Америка в прошлом и настоящем. Часть I. Горчакова Е.П - 16 стр.

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16
THE CRUSADES
13.
Finally, war brought Western Europe and the Islamic Empire together.
Between 1096 and 1291, in a series of military expeditions called the Crusades,
Christian armies traveled south to defend Constantinople (Istanbul) from attacks by
Islamic Turks. The Christians also hoped to win new land from their Islamic
enemies. Although little land was won, the Christians discovered a world filled with
Oriental treasures. They also admired the furniture, carpets, pottery, and painting of
the Muslim craftsmen. Most especially, they envied the ready
1
supply of spices they
found. Spices, at that time, were the greatest treasure of all. Without spices, food
could not be preserved. It would rapidly
2
spoil. Through the long winter months
of Northern Europe, spices kept whole families and towns from starvation
3
. There
was only a limited supply of this treasure in Europe. But the Orient supplied the
Islamic world with great quantities and a delicious variety
4
.
14. Of course, the Europeans wanted to begin trading with the Far East. But
the Muslims were in control of the southern and eastern Mediterranean. All land
and sea trade with the Orient had to pass through the Islamic Empire. And the
Muslim merchants did not want to lose this powerful monopoly
5
. They agreed to
trade with the West, but under controlled conditions. European traders had to buy
only from Italian merchants. And the Italians could only buy from Muslim traders,
not from the Far East directly.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE RENAISSANCE
15.
Little by little, in spite of Islamic control, European trade increased. By
the fifteenth century, a new merchant class was growing in Europe. There were
ambitious businessmen in Italy, France, England, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.
They made fortunes buying and selling the spices and luxuries
6
everyone wanted.
They traded at important geographical crossroads, which quickly developed into
busy towns. And since they did not want warfare to disturb their trade, the new
merchants supported their kings. In this way, Europe's central governments
became stronger.
16. To encourage the merchant class, there was a new way of thinking, a
new energy. Increased contact with the Islamic Empire had brought many lost
writings of ancient Greece and Rome to western scholars. Naturally, the ancient
thinkers inspired these new readers. “Why shouldn't we imitate our wise
7
ancestors,” the readers wondered. “We can learn about history, geography,
science and literature from them. Perhaps our age can become as great as theirs.
Perhaps we can even make our own contribution”.
1
ready: easily available
2
rapidly: quickly
3
starvation: terrible hunger
4
variety: many different kinds
5
monopoly: complete commercial control
6
luxuries: fancy goods not necessary for survival
7
wise: intelligent 
THE CRUSADES
13. Finally, war brought Western Europe and the Islamic Empire together.
Between 1096 and 1291, in a series of military expeditions called the Crusades,
Christian armies traveled south to defend Constantinople (Istanbul) from attacks by
Islamic Turks. The Christians also hoped to win new land from their Islamic
enemies. Although little land was won, the Christians discovered a world filled with
Oriental treasures. They also admired the furniture, carpets, pottery, and painting of
the Muslim craftsmen. Most especially, they envied the ready 1 supply of spices they
found. Spices, at that time, were the greatest treasure of all. Without spices, food
could not be preserved. It would rapidly2 spoil. Through the long winter months
of Northern Europe, spices kept whole families and towns from starvation3. There
was only a limited supply of this treasure in Europe. But the Orient supplied the
Islamic world with great quantities and a delicious variety4.
14. Of course, the Europeans wanted to begin trading with the Far East. But
the Muslims were in control of the southern and eastern Mediterranean. All land
and sea trade with the Orient had to pass through the Islamic Empire. And the
Muslim merchants did not want to lose this powerful monopoly5. They agreed to
trade with the West, but under controlled conditions. European traders had to buy
only from Italian merchants. And the Italians could only buy from Muslim traders,
not from the Far East directly.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE RENAISSANCE
15. Little by little, in spite of Islamic control, European trade increased. By
the fifteenth century, a new merchant class was growing in Europe. There were
ambitious businessmen in Italy, France, England, Germany, Portugal, and Spain.
They made fortunes buying and selling the spices and luxuries6 everyone wanted.
They traded at important geographical crossroads, which quickly developed into
busy towns. And since they did not want warfare to disturb their trade, the new
merchants supported their kings. In this way, Europe's central governments
became stronger.
16. To encourage the merchant class, there was a new way of thinking, a
new energy. Increased contact with the Islamic Empire had brought many lost
writings of ancient Greece and Rome to western scholars. Naturally, the ancient
thinkers inspired these new readers. “Why shouldn't we imitate our wise7
ancestors,” the readers wondered. “We can learn about history, geography,
science and literature from them. Perhaps our age can become as great as theirs.
Perhaps we can even make our own contribution”.
1
  ready: easily available
2
  rapidly: quickly
3
  starvation: terrible hunger
4
  variety: many different kinds
5
  monopoly: complete commercial control
6
  luxuries: fancy goods not necessary for survival
7
  wise: intelligent

                                                     16

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