History of Lithuania (book)
Encyclopedia
History of Lithuania or Academic History of Lithuania is a thirteen-volume series of books dedicated to the history of Lithuania
. Its first volume was published in 2005, and its last volume is scheduled for publication in 2011. After its completion it will be the largest and the most comprehensive academic publication covering Lithuania’s history ever released. As of 2011 five volumes had been released.
from the Soviet union
in 1990, a number of academic works were published by prominent historians of the state’s history. These included Edvardas Gudavičius
‘ "Lietuvos istorija. Nuo seniausių laikų iki 1569 metų" (History of Lithuania. From ancient times to the year 1569) in 1999; Zigmantas Kiaupa
's "Lietuvos valstybės istorija" (History of the State of Lithuania) in 2004; and Alfredas Bumblauskas
’ "Senosios Lietuvos istorija 1009–1795" (The Early History of Lithuania from 1009-1795) in 2005. However, the majority of these were dedicated to specific time frames and did not cover the entire period from prehistory to the modern era. The first proposal to issue a complete history may be credited to professor Antanas Tyla. The suggestion was reinforced by academic Vytautas Merkys
. The opportunity to issue a fundamental and comprehensive academic work arose in 2000, when a programme sponsored by the Lithuanian Institute of History
, coordinated by prof.
habil.
dr.
Jūratė Kiaupienė
, was approved.
Per the approved programme, each volume of the Academic History will cover a particular historical time frame, and its thirteen volumes will encompass Lithuania's entire history. After its completion it will be the largest academic publication covering Lithuania’s history ever released and will include the latest research findings. Its intent is to transcend narrow historical perspectives and to focus on the evolution of Lithuania. Political, ethical, confessional, and judicial themes will be covered in a European context, and the modern works of Ukrainian
, Russia
n and other states' historians will be examined.
Initially twelve volumes were planned, but after the work began it became evident that coverage of modern Lithuanian history would require an additional volume. The successive volumes will be the same size - 25.5 cm x 16.5 cm. The editorial board of the series consists of the following scholars: habil. dr. Algirdas Girininkas , dr. Artūras Dubonis, prof. dr. Zigmantas Kiaupa
, prof. habil. dr. Jūratė Kiaupienė
, dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius, dr. Rimantas Miknys, dr. Gintautas Sliesoriūnas, and dr. Gintautas Zabiela. More than 20 scholars are working on this project. Each volume is peer review
ed and has an additional responsible editor. The Lithuanian Institute of History is acting in cooperation with Lithuanian universities, including Vilnius University
, increasing scholarly involvement in the project.
and the first written mention of the inhabitants in the Baltic region
. It covers approximately 10,000 years, investigating the development of communities during the paleolithic
, mesolithic
, and neolithic
eras and the bronze age
in a local and European context. Forest dwellers are examined along with agrarian societies. It features an improved periodisation of epochs, and social developments are analyzed using not only archaeological findings, but the methodologies of the natural science
s as well. The genesis and evolution of particular local cultures such as mesolithic Nemunas and neolithic Nemunas is discussed.
The 357-page volume was written by authors known for their field work in archeology and the prehistory of Lithuania: dr. Tomas Ostrauskas, dr. Vygandas Juodagalvis, hab. dr. Algirdas Girininkas ir dr. Džiugas Brazaitis. Its responsible editor was Algirdas Girininkas. The volume was peer reviewed by prof. habil. dr. Vladas Žulkus
and dr. Algimantas Merkevičius
.
s and by Rus. An in-depth analysis was made of the evolution of the Baltic
tribes in the region, since these Lithuanians were the only Balts to create their own state.
The volume was written by dr. Gintautas Zabiela, habil. dr. Vytautas Kazakevičius, dr. Ilona Vaškevičiūtė, dr. Rasa Banytė Rowell, and dr. Darius Baronas; the responsible editor was Gintautas Zabiela. During the volume's preparation, Vytautas Kazakevičius died, and his work was finished by Zabiela. The 517-page volume was peer reviewed by dr. Albinas Kuncevičius and dr. Mindaugas Bertašius.
: from "Restructuring" till March 11
). Volume is written by dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius and dr. Vladas Sirutavičius. Currently available I part of the XII volume.
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...
. Its first volume was published in 2005, and its last volume is scheduled for publication in 2011. After its completion it will be the largest and the most comprehensive academic publication covering Lithuania’s history ever released. As of 2011 five volumes had been released.
Background
After Lithuania regained its independenceAct of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
The Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania or Act of March 11 was an independence declaration by the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted on March 11, 1990...
from the Soviet union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1990, a number of academic works were published by prominent historians of the state’s history. These included Edvardas Gudavičius
Edvardas Gudavicius
Edvardas Gudavičius is one of the best known historians in modern Lithuania specializing in early history of Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In 1953 he graduated from Kaunas Polytechnic Institute with a degree in engineering. Gudavičius started his career as a mechanic at one of the factories in Kaunas,...
