The role of coin minting during the evolution of power structure in the Czech early medieval society
Abstract
The paper deals with the Ph. D. thesis project, which is focused on relations and mechanisms of power in the early Duchy of Bohemia (10th century).
A hypothetical model of power structure is proposed with considering an influence of newly established coin minting in the Bohemian area and its connection with long-distance trade. In the first part of the paper a brief historical overview of "political" development is mentioned.
It covers the period between 7th and 10th century. After the establishment of the Premyslid dynasty, the focus of the paper is moved to problematics of long-distance trade and its impact to early medieval society.
The central hypothesis is represented by hypothetical model of relations between rulers, longdistance merchants and producers (especially peasants). The relations are meant to be established by using of coins, which were minted by the first mightiest individuals in the Duchy.
The model is designed to clarify the social power relations in the area, which are meant to be complementary with the efforts for economical control. In order to evaluate the credibility of the proposed model, the available historical sources are mentioned.
The theoretical frame of the work is intended as hermeneutical, partly comparative, the approach to the sources is qualitative, the sociological approach is neo-functionalistic and structuralist.