Muslim Fortresses in the Levant

Muslim Fortresses in the Levant

Author: Kate Raphael

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2010-09-13

Total Pages: 284

ISBN-13: 1136925260

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

During much of the twelfth century the Crusaders dominated the military scene in the Levant. The unification of Egypt and Syria by Saladin gradually changed the balance of power, which slowly begun to tilt in favour of the Muslims. This book examines the development and role of Muslim fortresses in the Levant at the time of the Crusaders and the Mongol invasion, situating the study within a broad historical, political and military context. Exploring the unification of Egypt with a large part of Syria and its effect on the balance of power in the region, Raphael gives a historical overview of the resulting military strategies and construction of fortresses. A detailed architectural analysis is based on a survey of four Ayyubid and eight Mamluk fortresses situated in what are today the modern states of Jordan, Israel, Southern Turkey and Egypt (the Sinai Peninsula). The author then explores the connection between strongholds or military architecture, and the development of siege warfare and technology, and examines the influence of architecture and methods of rule on the concept of defence and the development of fortifications. Drawing upon excavation reports, field surveys and contemporary Arabic sources, the book provides the Arabic architectural terminology and touches on the difficulties of reading the sources. Detailed maps of the fortresses in the region, the Mongol invasion routs, plans of sites and photographs assist the reader throughout the book, providing an important addition to existing literature in the areas of Medieval Archaeology, Medieval military history and Middle Eastern studies.


Book Synopsis Muslim Fortresses in the Levant by : Kate Raphael

Download or read book Muslim Fortresses in the Levant written by Kate Raphael and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2010-09-13 with total page 284 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During much of the twelfth century the Crusaders dominated the military scene in the Levant. The unification of Egypt and Syria by Saladin gradually changed the balance of power, which slowly begun to tilt in favour of the Muslims. This book examines the development and role of Muslim fortresses in the Levant at the time of the Crusaders and the Mongol invasion, situating the study within a broad historical, political and military context. Exploring the unification of Egypt with a large part of Syria and its effect on the balance of power in the region, Raphael gives a historical overview of the resulting military strategies and construction of fortresses. A detailed architectural analysis is based on a survey of four Ayyubid and eight Mamluk fortresses situated in what are today the modern states of Jordan, Israel, Southern Turkey and Egypt (the Sinai Peninsula). The author then explores the connection between strongholds or military architecture, and the development of siege warfare and technology, and examines the influence of architecture and methods of rule on the concept of defence and the development of fortifications. Drawing upon excavation reports, field surveys and contemporary Arabic sources, the book provides the Arabic architectural terminology and touches on the difficulties of reading the sources. Detailed maps of the fortresses in the region, the Mongol invasion routs, plans of sites and photographs assist the reader throughout the book, providing an important addition to existing literature in the areas of Medieval Archaeology, Medieval military history and Middle Eastern studies.


The Levant

The Levant

Author: William W. Harris

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781558762657

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Harris (political science, U. of Otago, New Zealand) outlines the history of the eastern Mediterranean littoral now occupied by Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. After setting out its strategic geography, he narrates the periods of Rome, Islam, Byzantium, crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans. Then he discusses the 20th century. He includes a glossary without pronunciation guides. Only names are indexed. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).


Book Synopsis The Levant by : William W. Harris

Download or read book The Levant written by William W. Harris and published by . This book was released on 2003 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Harris (political science, U. of Otago, New Zealand) outlines the history of the eastern Mediterranean littoral now occupied by Israel, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. After setting out its strategic geography, he narrates the periods of Rome, Islam, Byzantium, crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans. Then he discusses the 20th century. He includes a glossary without pronunciation guides. Only names are indexed. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).


A View of the Levant

A View of the Levant

Author: Charles Perry

Publisher:

Published: 1743

Total Pages: 620

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis A View of the Levant by : Charles Perry

Download or read book A View of the Levant written by Charles Perry and published by . This book was released on 1743 with total page 620 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


In the Levant

In the Levant

Author: Charles Dudley Warner

Publisher:

Published: 1904

Total Pages: 694

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis In the Levant by : Charles Dudley Warner

Download or read book In the Levant written by Charles Dudley Warner and published by . This book was released on 1904 with total page 694 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Fief of Tibnin (Toron) and Its Castle in the Age of the Crusades AD (1105-1266 AH 498- 664)

The Fief of Tibnin (Toron) and Its Castle in the Age of the Crusades AD (1105-1266 AH 498- 664)

Author: Ahmed Sheir

Publisher:

