Mediterranean in History

Abulafia, David, editor. Texts by David Abulafia, Oliver Rackham, Marlene Suano, Mario Torelli, Geoffrey Rickman, John Pryor, Michel Balard, Molly Greene, Jeremy Black

ISBN 10: 0892367253 / ISBN 13: 9780892367252

Edité par J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Thames & Hudson, 2003

A propos de cet article

4to, 320 pp., 161 color and 147 b/w illus. Very light edgewear to jacket only.

N° de réf. du vendeur 17578

Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Mediterranean in History
• Éditeur: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles / Thames & Hudson
• Date de parution: 2003
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN à 10 chiffres: 0892367253
• ISBN à 13 chiffres: 9780892367252
• Reliure: Cloth
• Édition: First edition.
• État de l'article: Fine
• État de la jaquette: Fine
• Catalogues du vendeur:
  • History

A propos de ce titre

Synopsis

Contained in this history of the "Great Sea" are the stories of the birth of Western Civilization, the clash of warring faiths, and the rivalries of empires.

David Abulafia leads a team of eight distinguished historians in an exploration of the great facts, themes and epochs of this region's history: the physical setting; the rivalry between Carthaginians, Greeks, and Etruscans for control of the sea routes; unification under Rome and the subsequent break up into Western Christendom, Byzantium, and Islam; the Crusades; commerce in medieval times; the Ottoman resurgence; the rivalry of European powers from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries; and the globalization of the region in the last century.

The book departs from the traditional view of Mediterranean history, which placed emphasis on the overwhelming influences of physical geography on the molding of the region's civilizations. Instead, this new interpretation regards that physical context as a staging ground for decisive action, and at center stage are human catalysts at all levels of society-whether great kings and emperors, the sailors of medieval Amalfi, or the Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain in 1492. The authors do more than simply catalogue the societies that developed in the region, but also describe how these groups interacted with one another across the sea, enjoying commercial and political ties as well as sharing ideas and religious beliefs.

This richly illustrated book offers contemporary historical writing at its best and is sure to engage specialists, students, and general readers alike.

Présentation de l'éditeur

For over four thousand years the Mediterranean was the centre of Western civilization. Geographically, it is a whole world in miniature, an inland sea whose shores encompass every type of terrain and climate. Historically, it has been the meeting-place of the cultures of Europe, Asia and Africa, the battleground of races and nations and the focus of three great religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. David Abulafia, doyen of Mediterranean scholars, has brought together a team of leading specialists from many countries to tell this enthralling and complex story as a connected narrative: from the physical setting, the prehistoric traders and the struggle between Phoenicians, Greeks and Etruscans ending in Roman victory, to the post-Roman nations, the Christian and Islamic powers, domination by England and France, and finally the twentieth century, divided between war and mass tourism. This study covers all of recorded history, incorporating recent research and tools ranging from linguistics to underwater archaeology, accompanied by spectacular illustrations. Here is the only complete and up-to-date overview of one of the great themes of world history.