A Philosophical History: Unity and Diversity in Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada’s Historia de rebus Hispanie
Xenia Bonch-Bruevich
Historia de rebus Hispanie (1243) is a search for Spain’s unity amid diversity of political, ethnic, and religious impetus. Rodrigo Jiménez Rada’s interpretation historical calling examined in light Neoplatonic philosophical thought, developed by Spanish Muslims, Jews, Christians between the twelfth thirteenth centuries diffused through translating activities carried out Toledo. Averroës, Ibn Gabirol, Jehuda Halevi, Dominicus Gundissalinus shared view that all objects visible world are manifestations single Creator, one could arrive at understanding God studying multiple creation. By material signs past, particular landmarks left invading Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Frankish civilizations, Rada establishes contrast multiplicity nations had successively sought to dominate Iberian peninsula everlasting connection its true origin purpose. The framework used define role universal history as place where Creator find home under patronage Castilian monarchy.
Viator