Conquer Club

Thought I'd start a thread for all those who either currently study history or plan to. There seems to be a fair number

What's your period? Specialisation? What are your interests? Where do you study?

I'm a medieval historian and I specialise in the crusades, but I have an interest in both Southern Italy and Sicily (the Normans) and the Holy Roman Empire in the same period (c. 900 - 1300).

I'm currently researching my doctorate.

My area of study is Latin America. My focus is early 20th century Brazil. My thematic specialty is discourses of modernization.

In approximately one month I will complete my Masters. In September of next year I'll start my PhD, unless I REALLY screw up this next month, I guess.

My area of study is Ancient Greece and Rome. From the Early Republic to the Fall of the Western Empire.

I have only just begun it in college, but have researched a fair amount about these two areas. Especially in the Military aspects of them.

muy_thaiguy wrote:My area of study is Ancient Greece and Rome. From the Early Republic to the Fall of the Western Empire.

I have only just begun it in college, but have researched a fair amount about these two areas. Especially in the Military aspects of them.

I did some classical stuff as an undergrad, but I'm afraid I much preferred the ancient near east (Assyrians, Babylonians, the Old Testement period etc.). I don't know why, really. Its certainly an interesting period, though. One factor I find particularly intriguing is the extent to which classical Rome shaped Europe. I can't get my head around how vast a cultural behemoth the empire must have been.

Think EU...

Guiscard wrote:

muy_thaiguy wrote:My area of study is Ancient Greece and Rome. From the Early Republic to the Fall of the Western Empire.

I have only just begun it in college, but have researched a fair amount about these two areas. Especially in the Military aspects of them.

I did some classical stuff as an undergrad, but I'm afraid I much preferred the ancient near east (Assyrians, Babylonians, the Old Testement period etc.). I don't know why, really. Its certainly an interesting period, though. One factor I find particularly intriguing is the extent to which classical Rome shaped Europe. I can't get my head around how vast a cultural behemoth the empire must have been.

I know, that's one of the reasons that it fascinates me. After all, not many Empires were so culturally diverse as they were. (A few like the British Empire and Alexander the Greats and The Mongol Empire, but not much else.)

Much as Guiscard will disagree with me, I must say that Rome was a nothing in comparison to Ancient Grrece (culturally that is). If you want to understand Europe understand Ancient Greece. And learn Ancient Greek

Napoleon Ier wrote:Much as Guiscard will disagree with me, I must say that Rome was a nothing in comparison to Ancient Grrece (culturally that is). If you want to understand Europe understand Ancient Greece. And learn Ancient Greek

I wasn't aware you studied history too. Which period?

Why would I disagree with you? Ancient Greece is also a crucial factor in any examination of post-classical Europe, especially in terms of philosophy, mathematics, science, and perhaps even the idea of the nation state itself. I'm looking towards Rome, however, for the legal structures, the social fabric of society and, most important, the cultural and ideological roots which underpin the entire Europe right through to the early modern period.

Guiscard wrote:

Napoleon Ier wrote:Much as Guiscard will disagree with me, I must say that Rome was a nothing in comparison to Ancient Grrece (culturally that is). If you want to understand Europe understand Ancient Greece. And learn Ancient Greek

I wasn't aware you studied history too. Which period?

Why would I disagree with you? Ancient Greece is also a crucial factor in any examination of post-classical Europe, especially in terms of philosophy, mathematics, science, and perhaps even the idea of the nation state itself. I'm looking towards Rome, however, for the legal structures, the social fabric of society and, most important, the cultural and ideological roots which underpin the entire Europe right through to the early modern period.

I agree with Guiscard, Ancient Greece was one of the most influential cultures in history. Culturally, Philosphically, and Military wise.

Guiscard wrote:

Napoleon Ier wrote:Much as Guiscard will disagree with me, I must say that Rome was a nothing in comparison to Ancient Grrece (culturally that is). If you want to understand Europe understand Ancient Greece. And learn Ancient Greek

I wasn't aware you studied history too. Which period?

Why would I disagree with you? Ancient Greece is also a crucial factor in any examination of post-classical Europe, especially in terms of philosophy, mathematics, science, and perhaps even the idea of the nation state itself. I'm looking towards Rome, however, for the legal structures, the social fabric of society and, most important, the cultural and ideological roots which underpin the entire Europe right through to the early modern period.

