AHMED ABDU ALLAH AHMED, The Commercial Activity in Syrian Coast During The Crusades "12 – 13 A.D" (Cairo: Thesis Submitted to Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams Univ., 2006) In 272 pgs.
REVIEWED BY: WAEL IBRAHIM EL-DESOKY, Researcher in History, Ain Shams Univ., A member of the Egyptian Society for Historical Studies]
[bdr][/bdr]
In the Work of some five years, "Ahmed Abdu Allah Ahmed" (B. 1980), prepared his thesis with his supervisor "Mohammed Moa'nes Awad" (Prof. of Medieval history - Ain Shams Univ.). "Ahmed Abdu allah" Submitted This Work for Obtaining The Master of Arts Degree In Medieval History.
"Ahmed" and his supervisor, succeeded in shedding light on the history of the unknown Islamic era of the Crusades. And We are trying here in this forum to refer to this good work, which was adopted by the impartiality and objectivity.
The Syrian Coast is significant spot in the Mediterranean; specifically the coastal belt expanding from "Askandrona" in the North to "Gaza" in the South. It also had its significant role in the trading activities. When the Caliphate deteriorated and independent states appeared, such spots became the significant spot of conflict for those states. That coast was under the control of any state, such state might control the coastal cities, the Trade and Military fleets represented the safeguard these to.
In Syria, The home of Christ peace be upon him; the enshrine of the Christian pilgrims, Christians felt worried about The Islamic control of that place, At this time, The "Fatimid" took control over Syria. Because of the Conflict that took place between the "Fatimid" & "Seljuks" in Iraq about controlling Jerusalem; the pilgrims were subjected to some problems by The Islamic authorities especially under the reign The "Fatimid" ruler; "El Hakem Baamr Allah" who was a bad ruler for The Muslims & Christians.
For all Those reasons; The Crusades were bunched to take Syria due to its economic importance. The Crusade movement began by founding some emirates including "Antoky". Most important of all was the Kingdom of Jerusalem. There was also the emirate of over The Syrian Coast. After words, The Syrian Coast was under The Islamic Control. Therefore, The Crusades forces sought to find an out let over The Syrian Coast, They began by controlling some Syrian Coasts such as "Sidon"; "Haifa"; "Askalon"; "Acre"; "Jafa"...& etc. so that the Crusades Emirates may be connected to Europe they were planted in an Islamic World.
"Ahmed" Showed, Another reasons for the influence of the crusades over the Syrian Coasts which was to end The Trade brokerage role played by The Arab in The Mediterranean, At That time, The Trade flourished in truly. It sought to have new trade centers when its products, Could be marketed and to eliminate the Islamic Influence in The Mediterranean. Therefore, all the Italian provinces responded to the idea of the Pope "Urban II" who called for the crusades. He also promised forgiveness for the crusades, Crusades were the main motives for Italy so that if might go with its products to The East of Asia.
After the Crusader forces settled in the Syrian Coasts, The "Fatimid" state frequently tried to recover them. additionally, The "Seljuks" forces interfered in such conflict especially that they were defeated by The Crusades, Them come the disaster. The Emirate of "Edessa" fell at the hands of the Islamic forces, then, "Salah Eddin", Defeated the crusades forces in (Hattin battle)1187A.D. Afterwards, He recovered The Syrian Coast but "Sur".
Regarding my study subject here in, it shall be the economic status in the Syrian coasts in 12–13 Centuries/ (A.D 6–7 Centuries). I shall the introduction about the geography of the Syrian coasts in relation to the human structure; population; economic activity and belief.
As for chapter one (P. 28), "Ahmed" included the status of such Coasts in the Islamic Crusade conflict, The attempts of "Bolduin I" to have command over them to be the base of the crusades in the Mediterranean, He desired to contact with Europe. He was in such a place surrounded by enemies, He was willing to be supplied with forces and financial support from Europe. and explained the attempts of the "Fatimid" to recover the lands usurped by the crusades. Then come the attempts of the "Seljuks" who defeated them badly. as they were under the command of "Salah Eddin", at the battle of "Hattin", "Salah Eddin" could recover the Syrian coast cities.
But in Chapter two (P. 83), The products on which the transactions were based, They were imported from the East of Asia to be exported to The Syrian Coasts; most importantly, Acre. There shall be the products of those cities such as silk textile; colored glass; weapons– etc…, They were imported and exported there was another significant issue which was the trade cities in Syria where the Italian & other colonies settled.
In the third Chapter (P. 130), The writer included the markets in Syrian Coasts including the market palms; its place in the cities, its labor forces and those who worked in trade. He explained point out on important factor which is the currencies used and the fraud. this is beside what the crusaders used at their bargains with the Muslims & in the Italian cities.
Chapter four (P. 177), included the taxes which were imposed on the ships landing in the Syrian coasts and the duties imposed on the naval convoys making for such cities. The Italian trade cities struggled to obtain privileges to the extant that they fought with one anther for them. This was beside the fraud and tax evasion at that time.
the author has succeeded in presenting all points discussed. He gained favor from his debaters, The presentation of the points was smooth, objectively, took a historic economic, well raise the level of work.
Book Review,, The Commercial Activity in Syrian Coast During The Crusades "12 – 13 A.
رد مع اقتباس
المفضلات