Jerusalem and Charlemagne
August 2024 | Vol. 12.8 By Jodi Magness On Christmas day, 800 CE, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. At the ceremony, which took place in Rome, the
A Reverse History of the Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria: From the Underwater Remains to the First Structure
October 2023 | Vol. 11.10 By Michael Denis Higgins The Pharos Lighthouse of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coastline of Egypt existed for 1600 years, through three major political
Wine Production in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
Winemaking is an ancient practice in the Levant. But when the Franks arrived during the Crusades they brought their own techniques.
Myth and Marvel: Medieval Muslim Writings on Ancient Egypt
Medieval Muslim scholars could not read ancient Egyptian writing. They therefore understood the past through the lenses of literary genres, myths, and the Quran.
Arabic Medieval Cookbooks in English Translation: Treasure Troves for Near Eastern Material Culture
Medieval cookbooks present hundreds of recipes, including a surprising number for sparrow. But they tell us much more than about food; they provide a picture of life and manners.
Silk Textiles in the Southern Levant
The Hebrew word for silk appears only twice in the Bible. But after 400 CE, as Christianity and pilgrimage expanded, silk from Egypt and Syria began to appear, and to be preserved