| Description |
1 online resource (222 pages) : illustrations, maps. |
|
data file |
| Physical Medium |
polychrome |
| Series |
Transformation of the Classical Heritage ; LIV
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Transformation of the classical heritage ; LIV.
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| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Contents |
Cover; Contents; List of Illustrations; Preface; Note on Sources; Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Saracens; 2. Monasticism and Pilgrimage in the Sinai; 3. The Sinai as Christian Space; 4. Martyrdom in the Sinai; 5. Imperial Response to the Saracen Threat; 6. The Murderous Sword of the Saracen; Bibliography; Primary Sources; Secondary Sources; Index. |
| Summary |
Mirage of the Saracen analyzes the growth of monasticism and Christian settlements in the Sinai Peninsula through the early seventh century C.E. Walter D. Ward examines the ways in which Christian monks justified occupying the Sinai through creating associations between Biblical narratives and Sinai sites while assigning uncivilized, negative, and oppositional traits to the indigenous nomadic population, whom the Christians pejoratively called "Saracens." By writing edifying tales of hostile nomads and the ensuing martyrdom of the monks, Christians not only reinforced their claims to the spiritual benefits of asceticism but also provoked the Roman authorities to enhance defense of pilgrimage routes to the Sinai. When Muslim armies later began conquering the Middle East, Christians also labeled these new conquerors as Saracens, connecting Muslims to these pre-Islamic representations. This timely and relevant work builds a historical account of interreligious encounters in the ancient world, showing the Sinai as a crucible for forging long-lasting images of both Christians and Muslims, some of which endure today. |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Monasticism and religious orders -- Egypt -- Sinai.
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Monasticism and religious orders. |
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Egypt -- Sinai. |
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Christianity -- Egypt -- Sinai.
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Christianity. |
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Nomads -- Egypt -- Sinai -- History.
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Nomads. |
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History. |
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Pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Egypt -- Sinai.
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Pilgrims and pilgrimages. |
| Genre/Form |
Electronic books.
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History.
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| Other Form: |
Print version: Ward, Walter D. Mirage of the Saracen : Christians and nomads in the Sinai Peninsula in late antiquity. Oakland, California : University of California Press, ©2015 xxvii, 193 pages Transformation of the classical heritage ; LIV. 9780520283770 |
| ISBN |
9780520959521 (e-book) |
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0520959523 (e-book) |
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9780520283770 (print) |
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