The Cambridge World History of Genocide: Volume 1, Genocide in the Ancient, Medieval and Premodern Worlds

Volume I offers an introductory survey of the phenomenon of genocide. The first five chapters examine its major recurring themes, while the further nineteen are specific case studies. The combination of thematic and empirical approaches illuminates the origins and long history of genocide, its causes, consistent characteristics, and the connections linking various cases from earliest times to the early modern era. The themes examined include the roles of racism, the state, religion, gender prejudice, famine, and climate crises, as well as the role of human decision-making in the causation of genocide. The case studies cover events on four continents, ranging from prehistoric Europe and the Andes to ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, the early Greek world, Rome, Carthage, and the Mediterranean. It continues with the Norman Conquest of England's North, the Crusades, the Mongol Conquests, medieval India and Viet Nam, and a panoramic study of pre-modern China, as well as the Spanish conquests of the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Copyright_page Contents Figures Maps Tables List of Contributors to Volume I General Editor’s Acknowledgements General Editor’s Introduction to the Series Introduction to Volume I part i * THEMES OF GENOCIDE THROUGH HISTORY 1 . Genocide before the State? 2 . The Religion–Genocide Nexus 3 . Genocide and Gender: Dynamics and Consequences 4 . Genocide, Starvation and Famine 5 . Climate, Violence and Ethnic Conflict in the Ancient World part ii * THE ANCIENT WORLD 6 . Genocide in Ancient Israelite and Early Jewish Sources 7 . Genocide in Ancient Mesopotamia during the Bronze and Iron Ages 8 . Urbicide in the Ancient Greek World, 480–330 B C E 9 . Violence, Emotions and Justice in the Hellenistic Period 10 . A Tale of Three Cities 11 . Caesar’s Gallic Genocide 12 . Genocidal Perspectives in the Roman Empire’s Approach towards the Jews 13 . Religious Violence in the Later Roman Empire 14 . Genocide, Extermination and Mass Killing in Chinese History part iii * THE MEDIEVAL WORLD AND EARLY IMPERIAL EXPANSIONS 15 . William the Conqueror’s Harrying of the North, 1069–1070 16 . Genocidal Massacres of Jews in Medieval 1096–1392 17 . Crusaders and Mass Killing at Jerusalem in 1099 18 . The Albigensian Crusade and the Early Inquisitions into Heretical Depravity, 1208–1246 19 . Mongol Genocides of the Thirteenth Century 20 . Viêṭ Nam and the Genocide of Champa, 1470–1509 21 . Genocidal Massacres in Medieval India 22 . Mass Extermination in Prehistoric Andean South America 23 . The Spanish Destruction of the Canary Islands 24 . Genocidal Massacres in the Spanish Conquest of the Americas Index This three-volume set uncovers the long-term and immediate causes of genocide from prehistory to the twenty-first century, highlighting how humans have demonstrated genocidal intent over time, and how it can be prevented. It will be of interest to historians, political scientists, human rights associations and students.