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The Middle East: A Political History from 395 to the Present
The Middle East, often referred to as the cradle of the three monotheisms, is saturated with symbolism. Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, it is a land marked by the rich confluence of religions and peoples. At the same time, it has been the focal point of endemic tensions and conflicts, many of which stretch back into the mists of time.
In this new history of the Middle East, Jean-Pierre Filiu looks beyond religion and focuses his attention on the processes by which powers and their areas of domination were established over time. His starting point is 395 AD, the year when the Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves: at that point, the Middle East emerged as a specific entity, freed from external domination, and a Christianity of the East asserted itself, turned towards Byzantium rather than towards Rome. From this point on, Filiu follows a strictly Middle Eastern dynamics, tracing the rise and fall of powers linked to the three principal poles of Egypt, Syria and Iraq and recounting the procession of empires, invasions and assertions of imperialist ambition that have characterized the region since then. The book closes in 2022, when the men and women of the Middle East are still struggling for the right to define their destiny by telling their stories in their own voices.
This magisterial and up-to-date history of the Middle East will be essential reading for students and scholars of history and politics and for anyone interested in history of one of the most important and contested regions of the modern world.
In this new history of the Middle East, Jean-Pierre Filiu looks beyond religion and focuses his attention on the processes by which powers and their areas of domination were established over time. His starting point is 395 AD, the year when the Roman Empire was divided into eastern and western halves: at that point, the Middle East emerged as a specific entity, freed from external domination, and a Christianity of the East asserted itself, turned towards Byzantium rather than towards Rome. From this point on, Filiu follows a strictly Middle Eastern dynamics, tracing the rise and fall of powers linked to the three principal poles of Egypt, Syria and Iraq and recounting the procession of empires, invasions and assertions of imperialist ambition that have characterized the region since then. The book closes in 2022, when the men and women of the Middle East are still struggling for the right to define their destiny by telling their stories in their own voices.
This magisterial and up-to-date history of the Middle East will be essential reading for students and scholars of history and politics and for anyone interested in history of one of the most important and contested regions of the modern world.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2021
30 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Jean-Pierre Filiu
45 books42 followersJean-Pierre Filiu (1961) is a French professor of Middle East studies at Sciences Po, Paris School of International Affairs, an Orientalist and an Arabist.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 31, 2024
This is a good book for those interested in the fascinating history of the Middle East. Filiu delineates his writing by focusing on the political history of the region, however, with that said, aspects of religion culture etc. spills over into the political realm.
I have been searching for a book that has a distinct focus on political developments of the region and think that this book is a good introduction to such developments. Filiu does a good job in past and present events both in modern history as well as ancient.
I also like the innovative move to begin the writing of ME history with the split of the Roman Empire. While many historical depictions of the region starts with the birth of Islam, the approach this book takes gives a clearer backdrop to the environment within which Islam later emerged.
The book also did a good job including the political developments of Turkey and Persia and its effect on the rest of the region. These are sometimes dismissed as less important in historical writings on the Middle East where an over-emphasis on Arab countries is prevalent.
All in all, a good book, worth the read
I have been searching for a book that has a distinct focus on political developments of the region and think that this book is a good introduction to such developments. Filiu does a good job in past and present events both in modern history as well as ancient.
I also like the innovative move to begin the writing of ME history with the split of the Roman Empire. While many historical depictions of the region starts with the birth of Islam, the approach this book takes gives a clearer backdrop to the environment within which Islam later emerged.
The book also did a good job including the political developments of Turkey and Persia and its effect on the rest of the region. These are sometimes dismissed as less important in historical writings on the Middle East where an over-emphasis on Arab countries is prevalent.
All in all, a good book, worth the read
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January 9, 2024Prominent French historian Jean-Pierre Filiu's latest book is a comprehensive exploration of the Middle East's political history, from the split-up of the Roman Empire in 395AD to the counter-revolutions of the present-day.
Read our review here: https://www.newarab.com/features/deco...
Read our review here: https://www.newarab.com/features/deco...
September 8, 2023
Livro: 4 estrelas.
Tradução: -1 estrela (parece-me que a tradução foi feita com base na versão espanhola em vez do francês original...).
Tradução: -1 estrela (parece-me que a tradução foi feita com base na versão espanhola em vez do francês original...).
March 2, 2025
Un excellent livre qui retrace l’histoire du Moyen Orient depuis la fondation de Constantinople jusqu’à aujourd’hui.
Il permet de comprendre cette région, non seulement, de point de vue historique, mais également, de point de vue Géopolitique.
Le Moyen Orient actuel, qui fut pendant longtemps un centre où se sont succédées des superpuissances qui ont dominé le monde sur plusieurs siècles, connaît aujourd’hui des événements tragiques à ne pas finir.
