A Coptic Center in Medieval West Africa: Reframing Prester John and Early Global Trade
This paper explores the importance of new technologies in the art historical study of Medieval West Africa and how related methodologies both help us understand the important art and architectural landscape here in this period, and how Africa and the eastern Coptic Christian world helped to reshape Africa in this era.
The search for Prester John, a projected crusade and the eroding prestige of Ethiopian kings, c.1200–c.1540
The myth of Prester John, a priest-king of phenomenal wealth and power somewhere in the East, was a popular theme in medieval writings and had remarkable staying power.
The Quest for Prester John
The legend of Prester John is one of the most fascinating and powerful myths of all time. To say that Medieval Europeans knew little about the world outside of their native continent is truly an understatement. It was an age in which much was assumed rather than ascertained about the exotic lands beyond.