Medieval Ethnographies

European Perceptions of the World Beyond

Nonfiction, History
Cover of the book Medieval Ethnographies by Joan-Pau Rubies, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Joan-Pau Rubies ISBN: 9781351918619
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: May 15, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Joan-Pau Rubies
ISBN: 9781351918619
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: May 15, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

From the twelfth century, a growing sense of cultural confidence in the Latin West (at the same time that the central lands of Islam suffered from numerous waves of conquest and devastation) was accompanied by the increasing importance of the genre of empirical ethnographies. From a a global perspective what is most distinctive of Europe is the genre's long-term impact rather than its mere empirical potential, or its ethnocentrism (all of which can also be found in China and in Islamic cultures). Hence what needs emphasizing is the multiplication of original writings over time, their increased circulation, and their authoritative status as a 'scientific' discourse. The empirical bent was more characteristic of travel accounts than of theological disputations - in fact, the less elaborate the theological discourse, the stronger the ethnographic impulse (although many travel writers were clerics). This anthology of classic articles in the history of medieval ethnographies illustrates this theme with reference to the contexts and genres of travel writing, the transformation of enduring myths (ranging from oriental marvels to the virtuous ascetics of India or Prester John), the practical expression of particular encounters from the Mongols to the Atlantic, and the various attempts to explain cultural differences, either through the concept of barbarism, or through geography and climate.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

From the twelfth century, a growing sense of cultural confidence in the Latin West (at the same time that the central lands of Islam suffered from numerous waves of conquest and devastation) was accompanied by the increasing importance of the genre of empirical ethnographies. From a a global perspective what is most distinctive of Europe is the genre's long-term impact rather than its mere empirical potential, or its ethnocentrism (all of which can also be found in China and in Islamic cultures). Hence what needs emphasizing is the multiplication of original writings over time, their increased circulation, and their authoritative status as a 'scientific' discourse. The empirical bent was more characteristic of travel accounts than of theological disputations - in fact, the less elaborate the theological discourse, the stronger the ethnographic impulse (although many travel writers were clerics). This anthology of classic articles in the history of medieval ethnographies illustrates this theme with reference to the contexts and genres of travel writing, the transformation of enduring myths (ranging from oriental marvels to the virtuous ascetics of India or Prester John), the practical expression of particular encounters from the Mongols to the Atlantic, and the various attempts to explain cultural differences, either through the concept of barbarism, or through geography and climate.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Road Not Taken by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Critical Essays by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Educating for Civic-mindedness by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book A Literary History of England by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book A Jurisprudence of Movement by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Public Law in East Asia by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Understanding Innovation in Emerging Economic Spaces by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Welfare, Ethnicity and Altruism by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Reason in the City of Difference by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Living Theory by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book The History of Swedish Economic Thought by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book No Timber Without Trees by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Burton Malkiel's A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book Self Psychology and Psychosis by Joan-Pau Rubies
Cover of the book The Transformation of Contemporary Health Care by Joan-Pau Rubies
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy