The paper reflects on the transformation in documentary practices between the 10th and 12th centuries, taking the city of Rome as a case study while situating it within a broader context. More specifically, it examines the major change in writing practices that several historians have defined as the ‘documentary revolution’. The phenomenon is analysed from two perspectives: first, its development within urban society; and second, its potential contribution to a broader reflection on the periodization of the High Middle Ages.
Internullo, D. (2026). A shift in written practices. Rome and the ‘documentary revolution’ of the 12th century. In G.P. Alberto Cotza (a cura di), In Search of the High Middle Ages. Change and Continuity in 11th-12th-century Italy (pp. 301-322). Firenze : Firenze University Press [10.36253/979-12-215-1076-8.17].
A shift in written practices. Rome and the ‘documentary revolution’ of the 12th century
Internullo Dario
2026-01-01
Abstract
The paper reflects on the transformation in documentary practices between the 10th and 12th centuries, taking the city of Rome as a case study while situating it within a broader context. More specifically, it examines the major change in writing practices that several historians have defined as the ‘documentary revolution’. The phenomenon is analysed from two perspectives: first, its development within urban society; and second, its potential contribution to a broader reflection on the periodization of the High Middle Ages.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
