Retrospect
Journal.

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY'S HISTORY, CLASSICS AND ARCHAEOLOGY MAGAZINE

Blog: https://retrospectjournal.com/
Profile: https://retrospectjournal.com/author/retrospectsubmissions/

Doctrine to Diagnosis: The Rise of State and Medical Influence on Marriage from the Reformation to the Twentieth Century

The Protestant Reformation and French Revolution were challenges to the authority over sexual matters as much as they were related to divinity and democracy. Marnie Camping-Harris explores how the rise of nation-states correlated to increased medical influence over sexual matters.
Sanctuary through Illustration: A Journey through the pages of The Kennicott Bible

The beautiful Kennicott Bible (1476) is an exquisite example of medieval craftsmanship and piety. Arianna North Castell takes us into the pages of the manuscript and demonstrates how they illuminate Sephardic culture.
Beyond Servitude: Uncovering Agency, Community and Resistance in Indian Indentured Labour

Maia Bennet explores how a revisionist approach to indentured servitude reveals complexities of agency, resistance, and community among Indian labourers.
Emperors and Their Boys: Homosexuality in the Court of China’s Western Han Dynasty

The Han Dynasty emperors engaged in romantic relationships with male companions, reflecting a nuanced perspective on homosexuality. Yet, these relationships intertwined affection with political power dynamics and as Kilan Duan notes, they reveal deeper societal implications regarding loyalty and authority during that era.
Murder, Resurrection and Dissection: The Dark History of Edinburgh’s Medical Past

In 1827 Edinburgh, Burke and Hare murdered lodgers to sell corpses to Dr. Knox, leading to Burke’s execution and posthumous dissection for anatomy. Abbie Teal recounts this gruesome episode of Edinburgh’s history.
Beyond Boundaries: Pioneers in Chinese Women’s Education from Past to Present

The recent focus on Zhang Guimei and her pioneering work at Huaping High School highlights the vital role of women in advancing education in China. Sarah Zhou discusses how their legacies inspire and promote ongoing efforts towards gender equality and educational opportunities.
Kommunalka: The Thin Wall Between the Public and the Private in Soviet Collective Housing

Kommunalka, shared apartments in the Soviet Union, emerged post-World War II, fostering unique communities despite a lack of privacy. Olivia Hiskett reflects on their complex blend of Soviet ideology, necessity, and pre-revolutionary communal traditions, shaping social dynamics amidst distrust.
Queer Performance and The Male Gaze: Redrafting Masculinity through Comparison in Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn

Harry Fry explores the construction of masculinity in Emerald Fennell’s critically acclaimed feature film Saltburn.