medieval worlds • no. 20 • 2024
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
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DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
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medieval worlds • no. 20 • 2024 ISSN 2412-3196 Online Edition ISBN 978-3-7001-9704-1 Online Edition 2024 License: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 Indexed by: ERIH-PLUS, Crossref, DOAJ, EZB
Gang Wu
S. 37 - 53 doi:10.1553/medievalworlds_no20_2024s37 Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften doi:10.1553/medievalworlds_no20_2024s37
Abstract: Thebes ascended to prominence as the paramount centre of the Byzantine silk industry during the twelfth century. Renowned for its exquisite weaving craftsmanship, Theban silk products earned an unrivalled reputation within Byzantium and found substantial demand in neighbouring regions. Existing scholarship has reasonably interpreted the industry as supported by an industrial network around Central Greece. However, the question of the supply of artisanal personnel, especially the silk weavers who played a paramount role in the industry, remained largely underexplored in this context. This article endeavours to delve into the formation of such an artisanal network, using the case study of a Theban confraternity founded in 1048. The confraternity’s primary mission was the preservation and dissemination of an icon of the Mother of God. It is known to us through a renewed version of its foundational document, dating to around 1100. The document ends with a subscription list of 47 members, which allowed us to establish the confraternity’s extensive geographical reach across Central Greece. Of particular significance is the prevalence of members with surnames linked to specific occupations, especially the presence of four individuals bearing the surname Blattas, which is strongly indicative of familial involvement in silk weaving. This suggests an inherent connection between the confraternity and the flourishing Theban silk industry. Taking the confraternity as an example, this article argues that religiosity of this nature could have served as a catalyst for the development of an intraregional network, facilitating the movement and exchange of individuals. Silk artisans, particularly silk weavers, around Central Greece probably took advantage of this network to enhance their mobility, thereby ensuring a continuous influx of textile artisans into Thebes, upon whom its emerging silk industry depended. Keywords: Byzantium, silk, Thebes, weavers, artisans, confraternity, Central Greece, mobility, Blattas Published Online: 2024/06/27 11:33:05 Object Identifier: 0xc1aa5572 0x003f317a Rights:https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
"medieval worlds" provides a forum for comparative, interdisciplinary and transcultural studies of the Middle Ages. Its aim is to overcome disciplinary boundaries, regional limits and national research traditions in Medieval Studies, to open up new spaces for discussion, and to help developing global perspectives. We focus on the period from c. 400 to 1500 CE but do not stick to rigid periodization.
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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |