Knowledge and Social Practice in Medieval Damascus, 1190-1350 / Michael Chamberlain.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Chamberlain, Michael, 1953-

Series:

Cambridge books online.

Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Learning and scholarship--History--Medieval, 500-1500.

Learning and scholarship.

History.

Elite (Social sciences)--Syria--Damascus--History.

Elite (Social sciences).

Damascus (Syria)--Politics and government.

Damascus (Syria).

Damascus (Syria)--Intellectual life.

Syria--Damascus.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (216 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1995.

System Details:

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

text file

PDF

Summary:

Michael Chamberlain focuses on medieval Damascus to develop a new approach to the relationship between the society and culture of the Middle East. The author argues that historians have long imposed European strictures onto societies to which they were alien. Western concepts of legitimate order were inappropriate to medieval Muslim society where social advancement was dependent upon the production of knowledge and religious patronage, and it was the household, rather than the state agency or the corporation, that held political and social power. An interesting parallel is drawn between the learned elite and the warriors of Damascus who, through similar strategies, acquired status and power and passed them on in their households. By examining material from the Latin West, Sung China, and the Sinicized empires of Inner Asia, the author addresses the nature of political power in the period and places the Middle East within the context of medieval Eurasia.

Notes:

Title from publishers bibliographic system (viewed on 02 Mar 2012).

Other Format:

Print version:

ISBN:

9780511563492

9780521454063

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.