Florin Curta is a professor of medieval history and archaeology whose work delves into the formative centuries of early Europe. He meticulously examines historical and archaeological sources to understand the processes of state-building and cultural interaction. Curta's research illuminates the complex dynamics of ethnogenesis and the establishment of borders in medieval societies. His approach offers deep insights into the shaping of southeastern Europe during this pivotal era.
History, Linguistics, and Archaeology in Eastern Europe (ca. 500 - ca. 700)
Focusing on early medieval Eastern Europe, this book explores the impact of migration on the region's archaeology. It offers insights into the formation of Slavic identities and societies, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in medieval history and the dynamics of migration in Eastern and Central Europe.
History and Archaeology of the Lower Danube Region, c. 500-700
This book offers a new approach to the problem of Slavic ethnicity in southeastern Europe between c. 500 and c. 700. The author shows how Byzantine authors "invented" the Slavs, in order to make sense of political and military developments taking place in the Balkans. Making extensive use of archaeology to show that such developments resulted in the rise of powerful leaders, responsible for creating group identities and mobilizing warriors for successful raids across the frontier. The author rejects the idea of Slavic migration, and shows that "the Slavs" were the product of the frontier.
Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages stood at a crossroads of trade and crusading routes, within the sphere of influence of both the Byzantine Orthodox Church and Latin Christendom. This innovative and expansive survey draws on historical and archaeological sources in the narration of 750 years of the region's history. Among a number of key themes it addresses the rise of medieval states, the conversion to Christianity, the monastic movement inspired by developments in Western Europe and in Byzantium and the role of material culture in the representation of power.