"Aesthe'cs" and "Middle Ages" denote indefinite fields of research. There is no univocal defini'on of "aesthe'cs" and, at the same 'me, the concept of "Middle Ages" results from a historiographical construct that encompasses authors from different backgrounds, cultures, and historical contexts. S'll there are valid reasons to maintain that medieval thought is deeply grounded in an aesthe'c view of reality. Despite their diverse cultural backgrounds and geographical origins, authors throughout the extended medieval period have two common elements: they acknowledge the key role of ancient philosophy and inhabit socie'es where monotheis'c faith holds central importance. The study of "beauty" as a core concern of aesthe'c studies typifies how these two factors converged and shaped medieval thinking. Although a brief introduc'on cannot comprehensively jus'fy this asser'on, the following pages sketch the contours that delimit the essays collected in the monographic sec'on of the volume.