By Paula Sanders (NHC Fellow, 2002–03) This book argues that the historic city we know as Medieval Cairo was created in the nineteenth century by both Egyptians and Europeans against a background of four overlapping political and cultural contexts: the local Egyptian, Anglo-Egyptian, Anglo-Indian, and Ottoman imperial milieux. Addressing the interrelated topics of empire, local … Continued
By Dyan Elliott (NHC Fellow, 1997–98; 2012–13) Medieval clerics believed that original sin had rendered their "fallen bodies" vulnerable to corrupting impulses—particularly those of a sexual nature. They feared that their corporeal frailty left them susceptible to demonic forces bent on penetrating and polluting their bodies and souls. Drawing on a variety of canonical and … Continued
By Gregory of ToursTranslated by Raymond Van Dam (NHC Fellow, 1986–87) The first translation into English of one of Gregory’s eight books of miracle stories, which contains a series of anecdotes about the lives and cults of martyrs.
By Ruth Nisse (NHC Fellow, 2005–06) Jewish and Christian authors of the High Middle Ages not infrequently came into dialogue or conflict with each other over traditions drawn from ancient writings outside of the bible. Circulating in Latin and Hebrew adaptations and translations, these included the two independent versions of the Testament of Naphtali in … Continued
Translated by Joel Marcus (NHC Fellow, 2004–05) In the final nine chapters of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus increasingly struggles with his disciples’ incomprehension of his unique concept of suffering messiahship and with the opposition of the religious leaders of his day. The Gospel recounts the events that led to Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion … Continued
By Jasper Hopkins (NHC Fellow, 1983–84)
Edited by Hedva Ben-Israel (NHC Fellow, 1985–86) Yehoshua Arieli has always thrived on the parry and thrust of vital intellectual interchange. He is most acute and at home in the formulation and analysis of complex problems, in the give and take of passionate and ongoing discussion. It is in this spirit that the editors of … Continued
By Ann Grodzins Gold (NHC Fellow, 2014–15) Jahazpur is a small market town or qasba with a diverse population of more than 20,000 people located in Bhilwara District in the North Indian state of Rajasthan. With roots deep in history and legend, Shiptown (a literal translation of landlocked Jahazpur's name) today is a subdistrict headquarters … Continued
By Alexander Rosenberg (NHC Fellow, 2006–07) We can’t avoid the persistent questions about the meaning of life—and the nature of reality. But science is the only means of answering them. So declares philosopher Alex Rosenberg in this bracing, surprisingly sanguine take on a world without god. The science that makes us nonbelievers, he demonstrates, tells … Continued
By Alexander Welsh (NHC Fellow, 2008–09) For about three thousand years comedy has applied a welcome humanist perspective to the world’s religious beliefs and practices. From the ancient Greek comedies of Aristophanes, the famous poem by Lucretius, and dialogues of Cicero to early modern and Enlightenment essays and philosophical texts, together with the inherent skepticism … Continued