The Medieval Expansion of Europe

By J.R.S. Phillips

Book Overview

The exploits of Marco Polo and Eric the Red are well-known today, but less-known are the many other explorers of the time and the extent of medieval European contact with other continents. Between 1000 and 1500, world trade and travel flourished as never before as Europe looked for new worlds to explore and conquer. This detailed introductory survey draws on a large and controversial body of evidence to chart the medieval European tradition of expansion, exploring its roots in Classical ideas of the world and tracing its influence on the famous voyages of the Renaissance. Phillips also provides fascinating discussion of the myths and hoaxes surrounding medieval exploration.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192891235
• ISBN13: 9780192891235
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.8" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

A very good account of European expansion.

This book covers the period from 11th to 15th century. It offers a very good and profound summarizing study of the European travellings and discoveries to Asia, Africa and America before Columbus. I, personally, liked it very much for the detailed account given for Asian countries visited by Europeans (for me it was especially Odoricus de Pordenone, that I liked, but I got some new information of Giovanni di Piano Carpini, William Rubruck or Johann Schiltberger). Very interesting is the account about African travels and the American pre-Columbian voyages. There is a numerous summary of literature, but there are no editions of sources in original cited, only English translation. At least the writings in Latin or other European languages should be there. I highly recommend it to anybody who is interested in the Middle Ages and especially the East (the Asian part is the most detailled).