Writers and rulers

Auteurs

• Beatrice Gruendler

Paramètres

• Manuels
• Manuels universitaires

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Literature in the pre-modern Near East served as a vital medium for conveying ethical and ideological concerns to rulers while ensuring the authors' subsistence and status. Writers often counterbalanced the power of royal patrons by aligning themselves with religious law and ethical ideals, thus creating a “contract” that shaped the ruler's public image. They sometimes employed direct criticism through curses or indirect commentary via historical examples and satire. To achieve their goals, authors adapted existing literary genres—such as lament, praise qaside, quatrain, ghazal, epistle, ahkam sultaniyya, historiography, mirror for princes, and shadow play—or even created new forms. This dynamic allowed authors to gain material benefits and fame, while rulers showcased their culture and governance, hoping to secure a lasting legacy. Nine essays delve into these themes across various historical contexts from the ninth to the seventeenth centuries, covering the geographical span between Egypt and Iran. The work highlights the significant public role of Arabic and Persian literature, offering detailed studies for specialists while making the relevance of this literature to political leadership accessible to a broader audience. A general introduction and two extensive indices facilitate navigation for non-specialists.

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• Année de publication: 2004