Keywords: dava; castrum; castellum; Moesia Inferior
La position géographique du site lui a donné une place à part dans les préoccupations stratégiques et économiques des empires et populations qui sont entrées en contact avec le territoire danubien-pontique, ce qui se voit en particulier dans le nombre, la variété et la qualité des découvertes archéologiques, fortuites ou dues aux fouilles systématiques. Aussi le site le Bărboşi occupe-t-il une place de choix dans l’évolution et la compréhension des phénomènes historiques du dernier siècle de l’âge païen et le premier siècle de l’âge chrétien dans la région du Bas Danube. Les fouilles archéologiques modernes ont révélé un établissement géto-dace fortifié à trois niveaux d’habitation: les matériels les plus anciens se datent à la fin du IIe siècle av. J.-C., et les plus récents, du règne de Domitien (81-96), éventuellement jusqu’aux guerres daco-romaines au commencement du deuxième siècle chrétien. Dans l’établissement gétique, défendu d’un fossé et un vallum à palissade, on a trouvé des types variés de complexes (demeures, ateliers, fosses etc.), avec un mobilier abondant et divers. Le grand nombre des importations identifiées, corroboré avec la situation stratégique des voies maritimes et terrestres importantes, témoigne d’une activité économique intense pour vendre des produits grecs, ensuite romains, aux peuples habitant au nord du Danube. Superposée d’un nivellement qui a grandement endommagé les vestiges antérieurs, l’habitation romaine se développe au début dans le contexte des guerres daco-romaines; nous y avons identifié: a) un castellum, bâti en une première étape en terre, et peu après, en pierre (il existe encore, du mur d’enceinte, une partie du côté oriental, avec tumulus dans le coin de sud-est et quelques morceaux des autres côtés), b) un castrum en pierre situé à l’ouest du castellum, dont on n’a pu explorer que partiellement, les côtés ouest et nord (dimensions probables, 350x150m).
More...Keywords: Wallachia;Hungary;Church of Curtea de Arges
In 1920, the first rulers of Wallachia were still deemed – rather wealthy – peasants that reigned in just and pious manner over lands still uncorrupted by – more modern – stylish vices and aims. A grave completely changed this picture born out of the Romanian political needs of the early 20th century. Almost a century later, the impact of this grave is still far from being exhausted. This is perhaps the greatest and simplest mystery housed by this grave, commonly debated as well as adored. After the end of the Great War (1914−1918) that also brought in 1916 and in 1917 the devastations of the graves of Mircea I cel Bătrân/cel Mare (the Elder/the Great) in Cozia and Radu IV cel Mare at Dealu, two figures – in particular the former – of paramount importance – both in history as well as in historiography – for Wallachia and Romania, the interest in historical legitimacy increased as the Kingdom of Romania was about to officially become Grand Romania. The researches – in the end highly interdisciplinary (even according to modern standards) – conducted at the Princely St. Nicholas Church in Curtea de Argeş were a prime example of these efforts. The most important discovery was – unquestionably – the so-called Grave 10, the only fully preserved – even until the present day – burial in Wallachia of a high ranking medieval political figure. The tomb was attributed to the legendary Negru Vodă (known also as Radu the Black), (even to) Basarab I, Wladislaw I or Radu I. The new researches initiated – both at the “princely court” and at the “princely church” – almost four decades later at Curtea de Argeş (1967−1973) should have led to more clarity. Instead, they fuelled controversies and confusions in spite of the discovery of an older church – presumed since the 1930s – underneath the extant princely church (commonly dated after 1340, with – at times – emphasis on the 1360s). Because the first church was dated even to the early 1200s (the dating of the so-called Argeş I Church further – and significantly more likely – ranges between the mid 1200s and the early 1300s) and as Grave 10 was increasingly associated with either Wladislaw I (1364 − c. 1377) or Radu I (c. 1377 − c. 1383), little or no connection was established between Argeş I and Grave 10, ascribed to the – since the early 1970s called – Argeş II Church, albeit the fact that the evidence suggested a different approach (already since the Interwar period and especially after the late 1960s and the early 1970s). The growing speculations and mounting controversies following the discovery of Grave 10 have diverted attention from the primary source: the journal of excavations of Virgiliu Drăghiceanu.
More...Keywords: ideological potential of epistemological theories; 20th century epistemology; epistemological subversion; violence of knowledge; Goethe; Blaga.
Epistemology is supposed to explain how science works in theory as well as in practice. But a discipline which reflects on the way science works also reflects on the status of science as a part of culture, i.e. it implicitly handles the question whether science is or is not more rational and efficient than other areas of culture such as myths, religious systems, the arts or the human sciences. The following article can be broken down into two main parts. In the first part (section I), I argue that epistemological theories can be exploited ideologically according to the way they relate to science and that many popular epistemologists of the 20th century (such as Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos or Feyerabend) tend to subvert the idea of science as a rational, self-contained enterprise. Although these theories do not damage the reputation of science in my opinion, they are subversive in that they help weaken the claim that science should be deemed the most rational form of knowledge at man’s disposal. In the second part of the article (sections II and III) I will present a special form of epistemological subversion, one that recognizes knowledge itself as a violent act (i.e. as a potential threat to nature), thus taking into account „nature’s point of view” as well. This type of subversion can be found in the views of science put forward by poets such as Johann Wolfgang Goethe or Lucian Blaga. In the synopsis, I bring together the aspects discussed in all three sections, emphasizing the idea that every epistemological theory implicitly deals with the fears which may derive from the domination of science over other forms of knowledge.
