OSHER 111 - The Wonderful Middle Ages and the Medieval Way of Life in Italy

The so-called Dark Ages are depicted as a period of barbaric practices, deep ignorance, and scientific regression. Instead, it was a time of discovery, creativity, and intense exchange with other cultures all over the Mediterranean and beyond. Near Naples, women officially taught medicine to medical students; in Bologna, the university education system was implemented; in Venice, an intense exchange with Byzantine and Arabic countries created a unique masterpiece we still enjoy today; in Palermo, Arabs, Jews, and Normans collaborated to build an amazing and integrated culture. By examining the history of Siena, Verona, Florence, Pisa, Amalfi, and Venice, we will see how Medieval people thought, lived, and contributed to the creation of our modern world.