The Beginnings of an Empire. The Transformation of the Ottoman State into an Empire, demonstrated at the example of Grand Vizier Mahmud Pasha’s life and accomplishmentsThe following seminar paper deals with Grand Vizier Mahmud Pasha’s life and the processes that turned an Ottoman principality into the Ottoman Empire. Starting with Sultan Mehmed’s II appointment in 1444, important practices such as the nomination of a grand vizier changed significantly. Moreover, Mehmed II built a new palace which reflected the new imperial self-perception, a new code of law was installed, and the empire was centralised. All these developments become especially visible in the life of Grand Vizier Mahmud Pasha Angelovic. The paper examines secondary literature as well as contemporary sources of Kritobolous and Ibn Khaldun. Sources on Mahmud Pasha’s life are rare and need to be analysed with caution as his posthumous legend influenced the production of literature about his life.

Max Weber and the spirit of Marxism? “Historical Materialism” in Weber’s workMax Weber's methodological and historical approaches are often seen as a refutation of Karl Marx's epistemological and socio-economic theories. However, Weber developed his theories several decades after Marx, and the following paper discusses the question of whether there are traces of Marx's work in two of Weber's most influential publications. The aim is to show that there are lines of argumentation in both his methodological framework and his historical analysis that point to a certain, albeit subtle, influence that Karl Marx's theory of "historical materialism" exerted on Weber.

Downton Mania. The Television Series “Downton Abbey” and its Impact on Public History and Film TourismThe following seminar-paper examines the potential of historical television series for historical science. Using the television series "Downton Abbey" as an example, it shows series’ effects on public history and film tourism. The main argument is that historical series increase public interest in history and thus make it possible to communicate historical topics to a broader audience.

A Habsburg Source in the Struggle against France: The Power of Attorney of Emperor Frederick III to King Maximilian, 1493This paper deals with a medieval source that has received little attention in research so far: the power of attorney of Emperor Frederick III to King Maximilian of 1493. This historical document, which calls for the punishment of the French king, is marked by years of conflict between Maximilian I and Charles VIII of France. The source provides a crucial insight into the propaganda of Frederick III and Maximilian I.

Cotton, Ivory and Glass Beads. Perspectives of Austrian Travellers on the Establishment of an "Informal Empire" in 19th Century SudanThe following article examines travel accounts of explorers, travellers and officials close to the Habsburg Monarchy. It focusses on the economic aspects of the 19th century Austrian presence in Sudan. As will be shown, several Austrians attempted to engage in local trade in ways that sought to establish an "informal empire".

Vorarlberg in the Crisis Years 1816 and 1817: Reasons and EffectsBetween 1812 and 1817, the so-called "Little Ice Age" in Central Europe reached its climax. During this period, the summers were two to three degrees colder than the 20th century average. In addition to the economic depression caused by the Napoleonic Wars, the eruption of the volcano Tambora in April 1815 further exacerbated the situation. The consequences of the climatic changes affected the whole world and resulted in the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816. The effects of the climatic fluctuation also had an impact on the following year with famines and natural disasters still being a huge problem. Also in Vorarlberg, this resulted in terrible disasters: Flooding, avalanches and crop failures led to years of crisis in Vorarlberg.

The change in the social role of the Samurai ranks during the Meiji RestorationThe creation of the nation state and its influence on the respective societies characterized the 19th century – not only in Europe. As a result of the Meiji Restoration, which initiated the formation of modern Japan in the 1860s, feudalism came to an end. By using Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of capital and class distinction, the goal of this study is to illuminate and evaluate the social status of the former warrior nobility, the samurai, under these changed circumstances.

A look into Hosser's kitchen. Analysis of chef Jakob Hosser's accounts on food used during the siege of Weineck Castle (1292)The following seminar paper examines the catering of Otto von Königsberg's troops at the siege of Weineck Castle in 1292. Firstly, the dispute between Meinhard II. and the Bishops of Trient as well as older Tyrolean accounting books are discussed. Then, the primary sources – Hosser’s accounts – are analyzed. It will be shown that Hosser’s records allow interesting conclusions on the diet of the siege troops and the chef's purchasing of goods. The analysis shows among other things that the food supply was highly differentiated, consisted largely of animal products and was subject to certain fluctuations.

The memory of the Krimmler Tauernflucht. Scientific research and public history initiativesThe following seminar paper examines the memory of the Krimmler Tauernflucht, a journey of a group of Jews from Eastern Europe across an Austrian alpine pass to reach Palestine in 1947. For almost forty years, this historical event was ignored by historians and the public, but the anniversaries in 1997, 2007 and 2017 as well as the founding of Alpine Peace Crossing in 2007 have brought new momentum. As a result, various initiatives have emerged and the crossing is now also being prominently addressed in the field of public history.

Pons et cella penaria – The importance of Sicily for the formation of the Roman Empire on the basis of Ciceros “In Verrem”In the year 70 BCE, one of the most renowned trials in Roman history took place: The lawsuit of Gaius Verres, former propraetor of the Roman province Sicilia. Marcus Tullius Cicero, taking up the role of the claimant in this trial, wrote a series of speeches against Verres (“In Verrem”). Therein he stated, among other things, the importance of Sicily for the Roman Empire. As the first Roman province, it introduced the Romans to a new system of governing foreign territory. It functioned as a “bridge” for the conquest of Carthage and, finally, it fed the Roman population and its army. The following paper will examine each of these three steps, as well as use them as a framework to discuss the role of Sicily for the formation of the Roman Empire.