‘ "Lietuvos istorija. Nuo seniausių laikų iki 1569 metų" (History of Lithuania. From ancient times to the year 1569) in 1999; Zigmantas Kiaupa
Zigmantas Kiaupa
Zigmantas Kiaupa is a Lithuanian historian, archivist, and professor. His specialty is political history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, history of cities and city dwellers, and study of historical sources....
's "Lietuvos valstybės istorija" (History of the State of Lithuania) in 2004; and Alfredas Bumblauskas
Alfredas Bumblauskas
Alfredas Bumblauskas is a professor at Vilnius University and one of the best known Lithuanian historians.After graduating from Žemaitė school in Telšiai, he enrolled in Vilnius University in 1974. Bumblauskas received his doctoral degree in 1987, and was mentored by Edvardas Gudavičius...
’ "Senosios Lietuvos istorija 1009–1795" (The Early History of Lithuania from 1009-1795) in 2005. However, the majority of these were dedicated to specific time frames and did not cover the entire period from prehistory to the modern era. The first proposal to issue a complete history may be credited to professor Antanas Tyla. The suggestion was reinforced by academic Vytautas Merkys
Vytautas Merkys
Vytautas Merkys is a Lithuanian historian and a professor at Vilnius University.- Biography :Merkys graduated from Vilnius University's department of history and philology in 1951. In 1952 he began working at the Lithuanian SSR Institute of History, but for ideological reasons he was soon fired,...
. The opportunity to issue a fundamental and comprehensive academic work arose in 2000, when a programme sponsored by the Lithuanian Institute of History
Lithuanian Institute of History
The Lithuanian Institute of History is a state-funded research institution in Lithuania. Governed by national law, it is the country's main institution of history research, concentrating mostly on the history of Lithuania and its neighbouring states....
, coordinated by prof.
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
habil.
Habilitation
Habilitation is the highest academic qualification a scholar can achieve by his or her own pursuit in several European and Asian countries. Earned after obtaining a research doctorate, such as a PhD, habilitation requires the candidate to write a professorial thesis based on independent...
dr.
Doctor (title)
Doctor, as a title, originates from the Latin word of the same spelling and meaning. The word is originally an agentive noun of the Latin verb docēre . It has been used as an honored academic title for over a millennium in Europe, where it dates back to the rise of the university. This use spread...
Jūratė Kiaupienė
Jurate Kiaupiene
Jūratė Kiaupienė is a Lithuanian historian, professor, Habilitated Doctor.-Biography:In 1969 Jūratė Kiaupienė finished her studies in History department of Vilnius University and obtain historian speciality. After finishing university she worked in Lithuanian History and Ethnography Museum, in...
, was approved.
Per the approved programme, each volume of the Academic History will cover a particular historical time frame, and its thirteen volumes will encompass Lithuania's entire history. After its completion it will be the largest academic publication covering Lithuania’s history ever released and will include the latest research findings. Its intent is to transcend narrow historical perspectives and to focus on the evolution of Lithuania. Political, ethical, confessional, and judicial themes will be covered in a European context, and the modern works of Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n and other states' historians will be examined.
Initially twelve volumes were planned, but after the work began it became evident that coverage of modern Lithuanian history would require an additional volume. The successive volumes will be the same size - 25.5 cm x 16.5 cm. The editorial board of the series consists of the following scholars: habil. dr. Algirdas Girininkas , dr. Artūras Dubonis, prof. dr. Zigmantas Kiaupa
Zigmantas Kiaupa
Zigmantas Kiaupa is a Lithuanian historian, archivist, and professor. His specialty is political history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, history of cities and city dwellers, and study of historical sources....
, prof. habil. dr. Jūratė Kiaupienė
Jurate Kiaupiene
Jūratė Kiaupienė is a Lithuanian historian, professor, Habilitated Doctor.-Biography:In 1969 Jūratė Kiaupienė finished her studies in History department of Vilnius University and obtain historian speciality. After finishing university she worked in Lithuanian History and Ethnography Museum, in...
, dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius, dr. Rimantas Miknys, dr. Gintautas Sliesoriūnas, and dr. Gintautas Zabiela. More than 20 scholars are working on this project. Each volume is peer review
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
ed and has an additional responsible editor. The Lithuanian Institute of History is acting in cooperation with Lithuanian universities, including Vilnius University
Vilnius University
Vilnius University is the oldest university in the Baltic states and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. It is also the largest university in Lithuania....
, increasing scholarly involvement in the project.
Volume I
The series' first volume, "Lietuvos istorija. Akmens amžius ir ankstyvasis metalų leikotrapis" (History of Lithuania. Stone Age and Early Metal Era), was released in 2005. This volume covers the period between the end of the last ice ageIce age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
and the first written mention of the inhabitants in the Baltic region
Baltic region
The terms Baltic region, Baltic Rim countries, and Baltic Rim refer to slightly different combinations of countries in the general area surrounding the Baltic Sea.- Etymology :...
