Former Fellows

Borders and border regions are currently experiencing a surge in research interest, a trend that becomes evident when examining the evolution of historiography on this subject over the past 150 years. Academic interest in the ‘phenomenon of borders’ has been significantly shaped by the major global conflicts of the 20th century. During the early modern period, the large Balkan region, dominated by the Ottoman Empire until the late 17th century, played a pivotal role in international relations. This research project aims to explore how the border between Europe and the Ottoman Empire was perceived and represented in the pre-modern era. It will focus on how the visualization and staging of the border within the European-Ottoman context evolved over time. A key aspect of this investigation is understanding how and why the Habsburg-Ottoman border area, which significantly reshaped Southeastern Europe geopolitically, was portrayed as a political reality. The visualization of the border could signify dominance over a vanquished adversary, or conversely, it might attempt to obscure the outcomes of a lost conflict. The creation and representation of borders on geographical and political maps could also reflect dynastic ambitions and aggressive expansionist strategies, which were intentionally communicated to the public of the time through print media. Furthermore, the visualization and conceptualization of the border played a crucial role in the political and diplomatic relations between Vienna and Constantinople. Interestingly, neither the Habsburgs nor the Ottomans had the capacity to assert radical power claims in Southeastern Europe since the 1730s, making ‘power-political symbolism’ vital for both sides. The portrayal of the border was undoubtedly a significant component of this symbolism.