The ILLITTERATAE project has significantly advanced research on the transmission of alternative religious knowledge in the Late Medieval Mediterranean, pushing beyond the existing boundaries of historical and religious studies in several ways.
Traditional studies of religious radicalization have often focused on doctrinal content or institutional responses to heretical movements. ILLITTERATAE has introduced a relational model that prioritizes the connections between individuals and communities, particularly in how alternative religious ideas spread through social networks. This approach moves beyond purely theological or political explanations, integrating social network analysis into the study of religious movements in the Middle Ages.
By applying these methodologies to medieval sources, the project combined digital humanities and historical research, challenging the male-centric narratives that have dominated the study of medieval heresy and religious dissent. Women such as Na Prous Boneta, previously relegated to the periphery of religious history, have been reinterpreted as central figures in religious movements. This was a significant step beyond current historiography, which often overlooks or minimizes the role of women in alternative religious leadership. ILLITTERATAE provided concrete, archival evidence of how women influenced and shaped religious communities and doctrines, placing them as leaders and not merely passive participants.
Finally, ILLITTERATAE redefined how religious radicalization in historical contexts could be understood. By analyzing the interplay between repression and dissent, and focusing on the dialectic between violence and extremism, the project developed a more nuanced interpretation of the dynamics within dissident religious communities. The project was one of the first to systematically link the study of radicalization with a gender perspective, offering fresh insights into how women contributed to and experienced these processes.
ILLITTERATAE holds the potential to impact both the academic community and society at large in multiple ways. By emphasizing the role of women and social networks, the project provides a new lens for studying medieval religious cultures, which can be applied to other historical contexts. This could lead to a broader reconsideration of religious movements in terms of gender and social structure across different periods. The project’s digital platform serves as an educational tool for scholars, students, and the general public, promoting a deeper understanding of medieval religious movements and the central role women played. The platform can be used in university-level courses and public history projects to enhance learning and engagement with historical sources. Through contributions to podcasts, public lectures, and public history magazines, the project has already begun to reach a wider audience, fostering public interest in medieval history and its relevance to contemporary discussions on religious violence, gender roles, and radicalization.
