Cultural Brokers at Mediterran

By Jenny Rahel Oesterle

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals how medieval courts across the Mediterranean became unexpected centers of spiritual and cultural exchange. Marc von der Höh examines the fascinating world of "cultural brokers" - diplomats, scholars, artists, merchants, and pilgrims who navigated between Christian and Muslim realms during the medieval period.

Through thirteen detailed studies spanning from the Abbasid and Byzantine courts to the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, and Granada, this work illuminates how individuals of diverse religious backgrounds found common ground in royal courts. These cultural intermediaries transcended traditional boundaries, facilitating communication and understanding between different faith traditions and worldviews.

The book demonstrates how court officials, translators, religious experts, and even royal family members participated in what the author terms "medieval entanglement" - a complex web of inter-religious contact that shaped spiritual and intellectual development across cultures. By examining both northern and southern Mediterranean courts, von der Höh presents a comprehensive view of how spiritual wisdom and religious understanding flowed between civilizations.

For readers interested in how different spiritual traditions have historically influenced one another, this work offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of cross-cultural religious dialogue. It reveals how individual agents of change have long served as bridges between diverse spiritual communities, fostering mutual understanding and shared growth across religious divides.

The extensive geographic scope covers courts from Rhodes to Rome, providing a panoramic view of medieval spiritual diplomacy.