Richard Stoneman
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780300180077
- eISBN:
- 9780300216042
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Yale University Press
- DOI:
- 10.12987/yale/9780300180077.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Ancient History / Archaeology
Xerxes, Great King of the Persian Empire from 486–465 B.C., has gone down in history as an angry tyrant full of insane ambition. The stand of Leonidas and the 300 against his army at Thermopylae is a ...
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Xerxes, Great King of the Persian Empire from 486–465 B.C., has gone down in history as an angry tyrant full of insane ambition. The stand of Leonidas and the 300 against his army at Thermopylae is a byword for courage, while the failure of Xerxes's expedition has overshadowed all the other achievements of his twenty-two-year reign. This book shows how Xerxes, despite sympathetic treatment by the contemporary Greek writers Aeschylus and Herodotus, had his reputation destroyed by later Greek writers and by the propaganda of Alexander III of Macedon. The text draws on the latest research in Achaemenid studies and archaeology to present the ruler from the Persian perspective. This volume does not whitewash Xerxes's failings but sets against them such triumphs as the architectural splendor of Persepolis and a consideration of Xerxes's religious commitments. What emerges is a nuanced portrait of a man who ruled a vast and multicultural empire which the Greek communities of the West saw as the antithesis of their own values.Less
Xerxes, Great King of the Persian Empire from 486–465 B.C., has gone down in history as an angry tyrant full of insane ambition. The stand of Leonidas and the 300 against his army at Thermopylae is a byword for courage, while the failure of Xerxes's expedition has overshadowed all the other achievements of his twenty-two-year reign. This book shows how Xerxes, despite sympathetic treatment by the contemporary Greek writers Aeschylus and Herodotus, had his reputation destroyed by later Greek writers and by the propaganda of Alexander III of Macedon. The text draws on the latest research in Achaemenid studies and archaeology to present the ruler from the Persian perspective. This volume does not whitewash Xerxes's failings but sets against them such triumphs as the architectural splendor of Persepolis and a consideration of Xerxes's religious commitments. What emerges is a nuanced portrait of a man who ruled a vast and multicultural empire which the Greek communities of the West saw as the antithesis of their own values.
Keith Stringer
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748632787
- eISBN:
- 9780748651405
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748632787.003.0006
- Subject:
- History, British and Irish Modern History
Tynedale has good claims to be regarded as one of the greatest liberties in the medieval British Isles, and it was certainly the largest and most privileged secular ‘franchise’ in the far North of ...
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Tynedale has good claims to be regarded as one of the greatest liberties in the medieval British Isles, and it was certainly the largest and most privileged secular ‘franchise’ in the far North of England. Its position as a liberty on the regional power-map was indeed second only to that of Durham; but its history is much less well known. This chapter attempts to put the liberty more firmly on the historical map of ‘Middle Britain’ in the thirteenth century, for most of which period Tynedale was held by William I (‘the Lion’) and his successors Alexander II (1214–49) and Alexander III (1249–86). It focuses on the liberty's fortunes under these Scots kings, though the concluding section takes matters down to the outbreak of the Wars of Independence in 1296. Before that happened, Tynedale was long a land of peace.Less
Tynedale has good claims to be regarded as one of the greatest liberties in the medieval British Isles, and it was certainly the largest and most privileged secular ‘franchise’ in the far North of England. Its position as a liberty on the regional power-map was indeed second only to that of Durham; but its history is much less well known. This chapter attempts to put the liberty more firmly on the historical map of ‘Middle Britain’ in the thirteenth century, for most of which period Tynedale was held by William I (‘the Lion’) and his successors Alexander II (1214–49) and Alexander III (1249–86). It focuses on the liberty's fortunes under these Scots kings, though the concluding section takes matters down to the outbreak of the Wars of Independence in 1296. Before that happened, Tynedale was long a land of peace.
Nicholas V. Riasanovsky
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195156508
- eISBN:
- 9780199868230
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195156508.003.0009
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History
This chapter discusses the events that took place after the death of Nicholas I. It narrates that Nicholas I passed his throne to his son, Alexander II, and instructed him to liberate the serfs. It ...
