In the early Middle Ages there was a strong gap between Christianity in Europe and Islam in the Middle East. This division affected trade between the two religions who were mostly unwilling to trade with each other. Seeking a way to acquire the luxuries they desired, many Christians turned to Jewish merchants who were in an advantageous position to profit from the division between Christians and Muslims (Turner 96). Throughout the Middle Ages, the Jewish people became major participants in global trade with many trade routes, while also facing persecution and attempting to keep religious laws and practices intact. Crucial parts of the success of the Jewish traders were their extensive connections with the East. Early medieval Europe relied on Jewish and Byzantine traders for spices and other indulgences because of these contacts in China, India, and the Middle East (Turner 90). Many cities dominated by Jewish and Byzantine merchants were located on the coast such as Trebizond in Turkey and Barcelona in Spain, but some routes reached as far inland as Paris, Lyon and Orléans in central France (...