The Fortress of the Raven: Karak in the Middle Islamic Period, 1100-1650 (Islamic History and Civilization)

In c.1142 work started on the construction of a major castle in the southern Jordanian town of Karak. The largest of a network of fortifications, Karak castle became the administrative centre of an important Crusader lordship. After 1188 Karak and its territories were incorporated into the Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman sultanates. This book traces the history of Karak and the surrounding lands during the Middle Islamic period (c.1100-1650 CE). The book offers an innovative methodology, combining primary textual sources (in Latin and Arabic) with archaeological data (principally the ceramic record) as a means to reconstruct the fluctuating economic relations between Karak and other regions of the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean. This Book Traces The History Of Karak Castle And The Surrounding Lands During The Middle Islamic Period (c.1100-1650 Ce). The Book Combines Primary Textual Sources With Archaeological Data (principally The Ceramic Record) As A Means To Reconstruct The Fluctuating Economic Relations Between Karak And Other Regions Of The Middle East And Eastern Mediterranean.--book Jacket. Ch. 1. Introduction -- Pt. 1. The Historical Development Of Karak In The Middle Islamic Period -- Ch. 2. The Political History Of Karak -- Ch. 3. Administration And Architectural Patronage In Karak And Its Dependent Regions -- Ch. 4. Economic Survey Of Karak And Its Dependent Regions -- Ch. 5. Summary Of The Historical Evidence -- Pt. 2. The Middle Islamic Ceramics From Karak -- Ch. 6. Unglazed Ceramics -- Ch. 7. Glazed Ceramics -- Ch. 8. Summary Of The Ceramic Evidence -- Ch. 9. Conclusion -- App. 1. Catalogue Of The Ceramics From Karak (areas: A-f) -- App. 2. Identification Of Sites. By Marcus Milwright. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [403]-432) And Index. Textual and archaeological sources are employed to reconstruct the history of Karak in Jordan, 1100-1650 CE. The book establishes the ways in which the construction of a major castle at Karak affected the town and the surrounding rural hinterland.