Cultural Brokers at Mediterranean Courts in the Middle Ages

People of the most diverse origins, functions and religious affiliations gathered at Christian and Muslim courts in the Medieval Mediterranean: Diplomats, scholars, artists, merchants and pilgrims came as visitors and encountered a wide spectrum of court officials such as administrative personnel, translators, religious experts, the ruler's confidants, not to forget the Royal family itself. A wide range of religious backgrounds can be discerned, and arguably communication took place between these agents at court, who therefore transcended cultural borders. The articles in this volume focus these cultural brokers and their importance for processes of mediaeval entanglement. In a sweeping survey covering the entire Mediterranean and its hinterland, the thirteen papers deal with the courts of the Abbassids, the Ilkhans, the Fatimids and the Byzantines as well as with the courts of Rhodes, Cyprus, Aragon, Castile, Granada, Venice and Rome. Different forms and agents of brokerage are analysed, particular attention being paid to modes and means of inter-religious contact. By taking both the northern and southern rim of the Mediterranean into account, this volume extends our view of mediaeval court cultures and opens the field for transcultural comparisons.

Autorentext
Marc von der Höh, Dr., Akademischer Rat, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Nikolas Jaspert, Dr., Prof. für Geschichte des Mittelalters, Ruhr-Universität Bochum.Jenny Rahel Oesterle, Dr., Juniorprofessorin für Geschichte des Mittelmeerraums im Mittelalter. Ruhr-Universität Bochum.

Klappentext

Menschen verschiedener Herkunft, Religion und Funktion traten an den islamischen und christlichen Höfen des Mittelmeerraums miteinander in Kontakt: Gesandte, Gelehrte, Künstler und Kaufleute begegneten Verwaltungsbeamten, Vertrauten des Herrschers, Dolmetschern, Religions- und Rechtsexperten. Die Beiträge nehmen die Akteure des Religions- und Kulturtransfers u.a. an den Höfen der Abbasiden, den Höfen von Byzanz, Aragon, Rhodos, Zypern, dem Papsthof und dem Hof Friedrichs II. in den Blick. Dabei geht es vor allem um die Rolle, die Religion bei diesen Kontakten spielte.