Focusing on the often-overlooked influence of Arabic speakers during the Middle Ages, this work delves into the material aspects that supported the flourishing of Arabic literature. Beatrice Gruendler highlights the significance of this period in the history of the book, revealing how it was not just a European phenomenon but a vibrant cultural exchange that shaped literary traditions in the Arabic-speaking world. Her research aims to broaden the understanding of the book's development beyond the European perspective.
Exploring the genre of panegyrics, this book delves into the dynamics of medieval Near Eastern society, highlighting how poets engaged with rulers, officials, and the elite. It examines the varied tones of these verses, which could celebrate, reprimand, or even threaten their subjects, reflecting the complex relationships within a multi-ethnic context. Through this lens, the work offers a deeper understanding of social hierarchies and cultural expressions of the time.
Literature in the pre-modern Near East served as a vital medium for conveying ethical and ideological concerns to rulers while ensuring the authors' subsistence and status. Writers often counterbalanced the power of royal patrons by aligning themselves with religious law and ethical ideals, thus creating a “contract” that shaped the ruler's public image. They sometimes employed direct criticism through curses or indirect commentary via historical examples and satire. To achieve their goals, authors adapted existing literary genres—such as lament, praise qaside, quatrain, ghazal, epistle, ahkam sultaniyya, historiography, mirror for princes, and shadow play—or even created new forms. This dynamic allowed authors to gain material benefits and fame, while rulers showcased their culture and governance, hoping to secure a lasting legacy. Nine essays delve into these themes across various historical contexts from the ninth to the seventeenth centuries, covering the geographical span between Egypt and Iran. The work highlights the significant public role of Arabic and Persian literature, offering detailed studies for specialists while making the relevance of this literature to political leadership accessible to a broader audience. A general introduction and two extensive indices facilitate navigation for non-specialists.
