The project "History of European Civilization" covers the period from ancient times to the twentieth century and is divided into three main blocks: Antiquity: Rome, Greece, the Middle East; Middle Ages: Early Middle Ages, High Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages, XV century; Modernity: XVI-XX centuries. In creating this extraordinary project, its compiler, the eminent Italian philosopher, literary critic, and writer Umberto Eco (1932-2016), was guided by a multidisciplinary principle: History, Philosophy, Mythology and Religion, Fine Arts, Literature, Science, and Technology. Articles to the sections are written by leading Italian experts in each field. Volume "The Middle Ages. Locks. Merchants. Poets "covers the period from 1200 to 1400 - a time commonly referred to as the Late Middle Ages. Thanks to the resumption of expansion, which is pushed by the ideology of the Crusades, the West is conquering the East. Cities thrive - architecture, art, literature reflect a fierce desire for renewal and openness. However, the initial impetus for expansion is replaced by conflict, famine, the Hundred Years' War, the plague and peasant uprisings drowned in blood. Umberto Eco, in collaboration with the most famous experts, continues his amazing journey through the Middle Ages, exploring society, art, history, literature, music, philosophy, science in one of the most difficult and exciting periods of European civilization. The publication is supplemented by rich illustrative material - world-famous masterpieces, first editions from many museums around the world and others.
