The Renaissance of the Twelfth Century

Synopsis

"Haskins presented an interesting thesis about cultural/intellectual exchanges prior to the 12th century (1100s). The book challenged the notion that Medieval Europeans were ignorant and unlearned prior to the Crusades (1096-1291). Haskins argued that there were cultural/intellectual exchanges prior to the Crusades especially in Southern Italy. The Byzantines Greeks and Arabic Moslems had trade in this area even after the disintegration of Roman Empire. Haskins suggested that the market place of goods was also a "market place of ideas." Gradually such exchanges and ideas penetrated Northern Europe." [Amazon reviewer]

RefTags

Released

1971

Location

Europe

Setting