Author Description
Gaza has become synonymous with conflict and dispute. Though only slightly larger than Omaha, Nebraska, at 140 square miles, the small territory of Gaza has been a hot spot for bitter disputes between sparring powers for millennia, from the Ancient Egyptians up until the British Empire and even today.Wedged between the Negev and Sinai deserts on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other, Gaza was contested by the Pharaohs, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Fatimids, Mamluks, Crusaders, and Ottomans. Then in 1948, 200,000 people sought refuge in Gaza - a marginal area neither Israel nor Egypt wanted. It is here that Palestinian nationalism grew and sprouted into a dream of statehood, a journey much filled with strife.Though small in size, Gaza's history is nothing short of monumental. Jean-Pierre Filiu's Gaza is the first complete history of the territory in any language. Beginning with the Hyksos in 18th century BC, Filiu takes readers through modern times and the ongoing disputes of the region, ending with what may be in store for the future.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the historical trajectory of Gaza to explain its evolution from a contested ancient crossroads into a modern epicenter of geopolitical conflict. Jean-Pierre Filiu, a professor at Sciences Po and a specialist in the Middle East, utilizes a vast array of primary sources and historical records to construct a comprehensive chronological narrative. He argues that Gaza's identity is defined by its unique position as a buffer zone and a site of persistent struggle for sovereignty across millennia.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological survey spanning from the 18th century BC to the early 21st century.
- Analysis of the impact of successive empires including the Egyptians, Romans, Ottomans, and the British.
- Examination of the 1948 refugee crisis and the subsequent emergence of Palestinian nationalism.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the geopolitical and historical status of the territory rather than detailed personal memoirs or cultural ethnography.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and reviewers frequently cite this work as the definitive historical account of the region due to its unprecedented chronological breadth. Experts highlight the book's ability to provide necessary context for contemporary events by grounding them in thousands of years of administrative and military history.
Page Count:
440
Publication Date:
2017-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019062308X
ISBN-13:
9780190623081
History
International relations
Middle East
Military History
Gaza Strip
Community Tags
Similar Books
