2020-21

The course analyzes and studies the political and social entity created in Egypt and Syria in the late Middle Ages by the Mamluks, who were military personnel of servile origin. The Mamluk State was the largest political, military, and economic power in the Middle East until it was conquered and incorporated by the Ottomans into their state.

The course examines the history of Egypt from the advent of Muhammad Ali in Egypt until the British conquest of the country. The main issues that the course analyzes is the personality of Muhammad Ali, his rise to power and the establishment by him of a personal dynasty, the policies implemented in the country and the new policy of external expansion, along with the major changes that these policies provoked in the Egyptian society.

This course looks at Greek texts of the Byzantine and Ottoman period that the course instructor has chosen as appropriate material for didactic use in the teaching of Byzantine history and of the history of modern Greek history and culture.  One of the aims of the course is to cultivate in students the ability to deal with written sources and decide what can be employed for teaching use.  Another is to make use of these texts through working groups to which all students will belong.

The course is an in-depth, thematic examination of significant aspects for the history and the evolution of the medieval world, particularly during the High and Late Middle Ages (c.1000-1500). The aim is to help students understand some fundamental characteristics of the period, and to highlight dynamic transformations and developments which marked the history of Europe – thus challenging the common perception of the allegedly static Middle Ages.  
The course is structured around three main themes: