The essays discuss continuity and change in Bilad al Sham (Greater Syria) during the sixteenth century, examining to what extent Egypt and Greater Syria were affected by the transition from Mamluk to Ottoman rule. This is explored in a variety of areas: diplomatic relations, histories and historiography, fiscal and agricultural administration, symbolic orders, urban developments, local perspectives and material culture. In order to rethink the sixteenth century from a transitional perspective and thus overcome the conventional dynasty-centered fields of research Mamlukists and Ottomanists have been brought together, shedding light on the remarkable sixteenth century, so decisive for the formation of early modern Muslim empires.
Prof Dr Bethany J. Walker is Research Professor of Mamluk Studies at the University of Bonn and Director of the Research Unit of Islamic Archaeology. As a historically-trained archaeologist, she directs several field projects in Jordan and Israel.
Dr. Torsten Wollina arbeitet seit 2014 am Orient Institut Beirut, wo er sich mit der mamlukischen und osmanischen Historiographie beschäftigt und die Herausgabe der Schriftenreihe Beiruter Texte und Studien" (BTS) organisiert. "
Toru Miura is Vice-President and Professor at the Ochanomizu University, and Research Fellow at the Toyo Bunko, Japan.
Yehoshua Frenkel is Professor of Middle Eastern History at the University of Haifa. His research interests embrace popular culture, Islamic etiquette, communal practices, social history, and legal discourse in Middle and Late Caliphate Egypt and Syria (1055–1517).
Prof. Dr. Stephan Conermann lehrt Islamwissenschaft an der Universität Bonn und ist seit 2010 Sprecher der Kollegforschergruppe 1262 »Geschichte und Gesellschaft der Mamlukenzeit«.