We trace the Crusades from the world that spawned them to their enduring legacies, beginning with the pressures facing Byzantium, the Islamic Golden Age, and the feudal rivalries of medieval Europe. We examine the religious, political, and economic forces behind the First Crusade and the fall of Jerusalem in 1099. We follow the Muslim resurgence under Saladin, his rivalry with Richard the Lionheart, and the decline and fall of the Crusader movement through the fall of Acre in 1291. We close with legacies of cultural exchange, military orders (e.g., The Templars) and lasting tensions.
This is an OLLI at University of Arizona class. Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time. After November 1, 2026, this class will begin at 10am Pacific time.
This class from OLLI at the University of Arizona will be recorded. OLLI-UA recordings can take up to a week after the class meeting to become available.