The African Prester John and the Birth of Ethiopian-European Relations, 1402-1555

In the 15th century, Ethiopian travelers to Renaissance Italy inaugurated an era of reciprocal discovery between Africa's ancient Christian empire and the Catholic societies of southern Europe. This study relates the dramatic story of this encounter, of fulfilled prophecies, imaginary kings, deaths at sea, and the last crusade. Matteo Salvadore tells a two hundred years story of reciprocal acceptance and transcultural collaboration as it unfolded throughout the Mediterranean and Red Sea.