The project explores the social dimensions of the so called “Transformation of the Roman World”. It is less concerned with the well explored redefinition of Roman elite culture, but focuses on societal models which were developed at councils and synods.
Conceptually, the project combines recent approaches to rank and social order from the field of Medieval studies with the concept of intersectionality in order to address especially the dynamics and interdependency of social and ecclesiastical hierarchies, which characterise the synodal records.
Chronologically, the project covers the period from c. 400 to 850, thus exploring long-term developments. Geographically, it compares the Frankish with the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms to show exemplarily the regional diversity of this social transformation.