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.
Roma Tre University, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0001-9519-0166
Chapter Title
A shift in written practices. Rome and the ‘documentary revolution’ of the 12th century
Authors
Internullo Dario
Language
English
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1076-8.17
Peer Reviewed
Publication Year
2026
Copyright Information
© 2026 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Book Title
In Search of the High Middle Ages. Change and Continuity in 11th–12th-century Italy
Editors
Alberto Cotza, Giuseppe Petralia
Peer Reviewed
Number of Pages
560
Publication Year
2026
Copyright Information
© 2026 Author(s)
Content License
Metadata License
Publisher Name
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1076-8
ISBN Print
979-12-215-1075-1
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-1076-8
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-1078-2
Series Title
Reti Medievali E-Book
Series ISSN
2704-6362
Series E-ISSN
2704-6079