The illusion of finality: time and community in the writings of E.A. Freeman, J.B. Bury and the English-Teutonic circle of historians

Thesis

This thesis aims to show, how periodization and race converged vigorously during the nineteenth century. The research focuses mainly on the question of how nineteenth century historians viewed the transformation from Antiquity to the Middle Ages. For many scholars, the year 476 A.D. became associated with the fall of Rome. During the nineteenth century, historians elaborated two main arguments: 1) 'The Roman' emphasized the decline that had occurred after the fall of Rome. 2) 'The Teutonic...

Expand abstract

Authors: Steinberg, O

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Intellectual History; E.A. Freeman; End of Antiquity; Time; J.B. Bury; Periodization; Race; James Bryce; Teutonic
• Subjects: Nineteenth century; History--Periodization