1“Under Crescent and Cross” Geography of Jewish History in Middle Ages Chronology of Jews in Medieval Europe Islam: some brief introductory remarks Chronology of Jews under Medieval Islam Discussion: “Under Crescent and Cross”November 22, 2006Geography of Med. J. HistoryMap: routes of “Radhanites”Jews in Europe: Older communities in Spain, So. France, Med. FringeJews in Islamic LandsSome of the oldest and nume-rically most signif.communi-ties, including MesopotamiaChronology of Jews in MedievalEurope, 600-1500 In older communities under “Barbarian” rule (esp. VisigothicSpain, until conquered by Muslims, 711), hostile rule, attemptsat prohibiting Judaism 10th–12th C: Expansion of Jewish settlement in W. & C.Europe. Mostly miniscule communities of traders Importance of trade, and later moneylending Erosion of status, expulsions in stronger states England, 1290 France: 1306, 1322 Growth of eastern European J. CommunitiesFollowing a different Chronology 12th–15th C: Reconquista in Spain Expulsions Spain (Castille and Aragon) (1492) Portugal (1498)2Islam: some brief introductoryremarks A religion rooted in a common literary and religioustradition with that of Judaism and Christianity Centered on revelation to prophet Muḥammad(570–632), as the completion and restoration of truerevelation Geography: Origins in Mecca, first community(ummah, “a people”) in Medinah (after hijra, 622) Authoritative canon includes both Qur’an and Ḥadith(“reports”), generally reporting sayings or deeds ofthe prophet Like Med. Judaism, less like Med. Xianity: morerigorously monotheistic; a developed literature oflegal scholarship as high cultural attainment.Chronology of Jews under MedievalIslam During the life of Muhammad: Clashes with Jewishtribes in Hijaz ‘Umar (Caliph 634–44); Pact of ‘Umar, dhimmi 8th–12th Century: Period of flourishing Jewishcultural life. (Cohen: “myth of interfaith utopia”) Reconquista: extended process of expulsion ofmuslim rulers from Spain With 12th C, a series of restrictions, persecutions insome regions (e.g., Almohades, Spain and No.Africa) In late Middle Ages, Early Modern, slow decline instatus, wealth; new opportunities in Ottoman EmpireDiscussion: “Under Crescent
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