Historical Texts Research Articles

Opportunities And Threats Of Historical Evidence And Data Via Corpus-Based Software: A Case Study On Gerard Malynes

The aim of this paper is to exploit the informative nature of datasets that can be created from corpus-based software to explore specific phenomena in early modern specialized discourse, and to corroborate the adoption of the same software for historical analysis. Particular relevance will be devoted to the special nature of historical evidence, which has caused critical issues in the reliability of the data collected for the purpose of historical investigation of English. Spelling variation, in this sense, is one of the most crucial problems of Early Modern English, and this has often affected the reliability of data to be collected via software, especially when statistical findings are involved. The normalisation of historical texts has contributed enormously to make texts better readable for historical corpus analysis; and, consequently, to improve the accuracy and manipulation of data. Moreover, several tools used in corpus linguistics have benefited from the normalisation of spelling variants in the same terms, e.g. part-of-speech taggers for historical variety. This case study will attempt to explore the data retrievable from corpus-based software like VARD, #LancsBox and CQPweb, and to use them to corroborate a preliminary analysis of early modern economics discourse in two treatises written by Gerard Malynes in 1601 and 1623.

PROBLEMATIKA NASKAH SEJARAH DI DUNIA MELAYU: ANTARA MITOS DAN REALITA (STUDI KASUS HIKAYAT RAJA PASAI)

One of the challenges that historians and philologists face is analyzing historical texts, especially traditional historiographic works like 'babad' and 'hikayat,' which may have been added to or subtracted from in various aspects. Such manuscripts cannot be considered the primary reference source for constructing a chronological history, as they lean more towards historical literature constructed from the author's imagination. This article discusses the challenges posed by Malay manuscripts that contain elements of myth and imagination. The study takes a case example of the manuscript "Hikayat Raja Pasai". The objective is to examine the position and role of hikayat or traditional historiography in general concerning the narration of history and its acceptance as a historical source. The research employs a descriptive-analytical method through several stages, including: 1) manuscript selection, 2) literature review, 3) content analysis and identification of imaginative elements in the manuscript, 4) examination of history to verify the accuracy of information, 5) interpretation of results, 6) writing, and 7) drawing conclusions. From this study, it was found that despite containing myths, hikayat still plays a role as a means to showcase the character of a community, aiding readers in understanding a belief, and myths are often more effective in raising human awareness and guiding them towards improvement. However, in accepting hikayat as a historical source, a critical and selective approach is necessary. Therefore, the application of historical methods is crucial to identify which elements can be used as historical sources and which ones should be considered purely imaginative.

Exploring the Dynamic Interplay between Religion and Culture: A Multidisciplinary Inquiry

This interdisciplinary study explores the symbiotic relationship between religion and culture, analyzing their dynamic interaction across diverse historical and geographical landscapes. Religion, as a non-material facet of culture, operates as a central institution characterized by rituals, beliefs, and communal practices, addressing existential questions concerning life, death, and purpose. Conversely, culture provides the contextual framework within which religious beliefs and practices develop and are expressed, reflecting the values, norms, and traditions of a particular society. Through a qualitative research framework drawing insights from anthropology, sociology, history, and religious studies, this study examines historical texts, scholarly articles, ethnographic data, and case studies to elucidate the multifaceted dimensions of the relationship between religion and culture. By integrating insights from various disciplines, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interdependence between religion and culture, offering fresh perspectives on how religion shapes cultural identity, societal norms, and individual beliefs. Furthermore, by highlighting the adaptability and resilience of cultural traditions in the face of religious influences, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities of human societies and the enduring influence of religion on cultural evolution. Through its comprehensive analysis, this study underscores the importance of studying religion and culture as intertwined phenomena that shape human experience and identity across diverse contexts.