. It covers approximately 10,000 years, investigating the development of communities during the paleolithic
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
, mesolithic
Mesolithic
The Mesolithic is an archaeological concept used to refer to certain groups of archaeological cultures defined as falling between the Paleolithic and the Neolithic....
, and neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
eras and the bronze age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
in a local and European context. Forest dwellers are examined along with agrarian societies. It features an improved periodisation of epochs, and social developments are analyzed using not only archaeological findings, but the methodologies of the natural science
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
s as well. The genesis and evolution of particular local cultures such as mesolithic Nemunas and neolithic Nemunas is discussed.
The 357-page volume was written by authors known for their field work in archeology and the prehistory of Lithuania: dr. Tomas Ostrauskas, dr. Vygandas Juodagalvis, hab. dr. Algirdas Girininkas ir dr. Džiugas Brazaitis. Its responsible editor was Algirdas Girininkas. The volume was peer reviewed by prof. habil. dr. Vladas Žulkus
Vladas Žulkus
Vladas Žulkus is a Lithuanian archaeologist. In October 2002 he was elected rector of Klaipėda University.- Biography :...
and dr. Algimantas Merkevičius
Algimantas Merkevicius
Algimantas Merkevičius is a Lithuanian judoka.-Achievements:-References:* on JudoInside.com...
.
Volume II
The second volume, entitled "Lietuvos istorija. Geležies amžius" (History of Lithuania. The Iron Age), was issued in 2007. It encompasses the era between the 1st century and the 12th century. Invoking archaeological research, it discusses Lithuania's formation and development, and the impacts made by the VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
s and by Rus. An in-depth analysis was made of the evolution of the Baltic
Balts
The Balts or Baltic peoples , defined as speakers of one of the Baltic languages, a branch of the Indo-European language family, are descended from a group of Indo-European tribes who settled the area between the Jutland peninsula in the west and Moscow, Oka and Volga rivers basins in the east...
tribes in the region, since these Lithuanians were the only Balts to create their own state.
The volume was written by dr. Gintautas Zabiela, habil. dr. Vytautas Kazakevičius, dr. Ilona Vaškevičiūtė, dr. Rasa Banytė Rowell, and dr. Darius Baronas; the responsible editor was Gintautas Zabiela. During the volume's preparation, Vytautas Kazakevičius died, and his work was finished by Zabiela. The 517-page volume was peer reviewed by dr. Albinas Kuncevičius and dr. Mindaugas Bertašius.
Volume XII
In 2008 was released another volume of the book entitled "Sąjūdis: nuo "Persitvarkymo" iki Kovo 11-osios" (History of Lithuania. SąjūdisSajudis
Sąjūdis initially known as the Reform Movement of Lithuania, is the political organization which led the struggle for Lithuanian independence in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was established on June 3, 1988 and was led by Vytautas Landsbergis...
: from "Restructuring" till March 11
Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania
The Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania or Act of March 11 was an independence declaration by the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic adopted on March 11, 1990...
). Volume is written by dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius and dr. Vladas Sirutavičius. Currently available I part of the XII volume.
Volumes III through XIII
The third volume will begin with the 12th century; the thirteenth and last volume will cover the 21st century. The last volume is scheduled for release in about 2011. According to a preliminary assessment, the remaining volumes will be organized and edited as follows:| Volume | Time frame | Responsible editor |
|---|---|---|
| III | End of the 13th century to about 1386 | dr. Artūras Dubonis |
| IV | 1386 or 1387 to the 16th century | prof. habil. dr. Jūratė Kiaupienė Jurate Kiaupiene Jūratė Kiaupienė is a Lithuanian historian, professor, Habilitated Doctor.-Biography:In 1969 Jūratė Kiaupienė finished her studies in History department of Vilnius University and obtain historian speciality. After finishing university she worked in Lithuanian History and Ethnography Museum, in... |
| V | 16th century to 1588 | prof. habil. dr. Jūratė Kiaupienė |
| VI | 1588 to 1733/1734 | dr. Gintautas Sliesoriūnas |
| VII | 1733 to 1795 | prof. dr. Zigmantas Kiaupa Zigmantas Kiaupa Zigmantas Kiaupa is a Lithuanian historian, archivist, and professor. His specialty is political history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, history of cities and city dwellers, and study of historical sources.... |
| VIII and IX | 1795 to 1915 | dr. Rimantas Miknys |
| X | 1915 to 1940 | dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius |
| XI | 1940 to 1988/1990 | dr. Arūnas Bubnys Arunas Bubnys Arūnas Bubnys is a Lithuanian historian and archivist. He started his studies at Vilnius University in 1985. In 1993 he received a Ph.D for the thesis Lietuvių antinacinė rezistencija 1941–1944 m. .... |
| XII and XIII | End of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century | dr. Česlovas Laurinavičius |