E-Book Content
HANDBOOK to life in the Medieval World Madeleine Pelner Cosman and Linda Gale Jones
Handbook to Life in the Medieval World Copyright © 2008 Estate of Madeleine Pelner Cosman Introduction, chapter 1, and chapter 2 copyright © 2008 Infobase Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information contact: Facts On File, Inc. An imprint of Infobase Publishing 132 West 31st Street New York NY 10001 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Cosman, Madeleine Pelner. Handbook to life in the medieval world / Madeleine Pelner Cosman and Linda Gale Jones. p. cm. “Handbook to Life in the Medieval World, looks at the medieval period from the perspective of Christians, Jews, and Muslims who inherited and inhabited the Classical Roman Empire . . .”—Introd. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-8160-4887-8 1. Civilization, Medieval. 2. Civilization, Christian. 3. Civilization, Islamic. 4. Jews—Civilization. I. Jones, Linda Gale. II. Title. CB351.C625 2007 909.07—dc22 2007000887 Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quantities for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call our Special Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Facts On File on the World Wide Web at http://www.factsonfile.com Text design by Cathy Rincon Maps by Jeremy Eagle Printed in the United States of America VB Hermitage 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper and contains 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Contents List of Illustrations
v
List of Maps
vi
Acknowledgments
vii
Introduction
ix
Volume I 1
2
History Western Europe Byzantine Empire Islamic Empire Jews in the Medieval World Chronology Reading
1 3 43 56 75 98 104
Society Christian Society Muslim Society Jewish Society Reading
109 110 138 161 180
3 Economy and Trade Economy and Trade in Christian Europe Economy and Trade in the Islamic Empire Jewish Economy and Trade Reading
185 189 213 242 256
4
Warfare and Weapons Christian Warfare and Weapons Islamic Jihad, Warfare, and Weapons Jewish Military Matters Reading
261 262 292 311 320
Volume II 5
Philosophy and Religion Christian Theology and Philosophy Jewish Philosophy and Theology Islamic Philosophy and Theology Reading
325 326 365 386 409
6
Mysticism and Magic Christian Mysticism and Magic Jewish Mysticism and Magic Islamic Mysticism and Magic Reading
413 414 439 451 464
7 Medicine, Science, and Technology Medicine in Europe Science and Technology in Europe Jewish Contributions to Medicine and Science Medicine, Science, and Technology in the Islamic World Reading
469 470 503 514 525 546
551 552 554 588 603 625
11 Holidays and Festivals Christian Holidays and Festivals Jewish Weddings, Sabbaths, and Holidays Islamic Holidays and Festivals Reading
9 Literature Christian Literature Jewish Literature Islamic Literature Reading
629 631 665 683 708
10 Music and Dance Christian Music and Dance Jewish Music and Dance Islamic Music and Dance Reading
713 714 737 747 759
12 Clothing, Costume, and Textiles Christian Clothing Jewish Costumes and Clothing Muslim Clothing and Textiles A Glossary of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Hat Styles and Clothing Reading
8
Art and Architecture The Patronage of the Arts