Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXVII GENERAL CONDITION OF EUROPE FROM THE VIII. TO THE XVI. CENTURY 700-1500 Effects of Barbarian Supremacy on the Nations of Europe--Rise of the Papal Power--Character of the Popes--Their Vices and Crimes--The Interdict--Corrupt Practices of Prelates and Degradation of the Papacy--Institution of the Monastic Orders--Their Great Influence--Their Final Degeneracy --Wealth of the Religious Houses--The Byzantine System --Its Characteristics--Power of the Eunuchs--Splendor of Constantinople--Destruction of Learning--Debased Condition of the Greeks--The People of Western Europe--Tyranny of Caste and its Effects--Feudal Oppression--Life of the Noble--His Amusements--The Serf and his Degradation--His Hopeless Existence--Treatment of the Jews-- Prevalence of Epidemics --: Religious Festivals -- General Ignorance--Scarcity and Value of Books--Persecution of Learning--The Empire of the Church--Its Extraordinary Vitality. In order that the reader may thoroughly understand and properly appreciate the moral and intellectual supremacy of the Spanish Arabs and their prodigious advance in the domain of science and the arts, I have thought it advisable, by way of contrast, to present to him a short and superficial sketch of the religious, political, and domestic conditions which prevailed in the society of contemporaneous Europe. The extent of this vast and comprehensive subject--one which has exhausted the erudition of many great historians, whose works of themselves would constitute a considerable library--must, therefore, excuse the incomplete and cursory character of this chapter; while its importance as a standard of comparison will account for an apparent deviation from the general plan embraced by these volumes. The elegant luxury and...