I study 20th century Europe and Classical Civilization.

In Croatia we study all of the history so it's a mess. At the end of my studies my final work was "The founding" of Dubrovnik (till the year of 1000) so it's a late antic and early medieval period. And my mentor was very pleased and promised to give me letter of recommendation for any foreign college doctor studies (btw he is ex-dean).

But the period that I really like is first half of the 20th century (till WWII), especially Regional (Central European & Balkan) and Croatian part of it.
Currently, as I don't have a job, I'm working for myself in the archives. I plan to publish something about the film & Kingdom of Yugoslavia regime (why were films banned or censored) and second about people that were persecuted for cursing King, Queen and (Prime)ministers.

Guiscard wrote:Thought I'd start a thread for all those who either currently study history or plan to. There seems to be a fair number

What's your period? Specialisation? What are your interests? Where do you study?

I'm a medieval historian and I specialise in the crusades, but I have an interest in both Southern Italy and Sicily (the Normans) and the Holy Roman Empire in the same period (c. 900 - 1300).

I'm currently researching my doctorate.

Well Normans were skilled warriors who participated in great numbers in early crusades. They even raided Croatia (Norman duke Amico in 1074) and captured one of our Kings Petar Krešimir IV.

History of Native Americans and the Samurai are my two focuses... I read lots of books, but they are not, of course, areas of study in school for me.

ignotus wrote:Well Normans were skilled warriors who participated in great numbers in early crusades. They even raided Croatia (Norman duke Amico in 1074) and captured one of our Kings Petar Krešimir IV.

Indeed they did. In England if you say 'Norman' no-one has a clue other than William the Conqueror) (or the Bastard to his contemporaries). I've done some work on the Norman inroads into the Balkans, but more in relation to attacks on Byzantine territory. They are certainly one of the most interesting peoples I've come across, and they've played such a major role that it is remarkable they are unrecognized outside of Medieval study.

You might want to get my brother in law in on this - he majored in History at Tulane and graduated first in his class. His main interest is in the Civil War, and his moniker here is magruder.

Guiscard wrote:

ignotus wrote:Well Normans were skilled warriors who participated in great numbers in early crusades. They even raided Croatia (Norman duke Amico in 1074) and captured one of our Kings Petar Krešimir IV.

Indeed they did. In England if you say 'Norman' no-one has a clue other than William the Conqueror) (or the Bastard to his contemporaries). I've done some work on the Norman inroads into the Balkans, but more in relation to attacks on Byzantine territory. They are certainly one of the most interesting peoples I've come across, and they've played such a major role that it is remarkable they are unrecognized outside of Medieval study.

I agree. Although we our coastal cities had contacts with Norman towns on the other side of Adriatic we still don't know much about them. Later came french family Anjou to Kings of Southern Italy (and Sicily) and they became Croatian rulers in 13th century. This part of Croatian History, as of most parts, are still in the dark...
Nominally Croatian king was for a long time just Croatian duke, his title (the king of Croats) and power over our coastal cities (which were inhabited by ex-roman population) was a gift from Byzantine emperors.

Guiscard wrote:

ignotus wrote:Well Normans were skilled warriors who participated in great numbers in early crusades. They even raided Croatia (Norman duke Amico in 1074) and captured one of our Kings Petar Krešimir IV.

Indeed they did. In England if you say 'Norman' no-one has a clue other than William the Conqueror) (or the Bastard to his contemporaries). I've done some work on the Norman inroads into the Balkans, but more in relation to attacks on Byzantine territory. They are certainly one of the most interesting peoples I've come across, and they've played such a major role that it is remarkable they are unrecognized outside of Medieval study.

I hate to tell you but they were Norman in none but name. The aristocracy was norse but the vas majority were Bretons or descendants of the Belgii from Flanders, both Gallic peoples. They adopted a standard oil language and their culture was more or less imported from France. (I refer to the Normandy Normans, naturally those left in Sicily went a different path.

Th Normans, my point is, were almost always simply assimilated

Alright, I posted it in the majors thread and I'll post it here too...