Published: 2015-01-30

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 9783656869450

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Master's Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject History - World History - Early and Ancient History, University of Gottingen (History Department), course: History of the Crusades and the relation between the East and West, language: English, comment: I would like to thank a lot Prof. Aly al- Sayed, Damnhour University, Egypt. and Prof. Dr. Frank Rexroth, Gottingen University, Germany, for their help, patience, encouragement throughout all the stage of researching and writing this work. I could not have been written this work without their advices, instructions, comments and extensive help., abstract: The Crusade movement is one of the most important occurrences of medieval history. It took place throughout two centuries in the Levant and affected both Muslims and Crusaders and in turn changed the way in which West and East related to one another. To understand the history of the Crusades, it is important to study not only the military aspects but also the socio-economic and political relationships. When the Crusaders took control of the Holy Land and many Islamic cities in the Levant, they transferred their feudal European system there. They established four main fiefdoms or lordships, Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch and Tripoli. In addition, there were another twelve secondary fiefdoms, of which Tibn n was one. This work is divided into five chapters. An introduction to outline the importance and objectives of the study, and also discusses its primary and second sources as well as the previous studies in this field. The second chapter is a study of the society of Tibn n, the architecture of the castle of Tibn n and its importance for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It illustrates the nature of the relations between the Crusader and Muslim inhabitants in Tibn n and the economic and agricultural importance of lands of Tibn n in the age of the Crusades. The third chapter deals with the issues of Crusader rule in Tibn n, from its origins and evolution to the political role of


Book Synopsis The Fief of Tibnin (Toron) and Its Castle in the Age of the Crusades AD (1105-1266 AH 498- 664) by : Ahmed Sheir

Download or read book The Fief of Tibnin (Toron) and Its Castle in the Age of the Crusades AD (1105-1266 AH 498- 664) written by Ahmed Sheir and published by . This book was released on 2015-01-30 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Master's Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject History - World History - Early and Ancient History, University of Gottingen (History Department), course: History of the Crusades and the relation between the East and West, language: English, comment: I would like to thank a lot Prof. Aly al- Sayed, Damnhour University, Egypt. and Prof. Dr. Frank Rexroth, Gottingen University, Germany, for their help, patience, encouragement throughout all the stage of researching and writing this work. I could not have been written this work without their advices, instructions, comments and extensive help., abstract: The Crusade movement is one of the most important occurrences of medieval history. It took place throughout two centuries in the Levant and affected both Muslims and Crusaders and in turn changed the way in which West and East related to one another. To understand the history of the Crusades, it is important to study not only the military aspects but also the socio-economic and political relationships. When the Crusaders took control of the Holy Land and many Islamic cities in the Levant, they transferred their feudal European system there. They established four main fiefdoms or lordships, Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch and Tripoli. In addition, there were another twelve secondary fiefdoms, of which Tibn n was one. This work is divided into five chapters. An introduction to outline the importance and objectives of the study, and also discusses its primary and second sources as well as the previous studies in this field. The second chapter is a study of the society of Tibn n, the architecture of the castle of Tibn n and its importance for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. It illustrates the nature of the relations between the Crusader and Muslim inhabitants in Tibn n and the economic and agricultural importance of lands of Tibn n in the age of the Crusades. The third chapter deals with the issues of Crusader rule in Tibn n, from its origins and evolution to the political role of


Military Strategy in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

Military Strategy in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

Author: Daniel R. Moy

Publisher:

Published: 1999-02-01

Total Pages: 161

ISBN-13: 9781423547327

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Caesarea was a fortified city along the coast of Palestine, conquered and held by the Crusaders from 1101 to 1265. This study takes the reader to the archaeological remains of the site and provides a thorough examination of the defensive structures constructed throughout the history of the Crusader period. Combining both Christian and Muslim primary source materials with the archaeological evidence, the author reconstructs the history of the fortress and develops the context of the social, political, economic, and military issues shaping the architectural features present at Caesarea. Moving from specific observation of the case study to general analysis of overall Crusader military strategy, the author lays the foundation for conclusions concerning the vital importance of fortifications in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Introducing the discussion with a brief historiographical essay, the author reveals his approval of recent strides in fortification studies to argue for the centrality of the garrison in medieval warfare. His thesis demonstrates that fortresses like Caesarea served both essential military and non-military functions, enabling the Franks to persist in their occupation of the Latin Kingdom. As siege warfare dominated the later half of Crusader period, the fortress played an increasingly significant role in the Franks' attempt to hold territory in the Levant. Outnumbered and overwhelmed by the surrounding Muslim powers, Frankish reliance on fortifications revealed the absence of any true military strategy capable of sustaining European sovereignty in Palestine. It represented the Crusaders' struggle to use walls of stone to survive in a land they tried to rule but could never adequately control.


Book Synopsis Military Strategy in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem by : Daniel R. Moy

Download or read book Military Strategy in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem written by Daniel R. Moy and published by . This book was released on 1999-02-01 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Caesarea was a fortified city along the coast of Palestine, conquered and held by the Crusaders from 1101 to 1265. This study takes the reader to the archaeological remains of the site and provides a thorough examination of the defensive structures constructed throughout the history of the Crusader period. Combining both Christian and Muslim primary source materials with the archaeological evidence, the author reconstructs the history of the fortress and develops the context of the social, political, economic, and military issues shaping the architectural features present at Caesarea. Moving from specific observation of the case study to general analysis of overall Crusader military strategy, the author lays the foundation for conclusions concerning the vital importance of fortifications in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Introducing the discussion with a brief historiographical essay, the author reveals his approval of recent strides in fortification studies to argue for the centrality of the garrison in medieval warfare. His thesis demonstrates that fortresses like Caesarea served both essential military and non-military functions, enabling the Franks to persist in their occupation of the Latin Kingdom. As siege warfare dominated the later half of Crusader period, the fortress played an increasingly significant role in the Franks' attempt to hold territory in the Levant. Outnumbered and overwhelmed by the surrounding Muslim powers, Frankish reliance on fortifications revealed the absence of any true military strategy capable of sustaining European sovereignty in Palestine. It represented the Crusaders' struggle to use walls of stone to survive in a land they tried to rule but could never adequately control.


Crusader Castles and Modern Histories

Crusader Castles and Modern Histories

Author: Ronnie Ellenblum

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2007-01-04

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1139462555

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

For the last 150 years the historiography of the Crusades has been dominated by nationalist and colonialist discourses in Europe and the Levant. These modern histories have interpreted the Crusades in terms of dichotomous camps, Frankish and Muslim. In this revisionist study, Ronnie Ellenblum presents an interpretation of Crusader historiography that instead defines military and architectural relations between the Franks, local Christians, Muslims and Turks in terms of continuous dialogue and mutual influence. Through close analysis of siege tactics, defensive strategies and the structure and distribution of Crusader castles, Ellenblum relates patterns of crusader settlement to their environment and demonstrates the influence of opposing cultures on tactics and fortifications. He argues that fortifications were often built according to economic and geographic considerations rather than for strategic reasons or to protect illusory 'frontiers', and that Crusader castles are the most evident expression of a cultural dialogue between east and west.


Book Synopsis Crusader Castles and Modern Histories by : Ronnie Ellenblum

Download or read book Crusader Castles and Modern Histories written by Ronnie Ellenblum and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2007-01-04 with total page 279 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For the last 150 years the historiography of the Crusades has been dominated by nationalist and colonialist discourses in Europe and the Levant. These modern histories have interpreted the Crusades in terms of dichotomous camps, Frankish and Muslim. In this revisionist study, Ronnie Ellenblum presents an interpretation of Crusader historiography that instead defines military and architectural relations between the Franks, local Christians, Muslims and Turks in terms of continuous dialogue and mutual influence. Through close analysis of siege tactics, defensive strategies and the structure and distribution of Crusader castles, Ellenblum relates patterns of crusader settlement to their environment and demonstrates the influence of opposing cultures on tactics and fortifications. He argues that fortifications were often built according to economic and geographic considerations rather than for strategic reasons or to protect illusory 'frontiers', and that Crusader castles are the most evident expression of a cultural dialogue between east and west.


Crusader Castles

Crusader Castles

Author: Brian Hoggard

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781282221055

DOWNLOAD EBOOK


Book Synopsis Crusader Castles by : Brian Hoggard

Download or read book Crusader Castles written by Brian Hoggard and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


The Levant

The Levant

Author: Olivier Binst

Publisher: Konemann

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 9783829004954

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

" ... about the archaeology of the Levant, which here means more specifically the region east of the Mediterranean between Turkey in the north and Egypt in the west ... the historical and once greater Syria ..."--Page 7.


Book Synopsis The Levant by : Olivier Binst

Download or read book The Levant written by Olivier Binst and published by Konemann. This book was released on 2000 with total page 319 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: " ... about the archaeology of the Levant, which here means more specifically the region east of the Mediterranean between Turkey in the north and Egypt in the west ... the historical and once greater Syria ..."--Page 7.


Climate and Political Climate

Climate and Political Climate

Author: Sarah Kate Raphael

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 231

ISBN-13: 9004216561

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The twelfth and thirteenth centuries in the Levant saw a substantial rise in the number of droughts. This coincided with some of the most violent tectonic activity the region had witnessed. Nature, however, could conjure other powerful disasters: swarms of locusts, armies of mice, scorching winds and thick dust storms. The data for this research is drawn from contemporary Arabic and Latin sources. The main aim is to try and determine the long and short-term repercussions of environmental, disasters on the political, military and social affairs in the Levant during the Crusader, Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. Did environmental disasters spur o binder conflict? This research: examines the most destructive disasters and gradual climate chances within broader historical context. Book jacket.


Book Synopsis Climate and Political Climate by : Sarah Kate Raphael

Download or read book Climate and Political Climate written by Sarah Kate Raphael and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2013 with total page 231 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The twelfth and thirteenth centuries in the Levant saw a substantial rise in the number of droughts. This coincided with some of the most violent tectonic activity the region had witnessed. Nature, however, could conjure other powerful disasters: swarms of locusts, armies of mice, scorching winds and thick dust storms. The data for this research is drawn from contemporary Arabic and Latin sources. The main aim is to try and determine the long and short-term repercussions of environmental, disasters on the political, military and social affairs in the Levant during the Crusader, Ayyubid and Mamluk periods. Did environmental disasters spur o binder conflict? This research: examines the most destructive disasters and gradual climate chances within broader historical context. Book jacket.