Of Stones and Horses: Reading the Gōngsūn Lóngži in Terms of Concrete Universals

Abstract: The present article proposes a new take on the realist interpretation of the Gōngsūn Lóngzǐ, which theorizes the existence of a theory of universals in the text. Building on the “two-level ontology” hypothesis, it argues that the Gōngsūn Lóngz ǐ elaborates a complex category theory that should rather be interpreted in terms of concrete rather than abstract universals. Through the analysis of some of the most famous arguments debated in the text, such as the “white horse” and the “hard and white stone,” among others, the article delineates a distinction between what seems to be two different types of categories, “incidental qualities” and “structural qualities.” Through this analysis, the article aims to show how this interpretation can help disambiguate the meaning of certain obscure passages, and to identify an underlying line of reasoning that runs like a thread through the text, despite its complex textual history.

Memory and Mortality: The Influence of Charles Maturin’s Global Necromanticism on Mary Shelley’s The Last Man (1826)

In one of his published sermons, Charles Robert Maturin writes: ‘Life is full of death; the steps of the living cannot press the earth without disturbing the ashes of the dead – we walk upon our ancestors – the globe itself is one vast churchyard.’ Travelers in Melmoth the Wanderer (1820) are drawn to ruins, to historical texts, and to spectacles of death, all in an imperfect attempt to comprehend, recall, and communicate the mystery of suffering and mortality on a global, transnational scale. Drawing from Paul Westover’s seminal study of ‘necromanticism’ in which he discusses Romantic-era practices of memorializing and communing with the dead via historical writing and travel, I will read Mary Shelley’s plague novel The Last Man (1826) as a text that borrows from Maturin’s theory of the tenuous communicability of historical memory. I argue that Shelley echoes Maturin’s interest in a global necromanticism in which the living seek to remember and commemorate the dead through language, extending this practice of commemorative remembrance on a transnational scale. In so doing, Shelley also incorporates Maturin’s darker critique of these global commemorations as at once compulsive yet insufficient.

From Seeing to Understanding: The Conceptual Metaphor UNDERSTANDING IS LIGHT in Julian of Norwich’s “Revelations of Divine Love”

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The article discusses the interplay between language, cognition and culture from a cognitive diachronic perspective, focusing on the relation between religion and metaphorical thought. It investigates the role of the conceptual metaphor UNDERSTANDING IS LIGHT in religious discourse, using the example of The Revelations of Divine Love, written by Julian of Norwich, a late medieval anchoress. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METODS: The paper draws on the Extended Conceptual Metaphor approach, Zoltán Kövecses’s elaboration of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT). The universalist bias of CMT means that the theory tends to ignore the sociocultural context of historical data, prioritising the influence of universal human embodiment on metaphorical thought. Using Kövecses’s approach, the paper shows how the gap in CMT methodology may be bridged to yield more reliable results. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The present study connects Kövecses’s approach to Cognitive Linguistic research into sociocultural situatedness. To exemplify the problem, the analysis examines the cognitive‑cultural underpinnings of Julian’s use of the metaphor UNDERSTAND‑ ING IS LIGHT. RESEARCH RESULTS: The analysis shows that the metaphorical conceptualisation pattern may well derive from Julian’s sociocultural situatedness. The paper indicates that the anchoress’s metaphorical thought should be seen as embedded in the late medieval sociocultural context, rather than being considered solely in terms of universal aspects of embodiment. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE APPLICATIVE VALUE OF RESEARCH: The study concludes that the idea of sociocultural situatedness may be pivotal in the analyses of historical texts. It seems important to incorporate this idea into Kövecses’s approach, which may inform the methodology of cognitive diachronic research into metaphorical conceptualisations. Furthermore, the results may be applied to teaching students how to approach historical texts, helping them gain a better understanding of the relation between metaphorical thought and culture.

