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Syria: An Outline History
Syria (which in its historical wider sense includes modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine and Jordan) has always been at the centre of events of world importance. It was in this region that pastoral-stock rearing, settled agriculture and alphabetic writing were invented (and the dog domesticated). From Syria, Phoenician explorers set out to explore the whole Mediterranean region and sailed round Africa 2,000 years before Vasco de Gama. These are achievements enough but the succeeding centuries offer a rich tapestry of turbulent change, a cycle of repeated conquest, unification, rebellion and division. John D Grainger gives a sweeping overview (though replete with telling details) of the making of this historical region. From the end of the ice age through the procession of Assyrian, Phoenician, Persian, Greek, Roman, Arab, Turkish, French and British attempts to dominate this area, the key events and influences are clearly explained and analysed. The events playing out on our TV screens over recent years are put in the context of 12,000 years of history.
368 pages, ebook
First published May 30, 2016
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January 12, 2024
This is a very ambitious book at first look: history of Syria for the past 5,000 years. There is a consistent theme, and it is not intended to give detailed narratives of events and wars. Syria is condemned by its own geography making it frighteningly difficult to be united; surrounded by three major powers, it has repeatedly been conquered by outsiders - ironically, when it was under foreign domination that Syria might enjoy a time of unity and prosperity. This view might be criticised as geo-determinism, but it seems fair that Syria's continuing troubles (it also includes Israel/Palestine) might be explained by its geography and climactic conditions that won't allow it to become sufficiently productive and wealthy. Because of almost permanently fragmented nature of Syrian history, there are so many players jostling for power, and this makes it hard to follow this book in places. Especially without a single map, which is the major problem.
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