ISSN 2084–1418
The paper edition of the Anthropology of History Yearbook is the definitive version
2021, No. (14), Ethnoarchaeology
Andrzej Z. Bokiniec
War and conquest among baltic peoples: outline of the issue in the context of comparative studies
Keywords: comparative analysis, Indo-European traditions, conquests, Baltic peoples, early medieval period, Lithuanians, Prussians, G. Dumézil's concepts
Abstract: The text presents a transcript of a lecture delivered by the author during the Baltic Workshops at the Museum of Warmia and Masuria in Olsztyn on April 16, 2016. Based on a comprehensive comparative analysis of Indo-European traditions, the author focuses on the phenomenon of conquests conducted by Baltic peoples in the early medieval period. The text emphasizes the Indo-European expansion model of these communities and the correlation between invasions and an economy based on the slave trade. The author also explores the reasons for differences in the strategies of two Baltic communities: the Lithuanians and the Prussians. Utilizing G. Dumézil's concepts, the author argues that in Lithuanian tribes, a social model prevailed where the role of the leader surpassed those of the priest and food producer. It is emphasized that this had a significant impact on the organizational capabilities of the Lithuanians and their ability to conduct large-scale conquests. Conversely, among the Prussians, there existed a relative balance between the priestly caste and the military caste, influencing the character of the Prussian community's organization and its organizational capabilities.
About Author:
ANDRZEJ Z. BOKINIEC (1961-2021) – archaeologist, ethnoarchaeologist, was an assistant professor at the Institute of Archaeology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
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