THE IMAGE OF A POSITIVE HERO IN THE UKRAINIAN MAGICAL TALE

The article examines the features of the image of a positive hero of a magical fairy tale, its content, context, and educational potential. The purpose of this article is to study of the characteristic features of the image of the positive hero of the Ukrainian fairy tale and the identification of his educational potential. The study of the image of the positive hero in Ukrainian magical fairy tales employs a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating folklore studies, literary criticism, and cultural anthropology. This method allows for an in-depth examination of the narrative structures, thematic elements, and cultural significance of the tales. The primary sources for this study include a comprehensive collection of Ukrainian magical tales, scholarly articles, and historical texts that provide insights into the evolution of these stories and their roles within Ukrainian culture. The types of heroes of magical tales are highlighted, their national and universal virtues are analyzed. Mythologemes and archaisms of the fairy tale "Kotygoroshko" were studied. It was concluded that the images of positive heroes of fairy tales in their own actions, activities, exploits, communication with other characters appear as integral human characters, exponents of the best virtues of the Ukrainian people. Heroes are consistent in their actions, value honor, justice, loyalty to family, people, and Motherland above all else. They wage an implacable struggle against evil in all its forms and always win. These are strong, courageous, honest, reliable knights, devoted to the end of the fight for the truth.

HISTORICAL CIRCULATION OF OTTOMAN TURKEY: FROM DYNASTIC TO REPUBLICAN SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT

This article explores the historical circulation of Ottoman Turkey, highlighting the significant transition from a dynastic system of government to the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923. The Ottoman dynasty, which was originally a vast and influential empire, underwent dramatic changes during the 20th century. The main focus was on the post-World War I period when radical reforms were implemented to address internal and external challenges. This analysis covers socio-political aspects, tracing the changes that overhauled the structure of the feudal empire into a modern republican state. The method used is by using a method of literature study or library research related to historical or other similar themes. Based on the theory of the History of Islamic Civilization. As for data collection analyzing historical texts, collecting relevant data, and describing them. The results of this paper reveal that: First, every Kingdom will inevitably experience triumphs and setbacks, for a civilization is inseparable from it. Second, Ottoman Turkey was one of the influential dynasties of world civilization, and it was also crowned as the heir to the Islamic caliphate. Third, the Ottoman Turks underwent significant changes in terms of culture, socio-politics, economy, and others. The setback he experienced led to the secularization of Turkey which began as a dynastic state or caliphate into a republic. This was none other than triggered by the political factors of power that were in the hands of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Between Sharia, Gender, and Science in the Construction of ‘Iddah: The Response of Banyumas’ Ulamas

The development of science necessitates changes in various issues of human life, including matters of family law. One of the family law issues that often sparks debate is the issue of 'iddah. One of the reasons (reason) often found in the discussions of scholars is to ensure the cleanliness of the uterus from the fetus. If this argument is used as the main basis, it is refuted by the development of medical technology, which can ensure the cleanliness of the uterus in a relatively short time. Likewise, from a gender perspective, because the owner of the womb is only a woman, it cannot be exchanged. This study aims to analyze the extent to which Banyumas’ Ulama views respond to the development of science and gender discourse in the context of family law. This research is empirical legal research, analyzing the responses of Banyumas scholars. Researchers collected data from scholars who came from different religious organization backgrounds, namely Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and al-Irsyad. These three are the organizations with the most followers in Banyumas. Banyumas became the locus of this research because there is a view that egalitarian principles are living values in society, as described in the chronicle historical texts (babad). The study concluded that the responses of the Banyumas Ulama were divided into two groups, namely textualists and semi-textualists. However, the semi-textualist group is more dominant among them. This research at the same time proves that the relationship between religion and science has not yet reached an integrative or even transdisciplinary level but is still at a dialogic level, and there is even a dualistic view.

