapura në mes të detit. Mendoj se në këto të dhëna në formë gojëdhënash, të cilat ruhen ende fort në të moshuarit, duhet të ketë edhe njëfarë baze për ngjarjet e ndryshme historike, që janë vërtetuar nga njeri shekull te tjetri.