The Peoples of Sicily: A Multicultural Legacy

By Louis Mendola and Jacqueline Alio

Book Overview

Can the eclectic medieval experience of the world's most conquered island be a lesson for our times? Home to Normans, Greeks, Arabs, Germans and Jews, it was for centuries a crossroads of cultures, faiths and learning - the epitome of diversity. Here, in the expanded second edition of this popular book, one of Sicily's leading historians introduces the place where Europe, Asia and Africa met, where bilingualism was the norm, divorce was legal, the rights of women were defended and the environment was protected. All before 1250. This informative volume includes a general history of Sicily from the pre-historic era until 1500, with chapters on religion, Sicily's historic ethnic groups (Greeks, Normans, Jews, Muslims), prominent figures (Roger II, Frederick II, queens Margaret and Joanna, Idrisi, Bin Jubayr, Benjamin of Tudela), the Sicilian language and cuisine, and sites such as Monreale's abbey and Palermo's palatine chapel. There are maps, genealogical tables, a timeline, reading list, bibliography, endnotes and more. This book is a fascinating read but also highly illuminating.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 061579694X
• ISBN13: 9780615796949
• Release Date: November 2014
• Publisher: Trinacria Editions
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.18 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 8.0"