SOAS Research Online

A Free Database of the Latest Research by SOAS Academics and PhD Students

[skip to content]

Hirschler, Konrad (2008) 'The Formation of the Civilian Elite in the Syrian Province: The Case of Ayyubid and Early Mamluk Hamah.' Mamluk Studies Review, 12 (2). pp. 95-132.

This is the latest version of this item.

[img]
Preview
Text - Published Version
Download (275kB) | Preview

Abstract

The urban renaissance in northern Syria from the sixth/twelfth century onwards increased significantly the demand for scholars in order to staff newly arising civilian posts. This demand was in Hama initially satisfied with outside scholars, particularly those coming from the eastern lands. The decisive reason for the appointment of these scholars was their cosmopolitan background, i.e. a trans-regional reputation of scholarship and/or close links with the respective ruling dynasty. It took several decades until the grand Shafi'i families developed from the late sixth/twelfth century onwards that centred their activities on Hama. This local elite was increasingly able to monopolise the town’s important posts during considerable parts of the seventh/thirteenth and eighth/fourteenth centuries. Descent from the Banu al-Mughayzil, al-Bahrani, Wasil, and al-Barizi remained throughout this period a crucial asset in order to secure one’s career. It was only in the middle of the eigth/fourteenth century that the civilian elite of Hama became less localised: more outside scholars took positions in the town and the local families either lost in influence or adopted an increasingly cosmopolitan profile (Banu al-Barizi). Some families, such as the Banu Qarnas and Banu Rawaha, on the contrary, chose already during the period of a localised elite a cosmopolitan outlook. Although originiating from Hama they were active in many urban centres of the Syrian lands.

Item Type: Journal Article
SOAS Departments & Centres: Legacy Departments > Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Department of History
ISSN: 1086170X
DOI (Digital Object Identifier): https://doi.org/10.6082/M1V69GRQ
Date Deposited: 17 Sep 2008 12:46
URI: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/id/eprint/5381

Altmetric Data

Available Versions of this Item

  • The Formation of the Civilian Elite in the Syrian Province: The Case of Ayyubid and Early Mamluk Hamah. (deposited 17 Sep 2008 12:46) [Currently Displayed]

Statistics

Download activity - last 12 monthsShow export options
Downloads since deposit
6 month trend
1,032Downloads
6 month trend
144Hits
Accesses by country - last 12 monthsShow export options
Accesses by referrer - last 12 monthsShow export options

Repository staff only

Edit Item Edit Item