Winner of the 2022 Dan David Prize and the 2023 Medieval Academy of America Monica H. Green Prize, this work explores the lives of the Sons of Sasan in Middle Eastern cities from the mid-8th century. These individuals, who later adopted the name Ghuraba' (Strangers) by the late 1200s, engaged in various activities such as begging, animal training, and selling medicinal plants, capturing the interest of Arab writers and being featured in literary works like the Thousand and One Nights. Richardson employs diverse sources to delve into the Ghuraba's tribal organization, professional roles, and their unique language, Sin. The book also highlights the urban homes, neighborhoods, and cemeteries they established, showcasing a rich literary culture and astrological tradition that contributed significantly to medieval society. Notably, the Ghuraba' pioneered blockprinting of textual amulets by the 10th century, predating the arrival of paper printing in central Europe. This innovation may have been carried into the Holy Roman Empire by Roma tribes migrating from Ottoman territories in the 1410s, further emphasizing the cultural impact of these communities.
