This lavishly illustrated work examines episcopal palaces as reflections of power and ideology. It traces the evolution of the bishop's residence in northern Italy during the Middle Ages, exploring how the once-simple, fortified domus transformed into an elegant palatium by the late twelfth century. The author argues that this transformation signifies the rise of a distinct clerical culture and bishops' efforts to assert authority in public life. This shift is linked to the Gregorian reform movement, which established new standards for clerical behavior while undermining bishops' claims to secular power. As bishops lost temporal authority to emerging communal governments, they responded architecturally, competing for visual and spatial dominance in urban centers, which significantly influenced the layout and character of Italian cities. The struggle for power had complex implications for western Christianity. Bishops, facing a loss of direct governance, found creative ways to maintain status and influence through cultural practices. Conversely, their diminished secular control led them to emphasize spiritual authority to achieve temporal goals, contributing to the rise of a "persecuting society" in the central Middle Ages.
Maureen Catherine Miller Reihenfolge der Bücher (Chronologisch)
