CHAPTER XXIII

INFLUENCE OF THE MOORS ON EUROPE THROUGH THE EMPIRE OF FREDERICK II. AND THE STATES OF SOUTHERN FRANCE

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Permanence of Arab Ideas in the South of Europe--Social Corruption--Revolts against the Papacy--Antagonism of the Holy See and the German Empire--Consolidation of the Papal Power under Innocent III.--Civilizing Agencies in Sicily--Influence of the Normans as Heirs of the Arabs--Birth of Frederick II.--Character of Innocent III.--Genius of the Emperor--His Reforms--System of Jurisprudence--Commerce--Legislation--The University of Naples--The Medical School of Salerno--Character of Frederick--His Court--The South of France--Its Early Civilization--Cosmopolitan Character of its Population--Its Wealth, Intelligence, and Profligacy--Debased Condition of the Clergy--The University of Montpellier--The Troubadours--The Albigenses--Their Defiance of Rome--A Crusade is preached against Them--They are annihilated--Cruelty of the Crusaders--Parallel between the Civilization of Sicily and Languedoc--Survival of the Philosophical Principles and Opinions of the Thirteenth Century 1