Saracen

Crusade-era adversary

Saracen was a term used by medieval Europeans for Arabs and Muslims generally, especially during the Crusades.

A Saracen army might defend Jerusalem; Saracen architecture influenced European design.

The word carried hostile overtones—infidel enemies of Christendom—though it now appears mainly in historical contexts: The Crusaders clashed with Saracen forces outside the city walls.

crusades

crusade

Zealous effort for change

crusaderZealous advocate for change
Holy LandSacred ground, three faiths
JerusalemTriply sacred ancient capital

infidel · siege · Saladin · Richard · Lionheart · Outremer · Antioch · Acre · pilgrimage · holy war

orientalism

exotic

Strikingly unusual, foreign-seeming

OrientEastern regions collectively
MoorishOf medieval Iberian Muslims
arabesqueFlowing ornamental design

turban · scimitar · crescent · minaret · spice · silk · damask · romance · legend · Scheherazade

medieval

knight

Honored mounted soldier

chivalryKnightly code of honor
feudalOf tiered landownership
MoorNorthwest African Muslim people

medieval · heraldry · chronicle · armor · sword · shield · banner · castle · siege engine · crossbow

Opposites

religious-military identity in the crusades

SaracenChristian knight

Medieval holy warrior

Frank · knight · Latin · Christian soldier · Christian

geographic-cultural origin

SaracenEuropean

From that continent

Frank · Christian · Latin · Norman · Frenchman

medieval european perspective (self vs. other)

SaracenChristian

Adherent of the gospel

believer · faithful · Latin · baptized

Family

Saracens

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G