Knowledge and social practice in medieval Damascus, 1190-1350 / Michael Chamberlain.
Material type: TextPublication details: Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2002. Description: 215 pages : maps ; 23 cmContent type: text Media type: unmediated Carrier type: volumeISBN: 0521525942; 9780521525947Subject(s): 500-1500 | Learning and scholarship -- History -- Medieval, 500-1500 | Elite (Social sciences) -- Syria -- Damascus -- History | Social history -- Medieval, 500-1500 | Savoir et erudition -- Histoire -- 500-1500 (Moyen Age) | Elite (Sciences sociales) -- Syrie -- Damas -- Histoire | Histoire sociale -- 500-1500 (Moyen Age) | Elite (Social sciences) | Intellectual life | Learning and scholarship -- Medieval | Politics and government | Social history -- Medieval | Damascus (Syria) -- Politics and government | Damascus (Syria) -- Intellectual life | Syria -- DamascusGenre/Form: History.DDC classification: 956.914402 LOC classification: DS99.D3 | C48 2002Summary: 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 corporation, that held political and social power. A 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.Item type | Current library | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Books | The BIAA David H. French Library Shelf 61 - Reading Room | H2m CHAMB 26797 | Not for loan | BOOKS-000000026313 |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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 corporation, that held political and social power. A 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.