Damascus Events
The 1860 Massacre and the Destruction of the Old Ottoman World
By Eugene Rogan | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
About the book
‘A superb account of the 1860 Damascus massacres—much neglected nowadays but central to the creation of the modern Middle East’ - Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘A stunning portrait of the Ottoman Empire and of Damascus during a time of crisis. Absolutely riveting’ - Peter Frankopan
This remarkable book recreates one of the watershed moments in the history of the Middle East: the ferocious outbreaks of disorder across the Levant in 1860 which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Christians in Damascus.
Eugene Rogan brilliantly recreates the lost world of the Middle East under Ottoman rule. The once mighty empire was under pressure from global economic change and European imperial expansion. Reforms in the mid-nineteenth century raised tensions across the empire, nowhere more so than in Damascus. A multifarious city linked by caravan trade to Baghdad, the Mediterranean and Mecca, the chaos of languages, customs and beliefs made Damascus a warily tolerant place. Until the reforms began to advantage the minority Christian community at the expense of the Muslim majority.
But in 1860 people who had generally lived side by side for generations became bitter enemies as news of civil war in Mount Lebanon arrived in the city. Under the threat of a French expeditionary force, the Ottomans dealt with the disaster effectively and ruthlessly - but the old, generally quite tolerant Damascene world lay in ruins. It would take a quarter of a century to restore stability and prosperity to the Syrian capital.
This is both an essential book for understanding the emergence of the modern Middle East from the destruction of the old Ottoman world, and a uniquely gripping story.
Editions of Damascus Events
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241646908
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781802063202
- EBook
- ISBN 9780241646922
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781802066708
Read an Excerpt
‘A superb account of the 1860 Damascus massacres—much neglected nowadays but central to the creation of the modern Middle East’ - Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘A stunning portrait of the Ottoman Empire and of Damascus during a time of crisis. Absolutely riveting’ - Peter Frankopan
This remarkable book recreates one of the watershed moments in the history of the Middle East: the ferocious outbreaks of disorder across the Levant in 1860 which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Christians in Damascus.
Eugene Rogan brilliantly recreates the lost world of the Middle East under Ottoman rule. The once mighty empire was under pressure from global economic change and European imperial expansion. Reforms in the mid-nineteenth century raised tensions across the empire, nowhere more so than in Damascus. A multifarious city linked by caravan trade to Baghdad, the Mediterranean and Mecca, the chaos of languages, customs and beliefs made Damascus a warily tolerant place. Until the reforms began to advantage the minority Christian community at the expense of the Muslim majority.
But in 1860 people who had generally lived side by side for generations became bitter enemies as news of civil war in Mount Lebanon arrived in the city. Under the threat of a French expeditionary force, the Ottomans dealt with the disaster effectively and ruthlessly - but the old, generally quite tolerant Damascene world lay in ruins. It would take a quarter of a century to restore stability and prosperity to the Syrian capital.
This is both an essential book for understanding the emergence of the modern Middle East from the destruction of the old Ottoman world, and a uniquely gripping story.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Damascus Events about?
‘A superb account of the 1860 Damascus massacres—much neglected nowadays but central to the creation of the modern Middle East’ - Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘A stunning portrait of the Ottoman Empire and of Damascus during a time of crisis. Absolutely riveting’ - Peter Frankopan
This remarkable book recreates one of the watershed moments in the history of the Middle East: the ferocious outbreaks of disorder across the Levant in 1860 which resulted in the massacre of thousands of Christians in Damascus.
Eugene Rogan brilliantly recreates the lost world of the Middle East under Ottoman rule. The once mighty empire was under pressure from global economic change and European imperial expansion. Reforms in the mid-nineteenth century raised tensions across the empire, nowhere more so than in Damascus. A multifarious city linked by caravan trade to Baghdad, the Mediterranean and Mecca, the chaos of languages, customs and beliefs made Damascus a warily tolerant place. Until the reforms began to advantage the minority Christian community at the expense of the Muslim majority.
But in 1860 people who had generally lived side by side for generations became bitter enemies as news of civil war in Mount Lebanon arrived in the city. Under the threat of a French expeditionary force, the Ottomans dealt with the disaster effectively and ruthlessly - but the old, generally quite tolerant Damascene world lay in ruins. It would take a quarter of a century to restore stability and prosperity to the Syrian capital.
This is both an essential book for understanding the emergence of the modern Middle East from the destruction of the old Ottoman world, and a uniquely gripping story.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Damascus Events?
History and Archaeology > History > Middle Eastern history
Where can I read a sample of Damascus Events?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241646908
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Damascus Events?
Eugene Rogan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Damascus Events is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241646908) and paperback(ISBN 9781802063202) and ebook(ISBN 9780241646922) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781802066708)
Where can I buy Damascus Events online or support local independent bookshops?
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Where can I buy Damascus Events?