Arabic Administration in Norman Sicily: The Royal Diwan (Cambridge Studies in Islamic Civilization) - Hardcover

Johns, Jeremy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521816920 ISBN 13: 9780521816922

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Jeremy Johns' unique study is the first comprehensive account of the Arabic administration of Norman Sicily. While it is generally assumed that the Normans inherited their administration from the Muslim governors of the island, Johns demonstrates that the Norman kings actually restructured their administration to the model of Fatimid Egypt. Controversially, he suggests that their intention was not administrative efficiency, but the projection of their royal image. This accessible account of the Norman rulers reveals how they related to their counterparts in the Muslim Mediterranean.

About this title

Book Description:

Jeremy Johns' book represents the first comprehensive account of the Arabic administration of Norman Sicily. While it is generally assumed that the Normans inherited their administration from the Muslim governors of the island, the author demonstrates that the Norman kings actually restructured their administration on the model of Fatimid Egypt. Controversially, he also suggests that their intention was not administrative efficiency but the projection of their royal image. This is a compelling and accessible account of the Norman rulers and how they related to their counterparts in the Muslim Mediterranean.

Review:

"...an important contribution to the study of the post-conquest history of Sicily. ...a useful and obligatory text of reference for years to come." Canadian Journal of History

"It is a work of luminous scholarship...also wonderfully written. Careful reading, even for nonspecialists, yields a rich prize: awareness of a fascinating and anomalous chapter of premodern Mediterranean history." History

"Johns has made a major contribution to our understanding of the monarchy ... Scholars are going to be building on John's research in numerous areas for a long time." The International History Review

"This is a compelling and accessible account of the Norman rulers and how they related to their counterparts in the Muslim Mediterranean." Middle East

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521816920
• ISBN 13: 9780521816922
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 410