Medieval Heresies
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam

A comparative history of heresy in Latin and Greek Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, spanning the fourth to the sixteenth century.

Christine Caldwell Ames (Author)

9781107023369, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 2 April 2015

368 pages, 13 b/w illus. 5 maps
22.3 x 14.4 x 2.5 cm, 0.56 kg

'Undoubtedly, this is a very useful, erudite and needed book vividly showing the entangled history of religious dissent in these historical monotheisms … Her book can be thus used in a variety of ways, ranging from pure academic interest and research to teaching and other educational purposes, especially in current times, in which the continuing relevance of these monotheistic religions and their perceptions of 'right' and 'wrong' (or 'orthodoxy' and 'heresy', if you like) in various constellations becomes more than evident and at times makes the headlines worldwide.' Vasilios N. Makrides, Entangled Religions

Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Middle Ages were divided in many ways. But one thing they shared in common was the fear that God was offended by wrong belief. Medieval Heresies: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam is the first comparative survey of heresy and its response throughout the medieval world. Spanning England to Persia, it examines heresy, error, and religious dissent - and efforts to end them through correction, persuasion, or punishment - among Latin Christians, Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims. With a lively narrative that begins in the late fourth century and ends in the early sixteenth century, Medieval Heresies is an unprecedented history of how the three great monotheistic religions of the Middle Ages resembled, differed from, and even interrelated with each other in defining heresy and orthodoxy.

Introduction: 'My community will be divided': heresy in the medieval world
1. Peoples of the book (380–661)
2. Triumphs of orthodoxy (661–1031)
3. The perfect hatred (1031–1209)
4. Cinders and ashes (1209–1328)
5. Purity and peoples (1328–1510)
Epilogue
For further reading
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Judaism [HRJ], Islam [HRH], Christianity [HRC], Religion: general [HRA], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]