The course deals with the various points of contact and processes of intercultural dialogue in the Eastern Mediterranean. Aspects such as the spread of Islam from the 7th century onwards and the respective reactions to it caused on the Christian side will be dealt with. Furthermore, we will deal with Latin-Byzantine relations up to the epoch year 1204 (IV Crusade and sacking of Constantinople by the Latins) by looking at their contacts in intellectual, cultural and theological fields. We will read relevant historiographical, apologetic and theological sources and work out commonalities and differences in the consideration of 'the other'. close