{"product_id":"knowledge-and-social-practice-in-medieval-damascus-1190-1350-paperback-9780521525947","title":"Knowledge and Social Practice in Medieval Damascus, 1190–1350 (Paperback) 9780521525947","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eKnowledge and Social Practice in Medieval Damascus, 1190–1350\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA reconceptualisation of the relationship between the society and culture of the Middle East.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eMichael Chamberlain (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9780521525947, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback, published 27 June 2002\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e216 pages, 2 maps\u003cbr\u003e23 x 15.3 x 1.8 cm, 0.367 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eMichael 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. By examining material from the Latin West, Sung China and the Sinicized empires of Inner Asia, the author addresses the nature of political power in the period.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e 1. The a'yan of Damascus\u003cbr\u003e 2. Madrasas, the production of knowledge and the reproduction of elites\u003cbr\u003e 3. Mansabs and the knowledge of fitna\u003cbr\u003e 4. Social and cultural capital\u003cbr\u003e 5. Truth, error, and the struggle for social power\u003cbr\u003e Summary.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: Early history: c 500 to c 1450\/1500 [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on Early history: c 500 to c 1450\/1500\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22Early%20history:%20c%20500%20to%20c%201450\/1500%20%5BHBLC%5D%22\"\u003eHBLC\u003c\/a\u003e], European history [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on European history\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22European%20history%20%5BHBJD%5D%22\"\u003eHBJD\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45909233402136,"sku":"9780521525947","price":36.98,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9780521525947i_1300f140-7cd7-4829-ab6a-b0e040821f36.jpg?v=1691368891","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/knowledge-and-social-practice-in-medieval-damascus-1190-1350-paperback-9780521525947","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}