A research review of the religious and social services of the governor of Wadi Balochistan, Hazrat Sinan bin Salma (RA)

This research review delves into the multifaceted religious and social services rendered by Governor Hazrat Sinan bin Salma (RA) in the historical context of Wadi Balochistan. The study aims to shed light on the significant impact of Hazrat Sinan bin Salma's leadership, particularly in the realms of religion and community welfare. It encompasses a comprehensive analysis of his life and accomplishments, offering insights into the dynamic interplay between religious devotion and societal betterment. Hazrat Sinan bin Salma (RA) emerged as a prominent figure in the annals of Islamic history, revered for his unwavering commitment to Islamic values and his tireless efforts to uplift the people of Wadi Baluchistan. His religious services encompassed the establishment of mosques, religious schools, and the dissemination of Islamic teachings. These initiatives not only fortified the spiritual fabric of the region but also nurtured a sense of unity and belonging among the populace. Furthermore, Hazrat Sinan bin Salma's (RA) social services extended beyond the confines of religion. He championed causes related to education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. His administration implemented policies that promoted economic prosperity and social justice, resulting in a significant improvement in the quality of life for the residents of Wadi Balochistan. This research review utilizes historical texts, accounts, and scholarly analyses to construct a comprehensive narrative of Hazrat Sinan bin Salma's (RA) life and contributions. It highlights his enduring legacy, which continues to influence the region's religious and social landscape to this day. Hazrat Sinan bin Salma (RA) stands as a beacon of inspiration, exemplifying the harmonious coexistence of religious devotion and community service. This research review offers a glimpse into his remarkable life, emphasizing the profound impact he had on the religious and social milieu of Wadi Balochistan.

The Urological Tribulations of Michel de Montaigne: How the Essayist's Stones Influenced His Writings

ObjectiveTo explore how Michel de Montaigne’s battle with urolithiasis influenced his writings and philosophical outlook during the Renaissance period. Materials and MethodsThe study examines historical texts, Montaigne’s personal essays, and contemporary medical literature from the Renaissance era. A comprehensive review of Montaigne’s extensive travels across Europe, interactions with prominent physicians, and the various treatments he sought for urolithiasis is conducted. The analysis focuses on how these experiences shaped his literary work and philosophical reflections. ResultsMontaigne’s struggle with urolithiasis began at the age of 45, profoundly impacting his life and writings. His journey through France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy in search of relief, along with consultations with renowned physicians such as Félix Platter and Girolamo Borro, significantly influenced his philosophical inquiries into human suffering and mortality. Montaigne’s detailed accounts of his condition, describing 19 episodes of renal colic, offered early patient-centered perspectives in medical literature, highlighting the importance of understanding the psychological and emotional dimensions of illness. His therapeutic use of thermal baths and other non-invasive treatments reflected the medical practices of the time. ConclusionMontaigne’s experience with urolithiasis not only shaped his philosophical essays but also underscored the importance of empathetic and holistic patient care. His writings emphasize the need for integrating patient narratives into medical practice, a concept that remains crucial in contemporary healthcare. Montaigne’s legacy continues to inspire a compassionate approach to urological care, emphasizing the interconnected nature of physical and emotional well-being, and advocating for a more patient-centered perspective in medical treatments.

A Study of the Vocabulary in al-Qavânîn al-Kulliyya li-Ẓabṭ al-Luġat at-Turkiyya

The multi-layered cultural structure of the Mamluk Kipchak area can be seen in the language of the period. The linguistic evolution of the Turkmens and Kipchaks, the initial settlers of the region, is documented in contemporary grammars and dictionaries. The language of the Eastern Turks also became incorporated as their numbers in the region gradually increased. This study investigates the vocabulary used in al-Qavânîn al-Kulliyya li-Ẓabṭ al-Luġat at-Turkiyya, one of the grammars of the period. The first stage of the study was to identify words with the same meanings and equivalent pairs that may be indicators of how the dialect of the period has changed. The status of the words which were considered to be indicators of the dialectal differences between the historical text, and that of the Turkic languages of contemporary Oghuz and Kipchak groups, was then analysed. Results indicate that 37.03% of the fifty-eight words analysed in this study still exist in contemporary Oghuz, while 25.93% are still present, and even have the same meaning, in contemporary Kipchak. The rate of equivalent pairs identified in this historical text was 37.03%.

