The Art of Charlemagne, Islam and the Silk Roads

(Illustration by Yahyá al-Wasiti from 1237 depicting scholars at an Abbasid library in Baghdad. Found in the Maqama of Hariri located at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.)

Booking closes Friday 16th May at 12 noon.

Due to limited resources we are UNABLE TO ACCEPT LATE BOOKINGS after this date

THIS COURSE WILL BE HELD ONLINE THROUGH ZOOM

The Carolingian world of Charlemagne and the Islamic world of Harun-al-Rashid during the latter years of the 8th and early 9th centuries.

This course of five seminars looks at the era of one of the most remarkable men in history, Charlemagne, King and then Emperor of the Frankish Kingdom in western Europe, who died in 814.

We will study aspects of his contribution to the arts, architecture, manuscript production, ivory carving and also the founding of monasteries, towns and schools. The period of his reign and that of his son, Louis the Pious, and grandson, Charles the Bald, is known as the Carolingian Renaissance due to Charlemagne's aim to replicate the classical world.

Then, we move east and identify the importance of the trading routes connecting Europe, Asia, India and China, known as the Silk Roads, in the formation of Islamic art, architecture, calligraphy, philosophy and other sciences. We will study the relationship between this emerging Islamic world and the Carolingian Empire, between one of the greatest Abbasid leaders, Harun al-Hashid and Charlemagne.

Tutor: Dr Jo Chapman Campbell

Jo is an art historian, artist and author. She taught for many years at Edinburgh University.

Enquiries should be sent to: lifelonglearningdundee@gmail.com

As a volunteer organisation with limited resources we try to respond to queries as quickly as possible. Please bear with us.

Course Code 08 310