Anti-Judaism and Antisemitism, Usury, and Other Stereotypes since the Middle Ages
The Freedom Center and Spring 2022 FC Talks series presents Albrecht Classen (University of Arizona).
Abstract
Stereotypes, prejudice, and antisemitism go hand in hand. But we have to be careful in assessing when the common narratives about Jews emerged and spread their toxicity. Many of the major arguments/claims against Jews emerged in the high and late Middle Ages, but those were constructed and then achieved their desired goal at specific time and in response to specific events. This talk will examine the curious history of the usury charge, one of the really poisonous and evil ones against Jews, and frame it with many insights into the available art-historical and literary evidence.
Event Contacts
Kaveh Pourvand
kpourvand@email.arizona.edu