Early Books Lecture Series XVIII: Myths about the Middle Ages with Albrecht Classen

The Early Books Lecture Series XVIII was established at the University of Arizona by Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies. For nearly 20 years, University of Arizona scholars have invited the community to explore rare books held by Special Collections, a department of the University Libraries that provides primary resource materials for research and is open to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The lectures are free and open to the public. This year's series is available in person and on Zoom. 

Tuesday, April 4
4-6pm (AZ)
Professor Albrecht Classen, Department of German Studies 
Myths about the Middle Ages: Medieval Engineering, War Technology, and Manuscript Illuminations in the Case of Conrad Kyeser’s Bellifortis 

What do we really know about the Middle Ages and its technological accomplishments? Cathedrals and castles were built, and there was much machinery for sieges, building, and crafting. Conrad Kyeser’s Bellifortis (1405) offers unique insights into the sophistication and skills of medieval craftsmen, engineers, and builders, who were much more advanced than most of us today can imagine.

This lecture promises to bust numerous myths about the Middle Ages and hopes to be a true eye-opener.

About the presenter
Dr. Albrecht Classen, University Distinguished Professor of German Studies in the College of Humanities, focuses on the German and European Middle Ages and early modern age. 

He has published more than 122 scholarly books, 750 articles, 50 entries in encyclopedias and lexica, and 2,800 book reviews. In addition to serving as the editor of the book series, Fundamentals of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, and the editor of the journals Mediaevistik and Humanities Open Access, Classen serves on the editorial board of numerous scholarly journals, and is a board member of the Executive Committee of the Arizona Humanities. 

In 2017, Dr. Classen was honored with German knighhood and received the rank of Grand Knight Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Three Lions. In 2004, the German government awarded him with its highest honor, the Cross of Merit. 

Series lectures

Tuesday, April 11
4-6pm
Professor Laura Hollengreen, College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Fit for a Crusader King:  The Thirteenth-Century Morgan Picture Book 

Hollengreen highlights the history of the Morgan Old Testament Picture Book, its lavish biblical picture cycles, and original lack of text. Register for the lecture.

Tuesday, April 18
4-6pm
Professor Jiang Wu, Department of East Asian Studies, College of Humanities
The Japanese Ōbaku Canon 黃檗藏 and Modern Buddhist Canon Compilations in East Asia

Wu investigates the history of the Ōbaku Canon in China and Japan and evaluates its role in reinventing the Buddhist textual tradition in the modern era. Register for the lecture.

Disability-related accommodations
Questions or requests regarding disability-related accommodations should be directed to Lori Strazza Brown, strazzal@arizona.edu.

Location & visitor parking
Each lecture will be held at the Main Library, Rooms A313/314, on the 3rd floor. A short reception will follow the program. 

University Libraries Main Library is located at 1510 E. University Blvd. on the southwest corner of University Blvd. / Cherry Ave. View the map. 

Visitor parking is available at the Cherry Garage located just east of the Main Library. See parking garage rates.