History of Syria, 1099–1250: Conflict and Co-existence, University of St Andrews, April 1–2, 2016
This conference focuses on events, trends and personalities in Syria between 1099 and 1250, with a decided emphasis on the earlier half of that period. Its papers all bear on aspects of the Crusades, but are grouped into seven major themes. Naturally some deal with the major figures of the time – Nur al-Din, Saladin and Hülegü. But others look at their key advisers, such as ‘Imad al-Din al-Isfahani, the Qadi al-Fadil and al-Jilyani. Special attention will be paid to the multiple contacts between the Franks, the Muslims and the Oriental Christians, from the violence of war and how to wage it to visions of the afterlife and to the arts of peace, trade and diplomacy. New or neglected sources will be examined – Ibn Talha, al-Atharibi and al-Sulami. The cities of Gaza, Aleppo and Hama will be the focus of detailed examination. A closing round-table session, in which a panel of senior scholars will take questions from the audience, will be devoted to discussing the major themes and issues raised in the course of the conference.