More...Même inachevé, l’étude de l’illustre savant Petru Caraman suscite toujours le plus vif intérêt. L’objet de la recherche est représenté par le thème légendaire du mariage d’un dieu et d’une mortelle. En identifiant l’histoire des Métamorphoses à une conte populaire, dont le héros ôte, durant la nuit, sa peau de dragon, l’ethnologue essaie de découvrir quand et d’où est entré le motif en cause dans une création culte tellement ancienne. Car, contrairement aux autres chercheurs, l’auteur ne doute pas un instant de l’origine purement folklorique du thème en cause. Les opinions contraires sont analysées attentivement et combattues avec des arguments très convaincants.
More...Keywords: ”heroes of the Great War”; ”victories”; ”defeats”;” Romania in the Great War”;
The war notes of Lieutenant Marin Gherghină, one of the heroes of the Great War, are an important document from 100 hundred years ago, which has been preserved until today. Marin Gherghină narrates, with a real talent, his itinerary on the front during the interminable marches he executed, and at the same time he writes to a possible reader about the victories and the defeats suffered in the first line of battle, about the cold, the hunger, the fear, the courage, the patriotism, the faith in God and in the good of the country. The publishing of these notes represents the recuperation of the history of a Romanian First World War hero.
More...Keywords: University of Iasi; academia; local history;
The Memory of the Academic Space series aims to honor the personalities that served the "Alexandru Ioan Cuza" University of Iași throughout its history.
More...Keywords: students; professors; University of Iași; studies abroad;
The second part of our research deals with several issues such as the image of the Romanian students within the new education institutions, accommodation in the new environment, relationships with colleagues, financial difficulties, academic life and periods of exams, leisure and, finally, after their returning home, the employment in the Romanian educational system, in many cases. Once arrived in a Western university, the Romanian scholar entered a new world, where the numerous features of the civilized world were accompanied by a bureaucracy (especially in France) more oppressive than the one at home. In this bright environment, the young scholar could have easily lose his purpose, which was to obtain a diploma certifying special skills. In 1862, Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza warned about the scholars who fell into temptation and ”got lost”, thus enhancing the image deficit of the new Romanian state. That was one more reason for the Romanian authorities to control carefully the behavior of scholars abroad. The most important issue for the scholar just arrived in the education institution abroad was to find appropriate accommodation for study, close to school and less expensive. Since during the 19th century real accommodation channels were built, some of the students appealed to the host of friends and acquaintances; that was the case of V. A. Urechia, who, once in Paris, accommodates to pere Loriot, former host of Vasile Alecsandri. In Paris, the scholars found support, traditionally, in the Society of the Romanian Students, founded in 1845-1846 by a group of enthusiastic young and placed, so as to obtain more visibility, under the patronage of the poet Lamartine. The French metropolis provided the young scholars a Romanian library and an Orthodox Church where, in the early 1860’s, the Archimandrite Arhipescu served, thus making easy the students’ integration and connection with the Romanian environment, which was vital for those who had been abroad for a long time. In terms of linguistics, the accommodation of young scholars to the new environment was relatively fast, especially when they already knew the language, even to the average level. Interestingly, although the selection of scholars did not take into account their linguistic abilities, it was thought that, once arrived at the destination, the young needed one or two month to accommodate (if he already knew the language) or even more (in case of “exotic” languages); this period was useful for the young student to familiarize with the new environment and to prepare for attending the lectures and interact with teachers and classmates. Homesickness was a constant of living abroad. Usually, it appeared at the scholar’s departure from home and stuck to him during the study journey, until his return. Both the elite representatives (more cosmopolitan, but used to a secure living and environment) and the young lacking financial possibilities (who, although unfamiliar with trendiness, had less reason to miss their home conditions) faced this sentimental crisis. The accommodation difficulties met the financial ones, felt both by those sustained financially by the family and those who received a grant. In fact, both categories had to pay high school fees, rent and meals etc. Whatever resources were available for the students, money were never enough, especially in cosmopolitan centers, where offers and temptations were unlimited. In theory, students were ensured some cash flow, even with modest stipends. In practice, the main issue was that the grants arrived late and in many cases (whether they were paid on time or not) were considered too small to allow the beneficiaries to focus on studying and not to worry about the daily living. Among the university centers, Paris provided the most advanced study opportunities. Here, the students eager to study found the best conditions in libraries, classrooms, laboratories and special equipment for study. Once arrived in the City of Light, the student adapted quickly and, despite the financial difficulties, he was not very fond of returning home. At the foundation of the University of Iaşi, the teaching staff with French studies were a minority, while German-trained Professors predominated. This situation changed in a few years, as vacant chairs were taken mainly by former scholars in Paris (followed by those in Turin, Berlin and Madrid), so that by late 1860’s the situation reversed. At the Faculty of Science, with only one exception, the academics hired during this period had studied in Paris, namely N. Culianu, Gr. Cobălcescu, I. M. Melik, Miltiade Tzony. However, paradoxically, the teachers in Iaşi were attracted, in the following years, by the German, Humboldian, academic model, which promoted freedom of knowledge, autonomy of Professors and students and a close connection between education and research. These former scholars, along with many others, contributed to increased student attendance to classes and the percentage of graduated from foreign universities; among the most important conditions for receiving the grant from the state were the eagerness of attending classes, taking the exams and becoming bachelor or PhD. While the atmosphere in German centers was more relaxed, a fact reflected also by the percentage of doctors, a certain strictness ruled the French capital. In Paris, taking the exams and bachelor degrees proved to be difficult, regardless the domain of specialization. Here also there is a certain, natural evolution, with variations from one faculty to another. For the young Moldavians, PhD in law in Paris was very rare until the 1860’s. Very well documented, Constantin C. Angelescu identifies only one in the previous period, while the Bibliografia by Georges Bengesco does not mention any PhD Moldavian in the seventh decade; the bachelors also do not seem to have been very numerous (Gh. Mârzescu, Titu Maiorescu etc.). Medicine was a little better represented, also by the presence of Ioan Ciurea, PhD in medicine in Paris (later Professor at the Faculty of Law in Iaşi). It must be said that the domain of Letters enjoyed a special situation in Paris: the influx of trainees and ordinary students did not require for symmetry in terms of obtaining academic qualifications. The bachelor degrees were difficult to obtain, while the doctorates were exceptions for the foreign students, as only four (and none Romanian) took the degree by 1860. In the Sciences, despite the small number of scholars, the bachelor degrees were more common (Culianu, Cobălcescu, Poni, Melik, Tzony) and, even with the doctorates delay, the advance against Letters maintained until late, towards the end of the century. Taking into consideration the differences among characters, it should be still discussed, more carefully, the influence on cultural transfers of former students abroad, after their returning home and employment in the public system. Obviously, the cultural space where the young completed their education had a strong influence on them, which determined their support (often in opposition to supporters of other models) for the values assimilated during the studies. The time spent studying away from home, isolated from the Romanian society, gave the young students the chance to taste freedom, so compelling in our area, in all its forms (freedom of movement, of ideas, of morals etc.); they also shaped strong characters, influenced destinies, imposed values and formed specialists which influenced the local academic environment of the 19th century. This constant increase in the number of characters well trained in great European centers maintained a relatively young teaching staff. At the same time, the phenomenon protected the University of Iaşi of pronounced rudimentary accents and attenuated somehow the relative provincial feeling. Most of the scholars grew up rapidly, both professionally and ideologically, and became aware of their public image, which they maintain carefully, while developing carrier strategies. Their opinion became more important in issues regarding their domain of specialization and the great challenges of the Romanian society of the time. They brought in the country and imposed ideas, practices and even institutions, such as the Athenee of V. A. Urechia, following a similar model in Madrid and the Upper Normal Schools founded in 1874, after a French model, in addition to the two Romanian universities. In the same manner, the bachelors in Sciences brought new criteria for the organization of laboratories and sustained the necessity of acquiring modern didactic material and instruments. Aware of the need for tools to train the young generation, many of the newcomers began to compile handbooks, even if the financial advantages of such an initiative were not to be neglected. Above all, however, and also important for the destiny of the University of Iaşi, the former students returned with a new attitude towards work and with a strong view on excellence in education, which, to be right, was not always meant to resist easily in the Romanian space.
More...Keywords: Patriarchate of Antioch; Monastery Popăuți; Patriarch Silvestru; Ioan Mavrocordat; Constantin Racoviță; Gheorghe Cantacuzino; worship;
This study presents for the first time, in its second part, starting from the historical context illustrated in the first part, the dedication of Monastery Saint Nicholas Popăuți to the Patriarchate of Antioch by Constantin Racoviță, the Prince of Moldavia, being in a constant correspondence with Patriarch Sylvester; also identifying the properties of the monastery from Botoșani, Vaslui and from Bessarabia and, implicitly, of new founders, by detecting and using the documentary sources in national and foreign archives as well as the evolution of the properties until the secularization.
More...Keywords: "Zionism"; "Judaism"; "Security"; "Romania"; "Communism"; "Galați";
During the first two decades of the Communist government, Zionism represented a major priority for the Communist political police (the Security). The persons who were particularly under survey were the Jewish religious leaders, suspected of promoting Zionist ideas and other standpoints favouring the United States, the great enemy of Communism. The documents comprised in the present study reveal new pieces of information regarding the way the Security used to collect information from the Jewish community of towns such as Galați, Focșani, Tecuci, Brăila or Tulcea. They also convey new data regarding the situation of the Synagogues and of the Rabbis from the area of Lower Danube, during the first decades of the Communist regime.
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