From Byzantine to Islamic Egypt: Religion, Identity and Politics after the Arab Conquest by Maged S. A. Mikhail
Lev E. Weitz
Reviewed by: From Byzantine to Islamic Egypt: Religion, Identity and Politics after the Arab Conquest by Maged S. A. Mikhail Lev Weitz Conquest. By Mikhail. [Library of Middle East History, vol. 45.] (London: I. B. Tauris; distrib. Palgrave. 2014. Pp. xiii, 429. $100.00. ISBN 978-1-848-85938-8.) Mikhail’s Egypt examines transformations in Egyptian society, religion, politics occasioned Arab-Muslim conquests seventh century. It is an ambitious undertaking. In twelve chapters spanning tenth centuries, book seeks examine extensive range historiographically significant subjects. These include relations between conquerors indigenous Christian elites; religious conversion; linguistic change; Muslim rulers’ reforms administrative system; law justice cities countryside; settlement evolution Egypt’s population; with churches Nubia, Ethiopia, Syria; reconstitution ecclesiastical authority under rule; practical discursive construction Coptic, Melkite, local identities. many respects, succeeds accomplishing its goals. Its greatest strength full use exceptionally wide textual sources has offer—narrative texts both Coptic Arabic, as well Greek, documentary papyri—in service broad historical vision. The source material historiographical debates related are enough that subject any book’s could be a monograph own. signal contribution bring such diverse array together offer compelling coherent syntheses his chosen topics number new arguments Chapter 9’s discussion Church’s Nubia Ethiopia noteworthy; ably makes case those fundamentally structured hierarchy’s political position vis-à-vis rulers back Egypt. Although other provinces early caliphate have received treatments comparable their breadth (Michael Morony’s seminal Iraq [Princeton, 1984] comes mind), was surely need one. made important this regard. will most readily accessible specialists late antiquity Islam. On whole, tend dive straight into debates; students or nonspecialists might want read more general history before engaging arguments. Certain limitations arise approach formation communal frequently laudably objects primordialist narratives (although which contemporary scholars actually hold views not always clear), tends emphasize constructedness Despite framework, however, uses terms Melkite interchangeably anti-Chalcedonian pro-Chalcedonian throughout. This becomes problematic at times. For example, justly argues elites began portray rule exclusively persecutory only [End Page 379] ninth century doing so effort define place past order (p. 36). would been useful, consider whether indigenizing discourses like played some role producing very idea Christianity discrete tradition transforming Egyptians Copts ethno-religious category. respect, terminological conventions sometimes obscure cultural it otherwise documents well. indictment overall quality. impressive success provide detailed examinations topic vital Christianity. welcome historiography world, Christianity, late-antique medieval Catholic University America Copyright © 2016 Press
Catholic Historical Review