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This chapter discusses the events that took place after the death of Nicholas I. It narrates that Nicholas I passed his throne to his son, Alexander II, and instructed him to liberate the serfs. It defines Nihilism as concentrated on the individual, whom it promised to liberate from all the prejudices hemming human existence. It mentions some new populist writers who became important and influential. It discusses that Alexander III's reign experienced increased pressure on non-Orthodox denominations and a growth of the policy of Russification. Alexander III was often been described as the first nationalist on the Russian throne. It explains that Nicholas II, Alexander III's eldest son, became the autocratic ruler of Russia after his father's death in 1894.Less
This chapter discusses the events that took place after the death of Nicholas I. It narrates that Nicholas I passed his throne to his son, Alexander II, and instructed him to liberate the serfs. It defines Nihilism as concentrated on the individual, whom it promised to liberate from all the prejudices hemming human existence. It mentions some new populist writers who became important and influential. It discusses that Alexander III's reign experienced increased pressure on non-Orthodox denominations and a growth of the policy of Russification. Alexander III was often been described as the first nationalist on the Russian throne. It explains that Nicholas II, Alexander III's eldest son, became the autocratic ruler of Russia after his father's death in 1894.
D. L. d'Avray
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198208211
- eISBN:
- 9780191716690
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198208211.003.0005
- Subject:
- History, European Medieval History
In the later Middle Ages there was a strange exception to the rule that marriages were indissoluble. A non-consummated marriage could be dissolved even if there were no question of impotence on ...
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In the later Middle Ages there was a strange exception to the rule that marriages were indissoluble. A non-consummated marriage could be dissolved even if there were no question of impotence on either side if the husband or wife chose to enter a religious order. From the 15th century on this developed into a papal power to dissolve unconsummated marriages for other reasons too. The intellectual origins of this development can be traced back to marriage symbolism: only a consummated marriage fully mirrors the passionate union of Christ and the Church, so that only a consummated marriage is fully indissoluble. The Carolingian marriage guru Hincmar of Reims played an early role in forming this doctrine. Alexander III in the 12th century made the ruling about entry into a religious order. Martin V may have been the first to dissolve valid but unconsummated marriages for other reasons. The practice developed further in the early modern period. The main contribution of the chapter is to show that this by-way of Canon Law is more relevant to social history than might be supposed. The evidence of the Apostolic Penitentiary Registers is one of the sources used to demonstrate this.Less
In the later Middle Ages there was a strange exception to the rule that marriages were indissoluble. A non-consummated marriage could be dissolved even if there were no question of impotence on either side if the husband or wife chose to enter a religious order. From the 15th century on this developed into a papal power to dissolve unconsummated marriages for other reasons too. The intellectual origins of this development can be traced back to marriage symbolism: only a consummated marriage fully mirrors the passionate union of Christ and the Church, so that only a consummated marriage is fully indissoluble. The Carolingian marriage guru Hincmar of Reims played an early role in forming this doctrine. Alexander III in the 12th century made the ruling about entry into a religious order. Martin V may have been the first to dissolve valid but unconsummated marriages for other reasons. The practice developed further in the early modern period. The main contribution of the chapter is to show that this by-way of Canon Law is more relevant to social history than might be supposed. The evidence of the Apostolic Penitentiary Registers is one of the sources used to demonstrate this.
Michael Brown
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748612376
- eISBN:
- 9780748672301
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748612376.003.0004
- Subject:
- History, British and Irish Medieval History
On 13 July 1249, less than a week after the death of his father, a boy of almost eight years old was crowned king of Scots as Alexander III. Alan Durward, probably accompanied by others who had been ...
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On 13 July 1249, less than a week after the death of his father, a boy of almost eight years old was crowned king of Scots as Alexander III. Alan Durward, probably accompanied by others who had been with Alexander II in Argyll, deserted the corpse of his dead lord and sped east to be at the inauguration of the new king. The young king was knighted and crowned with full ceremony in an atmosphere of hastily-restored peace — a peace that was kept during the next eighteen months. Alexander probably remained in the household of his mother, Queen Marie, while royal government was in the hands of a council of lords and prelates. However, beneath this harmony lurked rivalry, insecurity and faction. For the first time in living memory Scotland lacked an adult ruler. During 1250 and 1251 anxiety and ambition combined to create new alliances and intensify old rivalries and centred on the figures of Alan Durward and Walter Comyn.Less
On 13 July 1249, less than a week after the death of his father, a boy of almost eight years old was crowned king of Scots as Alexander III. Alan Durward, probably accompanied by others who had been with Alexander II in Argyll, deserted the corpse of his dead lord and sped east to be at the inauguration of the new king. The young king was knighted and crowned with full ceremony in an atmosphere of hastily-restored peace — a peace that was kept during the next eighteen months. Alexander probably remained in the household of his mother, Queen Marie, while royal government was in the hands of a council of lords and prelates. However, beneath this harmony lurked rivalry, insecurity and faction. For the first time in living memory Scotland lacked an adult ruler. During 1250 and 1251 anxiety and ambition combined to create new alliances and intensify old rivalries and centred on the figures of Alan Durward and Walter Comyn.
Colin Morris
- Published in print:
- 1991
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198269250
- eISBN:
- 9780191600708
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198269250.003.0017
- Subject:
- Religion, Church History
In principle, bishops were responsible for ecclesiastical revenues, but in practice other powers had secured vested rights over them. Tithes formed a basic part of the income of the church, while ...
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In principle, bishops were responsible for ecclesiastical revenues, but in practice other powers had secured vested rights over them. Tithes formed a basic part of the income of the church, while efficient bishops were committed to the restoration of alienated estates. The exemption of clergy from royal or civil courts was an issue of vigorous dispute. The formulation of canon law proceeded rapidly: a development against which some critics strongly protested.Less
In principle, bishops were responsible for ecclesiastical revenues, but in practice other powers had secured vested rights over them. Tithes formed a basic part of the income of the church, while efficient bishops were committed to the restoration of alienated estates. The exemption of clergy from royal or civil courts was an issue of vigorous dispute. The formulation of canon law proceeded rapidly: a development against which some critics strongly protested.
Dauvit Broun
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748623600
- eISBN:
- 9780748653416
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748623600.003.0026
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Scottish Studies
This chapter traces the changing perspective on the Scottish kingdom through the bishopric of Glasgow, albeit in a more learned and less certain context. It argues that the see which had been so keen ...
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This chapter traces the changing perspective on the Scottish kingdom through the bishopric of Glasgow, albeit in a more learned and less certain context. It argues that the see which had been so keen to preserve its freedom came, by the 1260s, to base its aspirations on a new conception of Scotland's ancient territorial integrity which embraced the diocese of Glasgow, rather than on an idea that Glasgow was not part of ‘Scotland’. It examines the inauguration of Alexander III on 13 July 1249 and argues that it can be regarded as the earliest extended expression of the claim that Scotland was a sovereign realm.Less
This chapter traces the changing perspective on the Scottish kingdom through the bishopric of Glasgow, albeit in a more learned and less certain context. It argues that the see which had been so keen to preserve its freedom came, by the 1260s, to base its aspirations on a new conception of Scotland's ancient territorial integrity which embraced the diocese of Glasgow, rather than on an idea that Glasgow was not part of ‘Scotland’. It examines the inauguration of Alexander III on 13 July 1249 and argues that it can be regarded as the earliest extended expression of the claim that Scotland was a sovereign realm.
Jan P. Stronk
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- September 2017
- ISBN:
- 9781474414258
- eISBN:
- 9781474430975
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474414258.003.0006
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, World History: BCE to 500CE
After discussing the rise to power of Darius III, Diodorus extensively relates the first stages of the war between Alexander III the Great of Macedon and Darius III up to the Battle of Gaugamela. ...
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After discussing the rise to power of Darius III, Diodorus extensively relates the first stages of the war between Alexander III the Great of Macedon and Darius III up to the Battle of Gaugamela. Subsequently Alexander’s crossing into Asia and his performance at Troy, the Battle of the Granicus and its aftermath, the Battle of Issus, the siege of Tyre, the invasion of Egypt, and the Battle of Gaugamela come to the fore, followed by Alexander’s entry into Persepolis and the fate of this city.Less
After discussing the rise to power of Darius III, Diodorus extensively relates the first stages of the war between Alexander III the Great of Macedon and Darius III up to the Battle of Gaugamela. Subsequently Alexander’s crossing into Asia and his performance at Troy, the Battle of the Granicus and its aftermath, the Battle of Issus, the siege of Tyre, the invasion of Egypt, and the Battle of Gaugamela come to the fore, followed by Alexander’s entry into Persepolis and the fate of this city.
