Feudal Society and the Rise of Courtly Love (11th-13th Centuries)
Feudal Society (11th-13th Centuries)
Social Classes
- Nobility: Managed lands, held command, resided in castles and palaces.
- Commoners: Worked the land, tended animals, lived in huts made of mud and reeds.
To exert control over the commoners, the nobility established a hierarchy of loyal followers bound by oaths of fealty and dependence.
Oath of Allegiance
The hierarchical relationships between nobles were formalized through written contracts and rituals of homage and oaths of allegiance. The lord granted
Read MoreTirant lo Blanc and Ausiàs March: Exploring Medieval Valencian Literature
Tirant lo Blanc: A Pioneering Novel
Joanot Martorell, a medieval Valencian writer born between 1413 and 1415, is renowned for his authorship of Tirant lo Blanc. Considered the first modern European novel, this complex and unique work places Martorell among the greatest authors of Catalan and universal literature. Born into a noble family originally from Gandia but residing in Valencia since 1400, Martorell led a vibrant life as a knight, with travels to England, Portugal, and Italy. His grandfather
Read MoreModern Galician Literature: Authors, Trends, and Evolution
Modern Galician Literature
Prominent Authors
Manuel Rivas
Journalist and writer, Rivas enjoys success both in Galicia and internationally. His extensive literary output includes poetry, novels, short stories, drama, and journalistic chronicles. Notable novels include All Is Good, Eating Potatoes, Wild Company, Do You Love Me, Love?, The Carpenter’s Pencil, and The Hand of the Paíños. His work often features an ironic and sympathetic view of Galicia, blending rural and urban elements. Humorous notes
Read MoreForms of Government in Ancient Rome: Monarchy, Republic, and Empire
Forms of Government in Ancient Rome
1. Monarchy
In its early history, Rome, like Greece, was a monarchy. Tradition holds that between 753 and 509 BC, Rome had seven kings, from Romulus to Tarquinius Superbus.
The king (rex) held social, political, and military authority. Like a god, the king rode through the city in a chariot while others walked, carrying a scepter and gold crown, symbolizing his ownership of the city. He was accompanied by lictors carrying fasces, a symbol of royal power, used to
Read MoreEpic and Novel in Latin Literature: A Historical Overview
Epic Poetry in Latin Literature
The Origins of Epic Poetry
Epic poetry tells stories of war or deeds of heroes or mythical characters. Most cultures have a great epic that chronicles the adventures of their national hero. This primitive epic, of oral character, was a conglomerate of poems which the rhapsodies sang. However, there came a time when some of these songs were written down by one or more authors. Two great Greek epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are attributed to Homer. From that moment,
Read MoreRoman Theatre: Origins, Genres, and Plays
Origins
Roman youth improvised and composed songs for short, scenic pieces called “saturae.” Satura is the combination of music, dance performances, and dialogue. The Fescennine verses, religious dramas, and wedding songs were improvised with burlesque characters and dialogue. The Atellan farces were short, improvised farces with a satirical and comic tone, equipped with a rudimentary plot and fixed characters. The mimes were performed during the Floralia, in honor of the goddess Flora. They were
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