Rodrigo Ximenez De RADA’s Minor Histories
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY PRESS
2026
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This work provides the first complete English translation of works by Toledan archbishop Rodrigo Ximénez de Rada (1170-1247 CE), whose ‘Minor Histories’ are sequels to his larger ‘Gothic History’ and thus round off his grand history of Spain project that he began at the request of King Ferdinand III. The ‘Minor Histories’ include Rodrigo’s ‘History of the Arabs’ that can be considered the first surviving Western monograph focused on Arab and Islamic history and thus occupies a unique position in the medieval Latin corpus of writings. In addition to the translation, this book provides a thorough and accessible introduction to the life and works of Rodrigo, making sense of the context in which he wrote and his historical method. The translations are thoroughly annotated including cross-references to other Latin and Arabic sources for comparison.
