Middle Ages Reference Library Vol 2 - Biographies

The Middle Ages was an era of great changes in civilization, a transition between ancient times and the modern world. Lasting roughly from A.D. 500 to 1500, the period saw the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe and the spread of the Islamic faith in the Middle East. Around the world, empires-the Byzantine, Mongol, and Incan-rose and fell, and the first nation-states emerged in France, England, and Spain. Despite the beauty of illuminated manuscripts, soaring Gothic cathedrals, and the literary classics of Augustine and Dante, Europe's civilization lagged far behind that of the technologically advanced, administratively organized, and economically wealthy realms of the Arab world, West Africa, India, and China. "Middle Ages: Primary Sources" contains excerpts from speeches, journal entries, poems, letters and many other documents relating to the era that encompass both key documents and those sources that are equally as important, but less known. Each of the 19 entries contains an introduction that provides context, highlights central ideas and gives brief biographical information on related individuals. Sources for further information are also noted as well as full document citations. "Middle Ages: Primary Sources" features excerpts and full-text writings of the era from all over the world and includes: "Beowulf" "Song of Roland" Domesday book of Norman England Writings on alchemy, medicine and other sciences "Secret History" "Chronographia" "Koran" "Thousand and One Nights" "The Description of the World" Letter from Pope Gregory VII to King Henry IV Letter from a Crusader to his wife Magna Carta And many othersAlso included are 100 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, timeline, glossary, and a subject index. Showing the diversity of ethnic and national groups, "Middle Ages: Biographies" presents 50 biographical entries in 2 vols. Featuring people from a variety of professions and social classes, chronologically arranged biographies highlight individuals who are noteworthy for their contribution to significant events in the Middle Ages, including: Marco Polo William the Conqueror Charlemagne Guido of Arezzo Lady Godiva St. Patrick St. Nicholas El Cid Leif Erikson King Alfred Justinian Heraclius Irene of Athens Great Prince Vladmir Muhammad Harun al-Rashid Rabia al 'Adawyya Omar Khayyam Saladin Ibn-Battuta Mehmed the Conqueror Osman Maimonides And many othersAlso included are 100 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, timeline, glossary, and a subject index. "Middle Ages: Almanac" includes 19 chapters arranged by geographic location and dedicated to a different civilization, their origins, conflicts and struggles for power in the Middle Ages. From the Arab and Muslim worlds to the European Crusades, "Middle Ages: Almanac" presents the phases of history that defined the era. Each chapter begins with a map displaying the geographic location of the civilization followed by a description of its origins, history and importance. Also included are sidebars containing lists of unfamiliar words and suggestions for classroom activities as well as 100 photographs and illustrations, sidebars, timeline, glossary, and a subject index. How did the Sunni Shiite split in medieval times bring about modern tensions between Iran and Iraq? "Middle Ages Reference Library" helps students answer this question and many other enigmas by encouraging them to see how events and ideas are linked. Included in this set are: "Middle Ages: Almanac," covering the different civilizations and peoples of Medieval times; "Middle Ages: Biographies," a 2-vol. compilation of biographical essays on significant individuals of the era; and "Middle Ages: Primary Sources," presenting an insightful collection of excerpts from relevant letters, journal entries, poems and more from the era. This 4-vol. reference set guides young researchers in making connections between events that took place nearly 1,000 years ago to events reported in the news today. The set includes Middle Ages: Almanac, covering the different civilizations and peoples of Medieval times Middle Ages: Biography, a 2-vol. compilation of biographical essays on significant individuals of the era; and Middle Ages: Primary Sources, presenting an insightful collection of excerpts from relevant letters, journal entries, poems and more from the era Features nineteen full or excerpted documents written during the Middle Ages. Entries include excerpts from Augustine's Confessions and Dante's Inferno; Marco Polo's description of his travels in China; The Thousand and one nights; and Japan's "Seventeen-article constitution," written by Prince Shotoku Taishi. Each entry is accompanied by introductory and historical information to place the document in context as well as a document-specific glassary. Biographical volumes include Averroes, Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, Mansa Musa, Muhammad, Marco Polo, Richard I, and Saladin as well as other important European and Asian figures. Almanac volume contains (see contents notes for chapters). Primary source volume contains excerpts from letters, diaries and other writings by (see contents notes for authors). All volumes contain a chronology of important events during the Middle Ages Presents biographical profiles of fifty significant individuals who lived during the Middle Ages; a comprehensive overview of the period, its empires, and its societies; and nineteen historical and cultural documents from the period. The four main volumes also contain a time line and a glossary Includes a timeline of events in the Middle Ages and a "Words to Know" section, this book presents nineteen full or excerpted documents written during the Middle Ages and covering such topics as cultures in conflict, personal life, and the relationship between the church and government Presents nineteen documents written during the Middle Ages, including excerpts from Augustine's "Confessions," Dante's "Inferno," and Marco Polo's travel writings, and includes background information to place each document in context. Outlines major events throughout the world; profiles notable leaders, religious figures, authors, travelers, and others from Europe, the Islamic world, Asia, Africa, and the Americas; and offers excerpts from original sources. Search the extensive U - X - L Middle Ages Reference Library with ease with this cumulative index to the entire set. Title from ebook title screen (viewed June 2, 2004).