Feature Articles Vol. 7 #3, Issue #27   $9 each click here to order

 

The Thousand Years of Islam
Islam is the last of the three great monotheistic religions that sprang
into being in the area known today as the Middle East. Founded on the
Arabian Peninsula during the seventh century by Muhammed, Islam spread
rapidly to become one of the predominant religions of the western
hemisphere.

 

The Muslim Impact on Medieval Europe
Although contact between the Muslims and Europeans occurred from the
fifth century onward, their contact had little influence on the
narrow-minded thinking of most Europeans during the Middle Ages. In
fact, warring ideologies between Christian and Muslims only bred
misconceptions, virulent stereotypes, and prurient stories.

 

The Prosperity and Tolerance of Muslim Spain

The Moors controlled Spain for well over 700 years, but unlike the
Christians whose education was censored by the Church, the followers of
Islam embraced knowledge in all of its forms. From these modest
beginnings,
a Renaissance soon spread across Muslim Spain as the rest of Europe
slept in the abyss of the Dark Ages.

Black Bird: The Arbiter of Style
If you have ever eaten asparagus or started your meal with soup and
ended with dessert, or ever used toothpaste or styled your hair with
bangs, you owe a debt of gratitude to one of the greatest black
musicians in history: Ziryab, or 3Black Bird,2 who charmed the
ninth-century Spanish royal court at Cordoba with his songs.

The Arabian Nights: A Tale of the People

The Wizardry of Illustrator Tom Cross

 

Featured Columns

The Compleat Gamester
ÝÝHyena and Zodiac: Arabic Games of Fun

The Costumer1s Creation
ÝÝDrop the Tights and Don the Middle Eastern Kamis

Culinary Delights
ÝÝRamadan Rituals: Fast and Feast

Language Then and Now
ÝÝArabic Numerals1 Introduction to Renaissance Europe

Interview
ÝÝAhmad Abdur Rashid: Naqshbandi Sufi

Plus Game, Book, Music and Movie Reviews, and 2002 Faire and Festival Listings!

 

Subscribe! | Back Issues | Ye Olde Book Shoppe | Medieval Products for Sale

Music & Movie Reviews | Medieval Links | Medieval Glossary of Terms | Faire List

Newsletter | Submission Guidelines | Ad Rates | Who We Are

One Controls Dr
Shelton, CT 06484 USA
(800) 232-2224 voice
(800) 775-2729 fax
EditorTom@RenaissanceMagazine.com