The Saracens

(The Enemy)

    The term Saracen is ancient, predating the medieval age and has changed in the way that it is used throughout history (1). However, the broadest and most common definition was as a catch-all phrase for any group of people who were not Christian and/or European. In this blog, we are discussing a number of rich and diverse cultures with the shared trait of being referred to as the Saracens. So, in fairness, I will refer to all Europeans and Christians as Franks, which the Saracens generally called them (1). The Saracens have a wealth of history and culture, but I will be focusing on the significance of the term Saracen itself, which is essentially the Franks perspective of Saracens.

Map of the Saracen Empire A.D 622-756 (4)

    "Saracenism: the desert life, its religious sentiments, its passions, fury, courage" (2)

    The Saracens were extremely successful conquerors who took over vast swaths of land beginning in the 7th century (1). They conquered most of Northern Africa, colonizing the Berbers who lived there. They conquered most of the Iberian Peninsula and held some part of Spain all the way up to 1492. Their hold in Spain made them particularly visible to the Franks and has left a cultural mark to this day. The Saracens can be broken up into various empires and cultures, including "Umgyyads, Fatimids, and Abbasids, Arabs and Muslims, Shi'ites and Sunnis, Persians and Turks" (1). Many of these groups were at war with each other, trying to gain land and destroy each other. And yet, from the Frank's perspective, they were all one enemy, one devilish group of people against Christianity. 

Religion

(6)

    One component of the Saracen term was the belief they were all Muslim. However, the term Saracen actually predates Islam (1). Regardless, it became closely associated with Saracens. Christianity is quite similar in its monotheism and scripture, but the Franks saw the Saracens as godless, even representing the devil (1). The Christians and Muslims believe the Arab people are descendants of Ishmael, "son of Abraham's young concubine Hagar" (1). Despite the shared history in their religions, the Franks see the Saracens as Godless. These religious beliefs, as well as a number of complicated political and social events led to the Crusades. 

                                    The Crusades

    In the first Crusade, the Franks stormed Jerusalem within the Holy Lands which was currently occupied by the Saracens. It's estimated that 40,000 Saracens were murdered (1). Of course, not all of these Saracens were Muslim. Jewish people, and even Christians were murdered along with the Muslims as they were all seen as Saracens (1). So, it is clear that the Franks view of the Saracens had more wrapped up in it than simply their religion. 

Race

    Race in the medieval ages was complicated and almost completely different from how we see it today. Regardless, one component of the hatred and difference between the Franks and the Saracens was in their complexion. The Saracens are sometimes described as monstrous giants with fangs and blue skin (5). Other times, they are depicted as "black as ink" (5). The common feature is that the Saracens, when depicted as evil, are always described as physically different from the Franks. The video below goes into more detail about race in the Middle Ages, but the term Saracens, although it somewhat encompassed a racial component, could not be described solely as a skin color difference.

Medieval Race video (5)

Best Friends?

    Interestingly, there are accounts of Franks and Saracens being close friends. This is not all that surprising since, as you may have noticed through this blog, they shared many similarities. One way this is highlighted is in their treatment and beliefs around women. The word 'ird in Arabic roughly translates to chivalry (1). The only difference being that some Saracens believed the Franks did not care  enough about the purity of their women (1). While the two cultures generally looked down on one another, each believing they were superior, Saracens and Franks both learned things about medicine and science from one another. The Saracens were extremely knowledgeable in mathematics in science (1). 

    The feelings from the Franks in this blog are generally shared by the Saracens. Many Saracens saw the Franks as animals, completely beneath them (1). Nearly all Saracens believed that their medicine, sciences, laws and culture were superior to the Franks (1). Despite some exceptions and friendships, the Saracens and Franks saw each other as strange, confusing foreigners. Essentially, Saracen simply represents the other, 

Works Cited

1- Falk, Avner. Franks and Saracens : Reality and Fantasy in the Crusades. London : Routledge, 2010. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=3000xna&AN=366875&site=ehost-live.

2- Hungerford, Edward. “The Intellectual Mission of the Saracens.” The Atlantic, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1886/12/the-intellectual-mission-of-the-saracens/376175/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.

3- Raul, Cristo. “Cristo Raul.” MEDIEVAL HISTORY. THE RISE OF THE SARACENS AND THE FOUNDATION OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE, www.cristoraul.org/ENGLISH/readinghall/THIRDMILLENNIUMLIBRARY/THE-RISE-OF-THE-SARACENS-AND-THE-FOUNDATION-OF-THE-WESTERN-EMPIRE/THE-RISE-OF-THE-SARACENS-AND-THE-FOUNDATION-OF-THE-WESTERN-EMPIRE.html. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.

4- “Saracen Empire at Its Greatest Extent.” FCIT, etc.usf.edu/maps/pages/11600/11657/11657.htm. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.

5- Medievalists. Medieval Race and the Image of the “Saracens.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 July 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZOy97gS0A4&t=1311s. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.

6- Passionblogakl, sites.psu.edu/passionblogakl/2017/02/10/things-i-shouldve-said-about-religion/. Accessed 7 Sept. 2023.