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Luciano Anastasi -Islam’s Golden Age: Misconception or Reality? by Jeb Smith This article critically examines the portrayal of medieval Islam in modern narratives, particularly in films like Kingdom of Heaven and academic discussions. The author argues that the Islamic world of the medieval era is often depicted as peaceful, enlightened, and tolerant in contrast to the aggressive, barbaric Crusaders. However, a closer look at Islamic conquests, religious warfare, and the treatment of non-Muslims challenges this perspective. The article delves into the origins of Islamic violence, tracing it back to the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and the Qur’an’s instructions on warfare. It also explores the systemic mistreatment of Christians, Jews, and other minorities under Islamic rule, countering the image of Muslim rulers like Saladin as enlightened and just. The narrative emphasizes the need to question and re-examine modern depictions of medieval Islam, suggesting that much of its celebrated tolerance may be a myth. https://historymedieval.com/islams-golden-age-misconception-or-reality/#google_vignette

Luciano Anastasi Challenging Anti-Jewish Racism Claims in the Crusades by Jeb Smith This article revisits the often-assumed connection between the Crusades and widespread anti-Jewish racism, focusing on Count Emicho's infamous mob during the First Crusade. While some Crusaders did commit atrocities against Jewish populations, the article argues that these acts were isolated and not representative of the Crusades as a whole. It emphasizes that many Christian leaders, including local bishops and even the Pope, actively condemned the violence and took steps to protect Jewish communities. Notably, influential figures like Saint Bernard of Clairvaux preached against harming Jews during the Second Crusade. Furthermore, the article places the violence in the broader context of medieval society, suggesting that opportunism and lack of planning, rather than outright racial hatred, drove much of the anti-Jewish violence. The Crusades, it argues, were not a systematic movement against Jews but a complex historical event influenced by various social, political, and economic factors. Ultimately, the author contends that anti-Semitism increased more significantly after the Crusades, particularly with the rise of nation-states in the Renaissance. https://historymedieval.com/challenging-anti-jewish-racism-claims-in-the-crusades/

My latest article in History Now Magazine briefly examines the Confederate Constitution's divergence from the original U.S. Constitution, which leaned towards more libertarian, decentralized, and conservative principles. http://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2024/9/21/the-confederate-constitution-and-the-us-civil-war

My latest article on the Crusades addresses the claim that the Crusaders were racist and bigoted towards Islam. Racism in the Crusades: Fact or Fiction? https://historymedieval.com/racism-in-the-crusades-fact-or-fiction/