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Henri Pirenne is best known for his provocative argument--known as the "Pirenne thesis" and familiar to all students of medieval Europe--that it was not the invasion of the Germanic tribes that destroyed the civilization of antiquity, but rather the closing of Mediterranean trade by Arab conquest in the seventh century. The consequent interruption of long distance commerce accelerated the decline of the ancient cities of Europe. Pirenne first formulated his thesis in articles and then expanded on them in Medieval Cities. In the book Pirenne traces the growth of the medieval city from the tenth century to the twelfth, challenging conventional wisdom by attributing the origins of medieval cities to the revival of trade. In addition, Pirenne describes the clear role the middle class played in the development of the modern economic system and modern culture. The "Pirenne thesis" was fully worked out in the book Mohammed and Charlemagne, which appeared shortly after Pirenne's death.
List of contents
Introduction by Michael McCormick ix Translator's Foreword xxxiii Preface xxxv Chapter I. The Mediterranean 1 Chapter II. The Ninth Century 16 Chapter III. City Origins 35 Chapter IV. The Revival of Commerce 49 Chapter V. The Merchant Class 68 Chapter VI. The Middle Class 84 Chapter VII. Municipal Institutions 109 Chapter VIII. Cities and European Civilization 138 Bibliography 153 Index 157
About the author
Henri Pirenne (1862-1935) was professor emeritus at Ghent University and one of the world's leading historians. His books include
Mohammed and Charlemagne and
Economic and Social History of Medieval Europe.
Michael McCormick is the Francis Goelet Professor of Medieval History at Harvard University.
Summary
Nearly a century after it was first published in 1925, Medieval Cities remains one of the most provocative works of medieval history ever written. This book argues that it was not the invasion of the Germanic tribes that destroyed the civilization of antiquity, but rather the closing of Mediterranean trade by Arab conquest in the seventh century.
Additional text
"Praise for the previous edition: "An indispensable complement to the confusing history of the Carolingian period and early days of European civic development. . . . In short, it is one of the best sort of contributions to historical writing--those which combine simplicity with erudition and imagination with accuracy."
Report
"An indispensable complement to the confusing history of the Carolingian period and early days of European civic development. . . . In short, it is one of the best sort of contributions to historical writing--those which combine simplicity with erudition and imagination with accuracy."--New Statesman (London)
