A medieval historian pulling back the curtain on how history is created. Posts mostly about history, current events, and whatever sparks my curiosity

By Jon Dell Isola

· Launched 2 years ago

Among the Ruins

Some Assorted Thoughts on Elites in the Late Ninth Century

My dissertation spent a whole lot of time on Arnulf and how he fit into the broader constellation of Carolingian politics and tradition, but I had…

Jun 19•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

What's New in Medieval Studies IV (May 2026)

Welcome back to my monthly installment of new releases in medieval studies.

Jun 5•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Contact Across Cultures: Byzantium and the Carolingians

Guest Post 1: Among the Ruins x the Empress of Byzantium

Published on The Empress of Byzantium•Jun 3

There is No Such Thing as a Complete History

This post was prompted by a brief interaction I saw on Bluesky a while back, where someone proudly shared they were starting an ancient history podcast…

May 29•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Support Among the Ruins!

I’ve finally, after a few years of writing posts, enabled paid subscriptions for Among the Ruins. I wanted to take a moment to explain why now and why I…

May 28•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

What Does It Mean To Finish A PhD?

May 16, 2025•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Were You There? The Case for Knowing Things About the Past

Sep 5, 2025•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Why You Should Read Academic Books

Apr 10•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Historians at Work

Nov 3, 2024•Jon Dell Isola, PhD

Name in Print I

Arnulf, Dynasty, and Charters*

May 15•Jon Dell Isola, PhD