Alcohol in Historical Sources

or how alcohol wrote history

The subject is taught by: prof. PhDr. Juraj Šedivý, MAS, PhD.; Mgr. Balázs Csiba, PhD.; PhDr. Eva Benková, PhD.; doc. PhDr. Jan Dolák, PhD.; doc. Mgr. Frederik Federmayer, PhD.; doc. Mgr. Ľuboš Kačírek, PhD.; Mgr. Martina Orosová, PhD.; Mgr. Lenka Vargová, PhD.

Teaching method: lecture

ECTS: 4

Objective:

One-semester elective course for FiFUK students interested in the history of the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages, as well as the fight against alcoholism from the Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century. The lectures will be based on the interpretation of contemporary written, visual and material sources. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge about the production of various types of alcoholic beverages in the past, their distribution, consumption and the problems associated with it in various social strata from the Middle Ages to the modern era. They will become familiar with archival sources, works of art and museum objects that document the issue of alcoholic beverages in Central Europe with a focus on the territory of Slovakia, and will be able to interpret them in the context of broader historical, cultural and economic processes.

Brief syllabus:

Introduction to the issue – alcohol as a topic of historical research; current and historical terminology; overview of the history of alcoholic beverages and their significance in historical cultures.
From mead to wine (the Migration Period and the Early Middle Ages) – production and consumption of mead among Slavs, Germans and other ethnic groups; wine and other beverages as part of religious life; Christianization and grape cultivation.
Alcohol in medieval literature and art (from biblical commentaries to vagrant poetry) – depiction of the theme of alcohol in literature and visual arts, symbolism of alcohol in iconography.
Viticulture in the origins of medieval cities – trade routes and markets; wine and beer trading, its influence on the prosperity of cities and its reflection in written sources.
Alcoholic beverages in the sources of feudal estates (from the late Middle Ages to the 18th century): the offer of alcoholic beverages on the tables of feudal lords; in the vineyard, in the press and in the cellar.
Wine, beer, spirits in early modern cities and their influence on urban culture and heraldic creation – places of alcohol consumption, craft guilds related to the production and sale of alcoholic beverages and their symbols in heraldry.
Alcohol consumption in the modern age – alcohol as part of the everyday life of peasants, townspeople, nobility and church leaders; the symbolism of alcohol in social rituals and celebrations.
Alcohol and health (modern times to the end of the 19th century) – alcohol as a medicine in traditional medicine – vs. – sociocultural changes in alcohol dependence after the spread of spirits (drunkenness, diseases, crime); alcoholism as a disease, its health and social consequences; temperance societies.
Alcohol and the law – legal regulations and penalties associated with the production and distribution of alcohol and their impact, the fight against alcoholism.
Alcohol during the period of industrialization – the impact of the industrial revolution on alcohol production, the rise of large distilleries and breweries; buildings for the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages as monuments (wine bars, breweries, cellars, distilleries).
Collections related to the production, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Slovakia and around the world.
Museum presentation of the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages (museums of winemaking, brewing and distilling in Slovakia and around the world).
Excursion to the Museum of Viticulture and Enology.

Graduation requirements:

During the semester (10 points): attendance at lectures, three absences are allowed + active work in class.
In the examination period (90 points): final text from the entire course or seminar paper on a selected relevant topic (min. 10 SP + sources). Topics of possible seminar papers will be agreed with teachers during the semester. The deadline for submitting possible seminar papers will be January 15th at the latest.

Recommended literature:

BYSTRICKÝ, Peter – DUCHOŇOVÁ, Diana – DVOŘÁKOVÁ, Daniela et al. Alkohol ako kultúrno-historický fenomén. Bratislava, 2024, 263 s.
HRIVŇÁK, Štefan – FEJEŠOVÁ, Mária – HRUBALA, Martin et al. Víno v prameňoch: dokumenty k dejinám malokarpatského vinohradníctva. Bratislava, 2018, 172 s.
PETRÁŠ, Milan. Z dejín pivovarníctva, sladovníctva a chmeliarstva na Slovensku. Trnava, 1993, 114 s.
BENKOVÁ, Eva. Vinohradníctvo na panstve Červený Kameň v ranom novoveku. Bratislava, 2017, 192 s.
DUCHOŇOVÁ, Diana - LENGYELOVÁ, Tünde. Hradné kuchyne a šľachtické stravovanie v ranom novoveku : radosti slávností, strasti každodennosti. Bratislava, 2016, 320 s.
HAMES, Gina. Alcohol in world history. London, 2012, 146 s.
SOURNIA, Jean-Charles. Dějiny pijáctví. Praha, 1999, 299 s.
SEDLÁK, Peter. Hnutie spolkov striezlivosti na Slovensku v rokoch 1844 – 1874. Prešov, 1998, 150 s.