Comment les nouveaux empires ont installé leurs assises lors du déclin de l’empire Ottoman? Les guerres et les alliances entre ces nouveaux empires ont modelé la naissance d’un nouveau Moyen Orient en guerre depuis plus d’un siècle?
La compréhension de cette histoire permet de mieux expliquer les événements d’aujourd’hui? Mais permet-t-elle faire des projections pour l’avenir?
Il permet de comprendre cette région, non seulement, de point de vue historique, mais également, de point de vue Géopolitique.
Le Moyen Orient actuel, qui fut pendant longtemps un centre où se sont succédées des superpuissances qui ont dominé le monde sur plusieurs siècles, connaît aujourd’hui des événements tragiques à ne pas finir.
Comment les nouveaux empires ont installé leurs assises lors du déclin de l’empire Ottoman? Les guerres et les alliances entre ces nouveaux empires ont modelé la naissance d’un nouveau Moyen Orient en guerre depuis plus d’un siècle?
La compréhension de cette histoire permet de mieux expliquer les événements d’aujourd’hui? Mais permet-t-elle faire des projections pour l’avenir?
September 19, 2024
A very good overview of the history of the Middle East from 395 to the present day. To my mind the most telling chapter was Chapter 8: 'The Time of the Mandates' (1914-1949), which spells out the devastating impact of French and British colonialism in the Middle East between the two world wars, and how it helped set in motion destructive forces which are still impacting the region today. I learned a lot from this book, and I also particularly appreciated the full-colour map section, to which I found myself constantly referring as the story unfolded. Four stars out of five.
December 31, 2024
Um livro lúcido, que percorre a história do Médio Oriente desde 395 (fundação do Império Romano do Oriente), até ao presente, não do ponto de vista religioso habitual, que mais não é do que uma forma de desculpa, mas das condições sociais, políticas e culturais de cada comunidade que forma esta complexa parte do mundo. Excelente leitura para os dias que correm.
January 9, 2025
Muito esclarecedor!
Vale a pena ler!
Vale a pena ler!
February 19, 2025
Alright read for anyone interested in learning a brief history about a region that a brief history doesn’t do the job, nonetheless I enjoyed the book for what it was meant to do.
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August 26, 2025lu chapitres couvrant 1914-2000
July 11, 2022
Noble projet que celui de ce livre :
"[La France et l'Europe] ont tout à gagner à formuler un projet d'avenir pour une région aussi proche que stratégique et tout à perdre à laisser les conflits s'y emboiter les uns dans les autres (...) A l'heure où les prédateurs régionaux manipulent le passé pour justifier leurs aventures, il importe de leur opposer une lecture dépassionnée des siècles écoulés et d'éviter que des récits de combat ne nourrissent de nouvelles crises"
L'ouvrage impressionne par son érudition et par la singularité et la pertinence de sa démarche. Il présente souvent de façon édifiante des événements plus ou moins connus de l'histoire de la région.
Sa lecture n'en est pas moins difficile. En choisissant de couvrir une telle étendue d'espace et de temps dans un format relativement condensé, Filiu est contraint d'enchaîner les individus, les mouvements et les lieux (dont la toponymie peut varier), dont la succession peut fatiguer le lecteur profane, au risque de le perdre.
Une œuvre admirable dont la forme risque malheureusement de desservir le projet ambitieux porté par l'auteur.
"[La France et l'Europe] ont tout à gagner à formuler un projet d'avenir pour une région aussi proche que stratégique et tout à perdre à laisser les conflits s'y emboiter les uns dans les autres (...) A l'heure où les prédateurs régionaux manipulent le passé pour justifier leurs aventures, il importe de leur opposer une lecture dépassionnée des siècles écoulés et d'éviter que des récits de combat ne nourrissent de nouvelles crises"
L'ouvrage impressionne par son érudition et par la singularité et la pertinence de sa démarche. Il présente souvent de façon édifiante des événements plus ou moins connus de l'histoire de la région.
Sa lecture n'en est pas moins difficile. En choisissant de couvrir une telle étendue d'espace et de temps dans un format relativement condensé, Filiu est contraint d'enchaîner les individus, les mouvements et les lieux (dont la toponymie peut varier), dont la succession peut fatiguer le lecteur profane, au risque de le perdre.
Une œuvre admirable dont la forme risque malheureusement de desservir le projet ambitieux porté par l'auteur.
October 17, 2022
Trop politico-évènementiel pour mon goût.
September 6, 2023
Nice overview of the history of the region, showing how all the middle east has always been a stage for wars between the different empires, kingdoms, crusaders, religions & sects.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews