Leibniz Institute of European History

Abstract The widespread circulation and alteration of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach’s racial theory across various contexts is a key reason for its differing evaluations. This chapter will explore Blumenbach’s practices of “collecting” and comparing skulls, focusing on the methodological changes in relation to concepts of “race” introduced by his successors, Samuel George Morton in the United States and Paul Broca in France. I argue that these changes and adaptations in different places contributed to the stability of Blumenbach’s classification. Relationality links “race” and comparing, which is what makes their relationship so revealing. Practices of comparing ensured the stability of “race” through their continuous and flexible actualization in different contexts. The meaning and conceptualization of racial theories evolved through the intricate interaction of various practices, scientific principles, and emerging political and social developments.

Article David Bates / Julie Barrau (Eds.), Lives, Identities and Histories in the Central Middle Ages. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 2021 was published on October 1, 2025 in the journal Historische Zeitschrift (volume 321, issue 2).

ABSTRACT For 75 years two multinational entities, the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), have helped shape the liberal international order and contributed to peace and security in Europe. Since the end of the Cold War, the majority of European states have been members of both. However, two long-standing European NATO members – the United Kingdom (UK) and Turkey - stand out, owing to their ambivalence about membership of the EU. The UK arrived late and left early, while Turkey has never managed to reach destination Europe. In both cases, Germany has been a key bilateral ally, despite its own deep-seated commitment to European integration. Questions, both practical and intellectual, thus arise concerning the UK’s post-Brexit relations with the EU as well as Turkey’s uncertain relations. The aim of this article is to look at German attitudes towards third countries, with particular reference to the UK and Turkey, and towards differentiated integration (DI). It will advance the academic debate by critically analysing understudied recent developments in UK-German relations and offering practical lessons for the current debate on the EU’s further enlargement.

Interpretations of the Book of Revelation were extremely popular in the 16th century, not least due to the precarious situation of Protestantism in Europe. In these contexts, the Revelation of John was of utmost importance to the issue of pastoral care in the early modern period, despite the intensive discussions about its canonicity. It contained the most detailed explanations of what awaited Christians after their death and how the events of the end times would unfold until the return of Christ. The perspective of what to expect after death was of great pastoral, and therefore, theological importance. One of the most important commentaries was the ‘Hundred Sermons on the Apocalypse’ by the Zurich-born reformer Heinrich Bullinger. This article examines the biblical concepts of the future that Bullinger identified, as well as the reformer’s own emphases and their practical implications. This article combines, therefore, the flourishing history of the reception of the Bible with the history of Christian conceptions of the future—and its pastoral implications—that have yet to be applied to the Swiss Reformation.

Abstract The article focuses on a graffito from Corinth, which was discovered in an ancient prison and very probably written by a prostitute: “νικᾷ ἡ τύχη το͂ν καλο͂ν κορασίον το͂ν φιλόντον τοὺς ἀγάμους”. On the one hand, the possible circumstances of the woman’s imprisonment are discussed in light of late antique prostitution laws. On the other hand, the Christian view of prostitution at the time is examined. Instead of assuming – as has been done so far – that the imprisoned prostitute shows remorse, the article looks for alternative interpretations and considers whether the lines could rather refer to the lack of alternatives to prostitution, suggesting a translation such as: “The happiness of the beautiful girls will prevail because they welcome the unmarried men!”

Navigating reformed identity in the rural Dutch republic. Communities, belief, and piety. By Kyle J. Dieleman. Pp. 263. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2023. €117. 978 94 6372 762 4 - Volume 75 Issue 4