I REALLY want to be a history major, but I've never been convinced of how it would be useful in life. Sure, I could be a history teacher, but I've always felt that a book could do the same job as a history teacher. So... why should I be a history teacher and what is the use of history except having some cool stories to tell?

Napoleon Ier wrote:

Guiscard wrote:

ignotus wrote:Well Normans were skilled warriors who participated in great numbers in early crusades. They even raided Croatia (Norman duke Amico in 1074) and captured one of our Kings Petar Krešimir IV.

Indeed they did. In England if you say 'Norman' no-one has a clue other than William the Conqueror) (or the Bastard to his contemporaries). I've done some work on the Norman inroads into the Balkans, but more in relation to attacks on Byzantine territory. They are certainly one of the most interesting peoples I've come across, and they've played such a major role that it is remarkable they are unrecognized outside of Medieval study.

I hate to tell you but they were Norman in none but name. The aristocracy was norse but the vas majority were Bretons or descendants of the Belgii from Flanders, both Gallic peoples. They adopted a standard oil language and their culture was more or less imported from France. (I refer to the Normandy Normans, naturally those left in Sicily went a different path.

Th Normans, my point is, were almost always simply assimilated

Guiscard & myself were talking about Normans in Southern Italy. Not the Normandy's Normans...

Napoleon Ier wrote:I hate to tell you but they were Norman in none but name. The aristocracy was norse but the vas majority were Bretons or descendants of the Belgii from Flanders, both Gallic peoples. They adopted a standard oil language and their culture was more or less imported from France. (I refer to the Normandy Normans, naturally those left in Sicily went a different path.

Th Normans, my point is, were almost always simply assimilated

What on earth or you rabbiting on about?

I've been fasciniated with history, and I'll probably study once I get into college. I personally like the modern europe, namely the cold war. But right now I'm taking US history, and it ain't that bad.

OnlyAmbrose wrote:Alright, I posted it in the majors thread and I'll post it here too...

I REALLY want to be a history major, but I've never been convinced of how it would be useful in life. Sure, I could be a history teacher, but I've always felt that a book could do the same job as a history teacher. So... why should I be a history teacher and what is the use of history except having some cool stories to tell?

You could be a historian and help write the books. Uncovering new historical slants on things, interpreting evidence in new ways or, indeed, discovering new evidence! The joy of history is in discovering it for yourself. I know that when I, for example, wrote a paper on the Siege of Damascus I was looking at it in a way no historian had before, and my conclusions have helped other historians who study the period (hopefully). It all contributes to a greater understanding as a whole.

Guiscard wrote:

OnlyAmbrose wrote:Alright, I posted it in the majors thread and I'll post it here too...

I REALLY want to be a history major, but I've never been convinced of how it would be useful in life. Sure, I could be a history teacher, but I've always felt that a book could do the same job as a history teacher. So... why should I be a history teacher and what is the use of history except having some cool stories to tell?

You could be a historian and help write the books. Uncovering new historical slants on things, interpreting evidence in new ways or, indeed, discovering new evidence! The joy of history is in discovering it for yourself. I know that when I, for example, wrote a paper on the Siege of Damascus I was looking at it in a way no historian had before, and my conclusions have helped other historians who study the period (hopefully). It all contributes to a greater understanding as a whole.

You should change your sig to the....if you would like to join the historian recruitement agency click here.

Norman culture was welded together based on where they found themselves. I referred specifically to those of Normandy,I know about them in some detail. Equally applicable to those in Italy or elsewhere. They were simply assimilated into the culture of wherever they came to find themselves.

OnlyAmbrose wrote:Alright, I posted it in the majors thread and I'll post it here too...

I REALLY want to be a history major, but I've never been convinced of how it would be useful in life. Sure, I could be a history teacher, but I've always felt that a book could do the same job as a history teacher. So... why should I be a history teacher and what is the use of history except having some cool stories to tell?

I'm unemployed and I have a whole bunch cool stories to tell you. I was one of the best students on my year, I volunteered at my Faculty (three years in library and one year in computer lab). I have a great CV and I still don't have a job?
When I'm begin to think that I didn't make something right in my life so far I just look on all my work and how he is fascinating me and that's what keeps me going forward in life.
You wont earn million bucks by being historian but it's a great job.