Christians and Muslims in Early Medieval Italy: Perceptions, Encounters, and Clashes

Description

In the early Middle Ages, Italy became the target of Muslim expansionist campaigns. The Muslims conquered Sicily, ruling there for more than two centuries, and conducted many raids against the Italian Peninsula. During this period, however, Christians and Muslims were not always at war - trade flourished, and travel to the territories of the 'other' was not uncommon. By examining how Muslims and Christians perceived each other and how they communicated, this book brings the relationship between Muslims and Christians in early medieval Italy into clearer focus, showing that the followers of the Cross and those of the Crescent were in reality not as ignorant of one another as is commonly believed. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of maps Abbreviations Acknowledgments Introduction Introduction The events #15,0,-32767Chapter 1 References, definitions, and circulation of news #22,0,-32767 References Widespread distant echoes #23,0,-32767 Definitions #29,0,-32767 Information about the other #30,0,-32767 Notes #36,0,-32767Chapter 2 Religious otherness #42,0,-32767 Muslims in Christian texts The ‘contaminating’ Muslims and the attacks against the Christian religion #45,0,-32767 Holy war against the Muslims #47,0,-32767 Christians in Muslim texts #53,0,-32767 Notes #56,0,-32767Chapter 3 Perceptions #60,0,-32767 Muslims in Christian texts Christians in Muslim texts #65,0,-32767 The ferocity of the enemies and the consequences of their attacks #65,0,-32767 The leaders of the ‘other’ #69,0,-32767 Violent like, and more than, the Muslims #71,0,-32767 The pleasure of narrating violence inflicted on the other #73,0,-32767 Macabre trophies of victory #75,0,-32767 Are you what you look like? #76,0,-32767 Notes #77,0,-32767Chapter 4 Some light in the darkness: Reading between the lines of the zealots’ criticism Christian nuances #83,0,-32767 Muslim nuances #89,0,-32767 Notes #92,0,-32767Chapter 5 Supernatural events #94,0,-32767 The interventions of God and of his saints Predictions and prophesies #100,0,-32767 The devil #101,0,-32767 Notes #102,0,-32767Chapter 6 Why is the enemy attacking us and winning? #106,0,-32767 Notes #110,0,-32767Chapter 7 Rewriting history #112,0,-32767 Notes #117,0,-32767Chapter 8 The enemy is coming #120,0,-32767 Moving the saints Running away #121,0,-32767 Remaining behind the walls #123,0,-32767 Notes #124,0,-32767Chapter 9 Prisoners #126,0,-32767 Notes #134,0,-32767Chapter 10 ‘Going’ to the other #138,0,-32767 Seeking shelter Fighting with the other #139,0,-32767 Traitors #143,0,-32767 To collaborate with the other #145,0,-32767 To convert #146,0,-32767 Marrying the other #149,0,-32767 Notes #149,0,-32767Chapter 11 Encounters #154,0,-32767 Truces, pacts, and diplomatic missions Trade #158,0,-32767 Notes #162,0,-32767Conclusions Appendix Primary sources Timeline Maps Bibliography Primary sources Secondary sources Further readings Index