Dam Construction, Company Towns and Planned Urban Development: The Example of Salto del Esla, Spain

ABSTRACT Company towns are integral to the urban and territorial changes wrought by the Industrial Revolution, especially in remote, resource-rich areas. Among these, villages constructed alongside dams stand out due to their profound territorial impact. This study focuses on one such unique settlement near the Ricobayo dam in Zamora, Spain, exploring its construction and environmental integration. At its inception, Ricobayo was Europe’s largest dam, its creation marked by notable feats like relocating a church, and pioneering hydraulic engineering and bridge construction, including a record-breaking design by Torroja. The adjacent company town set a precedent for creating liveable spaces for workers in isolated locales, influencing later developments. Research included on-site investigations, archival work at Iberdrola’s Historical Archive, and review of historical texts, underscoring the cultural and landscape significance of 20th-century dam settlements and the distinctive features of Ricobayo’s surroundings.

Defending the “Backward Civilization”: The Resurrection of a Forgotten 17th Century Text in 20th Century Intellectual Discourse on Islam

It is an irony of history that since texts transcend the intentions and purposes of their authors, their meaning and significance are often contested anew as they enter new historical contexts; even historical texts are thus subject to reading and criticism over time. This article discusses the posthumous fate of Henry Stubbe’s own text on Islamic history, The Rise and Progress of Mahometanism—seen by some to represent a Copernican revolution in the study of Islam. The fate of this work is a clear example of the critical contingencies and fluctuating fortunes experienced by a corpus of texts. The continuing existence of a text as an object open to reconfiguration and re-evaluation is termed its after-history (Nachgeschichte) or afterlife (Nachleben). This notion of the afterlife of an object as a period of critical appreciation and political appropriation aptly defines the fate and fame of The Rise and Progress of Mahometanism. The present study seeks to explore the narrative surrounding a publication authored by Stubbe in the 17th century and finally published by Hafiz Mahmud Khan Shairani, with the critical support of Ottoman intellectual Halil Halid Bey, nearly two centuries later. Its objective is to investigate how the life and contributions of a figure whose work has transcended generations was resurrected within the political backdrop of the 20th century, as evidenced in the columns of Ottoman newspapers.

A Review on Organic Additives Used in Historic Indian Murals

The scientific identification of organic additives in plaster and mortars has become an appropriate principle in the preparation of compatible repair material. Besides the need to characterise inorganic components, the conservation of mural art is facilitated by the unabridged documentation of organic components particularly mixed in ancient decorative mud/lime plasters support. The review addresses the influence of organic additives in the historic artworks and analytical methods used for their investigation. The paper has considered, the various plant-based organic additives recommended by ancient Indian texts like the Vishnudharmottara purana, Samaranga sutradhara, Silparatna etc., which have been documented and reported. With regard to the mentioned historical texts, plant-based products such as fermented juice, gum, fibres, straw, husk, resin etc., were used as organic additives for the preparation of wall plaster which provides disparate attributes to the plaster thus making it crack free, durable, antioxidant, antibacterial and insect-resistant. Furthermore, the recently reported destructive and non-destructive characterisation techniques based on chromatography, spectroscopy, ionization, and microscopy have also been described here. The mentioned techniques contribute as a fundamental tool to identify proteins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, resinous materials, starch, plant product etc., extracted from the mud/lime plasters and mortars.

Wybory translatorskie XIX-wiecznego słownikarza rosyjskiego jako impuls do badań chronologizacyjnych polskiej leksyki zapożyczonej

Fifty-one entries (with the letter M) in the Russian-Polish dictionary of 1877 which were assigned a discussion of the meaning instead of a real translation, e.g. муссон – wjatr periodyczny [a periodic wind], were examined. These were limited to borrowed Russian units which today correspond to Polish borrowed units, e.g. муссон – monsun [monsoon]. The Polish words are the object of the analysis. In order to discover the reason for their omission from the dictionary, evidence of their use in the corpus of historical texts was sought. It was found that 80% of the borrowings (41 units) occurred in texts before 1876, but some of them were not recorded in the dictionaries of the time and perhaps that is why they did not find their way into the translation dictionary. 20% of the material (10 units) is lexis that entered circulation after the dictionary was published.

Rethinking the Origins and Textual History of Ancient Jewish Literature: A Review of Recent Works by Emanuel Tov, James Nati, and Nathan Mastnjak

Abstract This essay discusses the current state of research on the origins and textual history of early Jewish literature in light of three recently published books. On the one hand, the current practice of textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, well presented in the standard handbook of the topic, is anchored in relatively traditional views on the origins of biblical books. On the other hand, two studies challenge current ideas about the ontology and materiality of ancient Jewish literature. An analysis of the Serekh ha-Yahad scrolls reveals that usual models of textual growth cannot account for the entirety of the intricate textual history of certain compositions. A material-historical perspective suggests that, before the Hellenistic period, literary works existed in the form of collections of scrolls, which has potentially profound implications for understanding how these collections became books. Whether conservative or innovative in outlook, these books show that theory and practice are inextricably linked in the field of textual criticism.

A prince for the Renaissance: Antonio Beccadelli (1394–1471) and the representation of Alfonso the Magnanimous (1396–1458) in early modern Europe

ABSTRACT European powers – mainly Spanish and Italian – took the figure of Alfonso the Magnanimous, King of Aragon (1416–1458), into great consideration as the example of the new modern prince. His image was highly valued in sixteenth and seventeenth-century historical texts like those of Jerónimo de Zurita (1512–1580), Giovanni Antonio Summonte (d.u.–1602) and Luigi Bonincontro (d.u.). Their concept of this sovereign and their admiration for his character are largely due to the success of his representative programme. Given his link to the Neapolitan throne and his contact with Quattrocento Italy, the Magnanimous used an image discourse designed to represent him before his contemporaries and before posterity as a principe nuovo: Caesarean, virtuous and humanist. Among the component pieces of this programme, the works that his aulic humanists Lorenzo Valla (1407–1457), Bartolomeo Facio (1400–1457) and Antonio Beccadelli (1394–1471) dedicated to him stand out, with the latter's work being the one that raised up the sovereign as the exemplum of the new princeps. This paper focuses on how Beccadelli’s work generated the concept of the Magnanimous in modern Spain and modern Italy, especially through the Alphonsi Regis dicta aut facta memoratu digna, which, since the second half of the fifteenth century and before Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) – mainly his The Prince and its inspiration Cesare Borgia (1475–1507) Alfonso the Magnanimous became a true exemplum principum for the modern era.

From Tradition to Transformation: Bharatanatyam Explored through Feminist and Psychological Contexts

This study explores the evolution and contemporary significance of Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance form. It examines the evolution of the dance form, focusing on the portrayal of stories, emotions, and characters. The research also reimagines the Ashta-Nayikas, the eight main female archetypes in classical dance, through the lens of contemporary psychology. The study uses qualitative data analysis, including media studies, historical texts, and in-depth interviews, to reveal the dynamic interaction between modernity and tradition. The study highlights the dance form’s innate resilience and the need for dance artists to develop coping mechanisms to navigate the intricacies of tradition and modernity.

Terracotta to Terraces: Tracing the Unique Temple Architecture of Bengal

This paper explores the diverse architectural styles of temple construction in Bengal from the 9th to the 19th centuries. Through a detailed examination of structural variations and decorations, the study highlights how the intermingling of Hindu, Islamic, and later European influences shaped the distinctive temple architecture in this region. The research uses architectural analysis and historical texts to identify key styles, such as the 'do-chala' and 'char-chala' huts, alongside the more ornate 'Ratna' and 'naba-ratna' structures. These styles reflect the religious and cultural synthesis and the geographical and material constraints influencing temple architecture in Bengal. The findings underscore the role of Gaudiya Vaishnavism and regional patronage in fostering a unique architectural heritage characterized by its terracotta embellishments and innovative structural forms. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of South Asian architectural diversity and its socio-religious contexts, offering insights into the region's broader patterns of cultural interchange.