Mediterranean Exchanges: Toledo, Palermo, Granada, Istanbul

For thousands of years, the Mediterranean Basin has nurtured creative and powerful cultures. Alice C. Hunsberger, a professor of Islamic culture, explores key cities around the Mediterranean Sea where the interplay of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam flourished in the millennium between 500 and 1500 A.D.

The Christian reconquest of Spain takes Toledo in 1085, cementing its role as an intellectual hub for translations from Arabic to Latin, bringing Greek knowledge back to Europe; Christians (including El Cid) helped Muslims fight. The Norman conquest of Sicily and Southern Italy creates a vibrant mixture of Muslim and Christian cultures and scientific production, including the most important world map of the time. In 1492, Granada, with its Alhambra palace-fortress, is the last city in Spain to fall to the Christians, forcing Muslims and Jews to convert or leave. Many take refuge in the newly renamed Istanbul after Constantinople fell to the Muslim Ottomans in 1453.

Hunsberger shares stories of fascinating characters and provides a rich visual history of luxurious and everyday items, both ecclesiastical and secular, from textiles to scientific inventions. Throughout, she offers a view of the complex interdependencies of popes, emperors, caliphs, and kings, reflected in commercial, trading, spiritual, military, medical, literary, philosophical, and artistic pursuits.

Hunsberger has taught courses dealing with aspects of Islam at universities including Arya Mehr University of Technology in Isfahan, Iran, and Hunter College, the City University of New York. She currently teaches at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

Other Mediterranean Exchanges Programs

• July 6: Rome, Jeruselem, Constantinople, Alexandria
• July 20: Cordoba, Venice, Cairo

Patron Information

• If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
• Unless otherwise noted, registration for streaming programs typically closes two hours prior to the start time on the date of the program.
• Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from [email protected].
• Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of the program. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of the program, please email Customer Service for assistance.
• View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.