This course offers an overview of the most recent research on the environmental history of the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages. Starting from a general introduction on the human history of the Mediterranean, as it has been defined, developed and changed since the middle of the 20th century, this module will present the latest developments in a new research area, the environmental history of the Mediterranean, exploring interactions between environment and society and how historians are analysing and presenting them. We will start by considering how environmental historians define their sub-discipline, the sources and methodologies they use, and issues in the field. Over the course we will consider a series of case studies that will cover different time periods, different parts of the Mediterranean world (with a special focus on case studies dedicated to Venice, the Adriatic sea, the Byzantine empire and the Crusader states) and different approaches.
- Teacher: Alessandra BUCOSSI