Benjamin of Tudela: Baghdad vs Constantinople

Benjamin of Tudela was a Spanish rabbi who travelled throughout Europe, north Africa, and southwest Asia. He is qualified to discuss these cities due to his extensive travel and exposure to different areas. He is presented as being knowledgable in religion and would most likely have an educational background. In his descriptions of the cities he clearly is unbiased. Because he is from Spain, he would have no natural bias towards Baghdad or Constantinople. Also, he speaks highly of both cities. Both cities are depicted as having magnificent wealth and benevolent leaders. The Hippodrome of the emperor is a place for entertainment in Constantinople and the Dar-al-Maristan in Baghdad houses the insane. Benjamin highlights the care given by the leaders of both cities.