The Collapse of the Eastern Mediterranean

As A ''Medieval Warm Period'' Prevailed In Western Europe During The Tenth And Eleventh Centuries The Eastern Mediterranean Region From The Nile To The Oxus Was Suffering From A Series Of Climatic Disasters Which Led To The Decline Of Some Of The Most Important Civilizations And Cultural Centres Of The Time. This Provocative Study Argues That Many Well-Documented But Apparently Disparate Events - Such As Recurrent Drought And Famine In Egypt Mass Migrations In The Steppes Of Central Asia And The Decline In Population In Urban Centres Such As Baghdad And Constantinople - Are Connected And Should Be Understood Within The Broad Context Of Climate Change. Drawing On A Wealth Of Textual And Archaeological Evidence Ronnie Ellenblum Explores The Impact Of Climatic And Ecological Change Across The Eastern Mediterranean In This Period To Offer A New Perspective On Why This Was A Turning Point In The History Of The Islamic World.