Dr. Helmut Reimitz

Biography

Helmut Reimitz studies the history of the early Middle Ages, focusing on the formative period of Christian history in the West and the end of the Western Roman Empire. From the fifth to the tenth century, the Northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire witnessed the formation of a distinct Western Christian culture and society increasingly known as 'Europe.' His research examines the religious, social, and political transformations between the late Roman world and the medieval world. Professor Reimitz emphasizes understanding the concepts of ethnicity, political identity, and social stratification during this period, utilizing various forms of communication and literacy. Since joining Princeton in 2008, he has led the Early Medieval Department at the Institute for Medieval Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and has been active in several international research networks. His current book project, 'History, Frankish Identity, and the Framing of Western Ethnicity, 550-850,' published by Cambridge University Press, investigates the evolving nature of Frankish identity in the context of Western ethnicity. Additionally, Reimitz has edited several volumes focused on early medieval history and European cultural memory.

Research Interests

Experience