Mirage of the Saracen: Christians and Nomads in the Sinai Peninsula in Late Antiquity (Volume 54) (Transformation of the Classical Heritage)

__Mirage of the Saracen__ analyzes the growth of monasticism and Christian settlements in the Sinai Peninsula through the early seventh century C.E. 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 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. '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. Introduction -- Saracens -- Monasticism And Pilgrimage In The Sinai -- The Sinai As Christian -- Martyrdom In The Sinai -- Response To The Saracen Threat -- Murderous Sword Of The Saracens/conclusion. Walter D. Ward. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 155-187) And Index. '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 List of Illustrations xi Preface xiii Note on Sources xv Abbreviations xxv Introduction 1 1. Saracens 17 2. Monasticism and Pilgrimage in the Sinai 42 3. Th e Sinai as Christian Space 67 4. Martyrdom in the Sinai 92 5. Imperial Response to the Saracen Th reat 111 6. Th e Murderous Sword of the Saracen 128 Bibliography Primary Sources 155 Secondary Sources 161 Index 189