Knowledge and social practice in medieval Damascus, 1190-1350 by Chamberlain, Michael, 1953- instant download

Knowledge and social practice in medieval Damascus, 1190-1350 by Chamberlain, Michael, 1953- instant download

215 pages : 23 cm, 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, Originally published: 1994, Includes bibliographical references and index