The making of a Syrian identity : intellectuals and merchants in nineteenth century Beirut / Fruma Zachs.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zachs, Fruma.

Series:

Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East and Asia ; 98.

Social, Economic and Political Studies of the Middle East and Asia ; 98

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Syrians--Lebanon--Beirut.

Syrians.

National characteristics, Syrian.

Beirut (Lebanon)--Intellectual life--19th century.

Beirut (Lebanon).

Beirut (Lebanon)--History--19th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (295 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston, MA : Brill, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Exploring the origins and development of the Syrian identity, during the 18th and 19th centuries, through the role of Christian Arab intellectuals and merchants, Ottomans and American missionaries, this volume examines its background, stages of evolution, and components. It shows that the contribution of these Christian Arabs, despite their relatively small number, lies in the processes they set in motion, being the first to promote territorial concepts along with a secular interpretation of Arab culture. This Syrian identity constitutes an innovative case study in the broader discipline of proto-national identity and the study of the development of local identities in Middle Eastern countries. It is also a vital basis for research of 20th century Syrian nationalism.

Contents:

List of Illustrations; Preface; Note on Transliteration; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; Chapter One. First Notions of a ""Syrian Vision"": The Period of Amir Bashir II; Chapter Two. Beirut and the Emergence of a ""Syrian Identity"": Christian Arabs as Agents of Change; Chapter Three. Re-enforcing an Identity: The Tan*imat Reforms; Chapter Four. Revisiting the American Presbyterian Missionaries in Nineteenth Century Syria; Chapter Five. Narrating an Identity: New Genres, New Identity (1858-1881); Epilogue

Appendix I: Biographies of Leading Families and Individuals from the Syrian Middle StratumAppendix II: The Various Meanings and Definitions of the Name ""Syria""; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [253]-264) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-280-86736-1

9786610867363

90-474-0667-2

1-4337-0669-5

OCLC:

191953387

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047406679 DOI