The mirage of the Saracen: christians and nomads in the Sinai Peninsula in Late Antiquity

'The Mirage of the Saracen analyzes the growth of monasticism and Christian settlements in the Sinai Peninsula through the early seventh century CE. Walter D. Ward examines the ways in which Christian monks justified occupying the Sinai through creating associations between Biblical narratives...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The transformation of the classical heritage
Subtitles:Christians and nomads in the Sinai Peninsula in late antiquity
Main Author: Ward, Walter D. (Author)
Format: Print Book
Language:English
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Published: Oakland, Calif. University of Californiarnia Press c 2015
In: The transformation of the classical heritage (54)
Series/Journal:The transformation of the classical heritage 54
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Sinai Peninsula / Arabs / Bedouin / Pilgrim / Christian / Late Antiquity
Further subjects:B Monasticism and religious orders (Egypt) (Sinai)
B Christianity (Egypt) (Sinai)
B Nomads (Egypt) (Sinai) History
B Pilgrims and pilgrimages (Egypt) (Sinai)
B Thesis
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Summary:'The Mirage of the Saracen analyzes the growth of monasticism and Christian settlements in the Sinai Peninsula through the early seventh century CE. 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 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.'--Provided by publisher
Item Description:Includes bibliographical references and index
Erscheinungsjahr in Vorlageform:[2014]
ISBN:0520283775