At the close of the Middle Ages, a community of Ethiopian pilgrims settled in Rome, particularly around Santo Stefano Maggiore, forming a unique presence among the city's diverse populations. This distinct Ethiopian Orthodox community was not only a refuge for pilgrims but also integrated into the wider Roman cultural and religious milieu, showcasing the interplay between different faiths in a historical context that demands more attention.
The records of Ethiopian pilgrims reveal a tapestry of interactions with the Roman Catholic Church, highlighting both cooperation and tension. By thriving 'by the tombs of Peter and Paul,' this community carved out a significant space within Rome's religious landscape. Their presence indicates a rich vein of cross-cultural exchange during a time when religious identities were often rigid, thus reshaping our understanding of faith and pilgrim experiences in sixteenth-century Europe.
#ethiopian-pilgrims #renaissance-rome #cross-cultural-relations #religious-history #early-modern-christianity
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