The interdisciplinary Research Training Group 2792 „Autonomy of Heteronomous Texts in Antiquity and the Middle Ages“ at the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena invites applications for the International Summer School

"Heteronomous Texts in Roman and Germanic Law" 

taking place from 7 to 10 September 2026 at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena/Germany.

Poster International Summer School 2026 (Download)

Please note that the deadline for application ended on 22nd June 2026.

Topic

Heteronomous texts appear in many forms in legal history. At first glance, their character seems obvious in the case of commentaries, as written in particular by late classical Roman jurists. On closer inspection, however, doubts arise as to whether the modern term “commentary” is justified at all. Conversely, there is genuine heteronomy in texts that do not reveal their dependence at all. This is not seldom the case with the legal texts of the early and high Middle Ages, which draw on ancient material but appear as independent works. In order to explore the full range of textual dependencies in ancient and medieval legal history, we will examine individual works from the period of late classical Roman jurisprudence to the German Middle Ages.

We are particularly looking forward to the discussion of research projects in the area of heteronomous texts that can be presented by the participants.

Working languages will be English and German.

Programme

The summer school takes place at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena/Germany from 7 September to 10 September 2026. 

In the course of the summer school we will attempt to shed light on typical traits of heteronomous texts by common lectures and presentations of typical examples of heteronomous texts.

Please note that the deadline for application ended on 22nd June 2026.

Contacts

For questions related to the application procedure or other administrative matters, please contact Oliver Schmerbauch: heteronome.texte@uni-jena.de

For academic questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Jan Dirk Harke: jan.dirk.harke@uni-jena.de