Antiquity through the Islamic world (the Dahrı̄s again play a role, being the ones who first suggested that the entire idea of prophet-hood was false, as also discussed in Chapter… Click to show full abstract
Antiquity through the Islamic world (the Dahrı̄s again play a role, being the ones who first suggested that the entire idea of prophet-hood was false, as also discussed in Chapter 8, What are Prophets For? The Social Utility of Religion in Medieval Islamic Thought) to Europe, where Pope Gregory IX charged the emperor Fredrick II with the idea in 1239. The emphasis of her inquiry is on oral transmission — the way in which ideas were shared not just in writing but by word of mouth, because people inhabited the same physical space. Drawing a clear picture for how connected the world has always been was one of Crone’s great strengths, and the volume puts a light on some of the lesser known connections, through different periods and cultures.
               
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