Francis Wcislo
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199543564
- eISBN:
- 9780191725104
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199543564.003.0005
- Subject:
- History, European Modern History, Political History
This chapter examines Witte's visions of empire. Appointed to the ministerial state in 1888 and by 1892 Minister of Finances to Tsar Alexander III, Witte reached the height of his personal and public ...
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This chapter examines Witte's visions of empire. Appointed to the ministerial state in 1888 and by 1892 Minister of Finances to Tsar Alexander III, Witte reached the height of his personal and public powers in the equally triumphant gilded age of the 1890s. He oversaw the construction of a Eurasian transcontinental railroad across Siberia to the Pacific, began to effect the renovation of imperial commercial-industrial life, expanded Russian industrial investment significantly, and brought his modernizing influence to bear throughout the imperial state. His was a vision grounded in the objective economic reality of international capitalism. Economic historians both old and new share the view that Russia's gilded age saw a commercial and industrial expansion of the imperial economy that became self-sustaining. Its motive power, in Witte's always somehow neo-mercantilist mind, derived from the international capitalist order of which the empire was a constituent element; the international circulation of capital, commodities, and labor that coursed through it; and finally, through the instrument of the state, the attraction of capital investment to the imperial economy, and thus the intensification of the movement of goods, capital, and labor that created wealth and power within it.Less
This chapter examines Witte's visions of empire. Appointed to the ministerial state in 1888 and by 1892 Minister of Finances to Tsar Alexander III, Witte reached the height of his personal and public powers in the equally triumphant gilded age of the 1890s. He oversaw the construction of a Eurasian transcontinental railroad across Siberia to the Pacific, began to effect the renovation of imperial commercial-industrial life, expanded Russian industrial investment significantly, and brought his modernizing influence to bear throughout the imperial state. His was a vision grounded in the objective economic reality of international capitalism. Economic historians both old and new share the view that Russia's gilded age saw a commercial and industrial expansion of the imperial economy that became self-sustaining. Its motive power, in Witte's always somehow neo-mercantilist mind, derived from the international capitalist order of which the empire was a constituent element; the international circulation of capital, commodities, and labor that coursed through it; and finally, through the instrument of the state, the attraction of capital investment to the imperial economy, and thus the intensification of the movement of goods, capital, and labor that created wealth and power within it.
G.W.S. Barrow
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748620227
- eISBN:
- 9780748672189
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748620227.003.0001
- Subject:
- History, European Medieval History
This chapter considers the effects of the death of Alexander III 18 March 1286 on the Scottish kingdom. It provides an overview of the main features of Scotland and its people in the later thirteenth ...
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This chapter considers the effects of the death of Alexander III 18 March 1286 on the Scottish kingdom. It provides an overview of the main features of Scotland and its people in the later thirteenth century, rejecting the traditional view of Scotland as a ‘Celtic’ country and instead stressing its mixture of ethnic origins; even so. Celtic traditions had an important part to play in defining aspects of Scottish identity. Scotland's inhabitants spoke a mixture of languages, though by the end of the thirteenth century Gaelic was on the wane on the eastern Scottish seaboard north of the Forth, and north sea trade helped Scotland to build up a wide range of international contacts. The landowning classes, linked across apparent ethnic divides by intermarriage over generations, had a strong political interest in overseeing the succession to the throne and appointed representatives (the ‘Guardians’) to rule the country.Less
This chapter considers the effects of the death of Alexander III 18 March 1286 on the Scottish kingdom. It provides an overview of the main features of Scotland and its people in the later thirteenth century, rejecting the traditional view of Scotland as a ‘Celtic’ country and instead stressing its mixture of ethnic origins; even so. Celtic traditions had an important part to play in defining aspects of Scottish identity. Scotland's inhabitants spoke a mixture of languages, though by the end of the thirteenth century Gaelic was on the wane on the eastern Scottish seaboard north of the Forth, and north sea trade helped Scotland to build up a wide range of international contacts. The landowning classes, linked across apparent ethnic divides by intermarriage over generations, had a strong political interest in overseeing the succession to the throne and appointed representatives (the ‘Guardians’) to rule the country.
