Die Etablierung der Linie. Grenzbestimmungen und Definition eines Territoriums: Sachsen-Gotha 1640-1665.

»Establishing a Line. Definitions of the Border and the Territory in the Duchy of Sachsen-Gotha 1640-1665«. This article discusses the changing definition of boundaries in the Duchy of Sachsen-Gotha in the middle of the 17th century and it demonstrates that the new definition of the boundary can be interpreted as reflecting a new understanding of the territory as space. The study analyses not only the external borders but concentrates especially on the spatial definition of the administrative districts of the Duchy. Although from 1640 to 1665 a large number of boundary stones had already been placed and several borders had already been surveyed, the study of administrative practices and of the writings of the member of the Gotha administration Veit Ludwig von Seckendorff proves that in this period several spatial concepts were in use, ranging from a punctiform idea of space, based on tangible legal rights, to a concept of space as surface. Though the "modern" definition of the territory as a surface had not been fully asserted, first steps in this direction had already been taken. The article will demonstrate that the new definition of borders as a precise line had been settled in a long process, following in each territory its own chronological rhythm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]