Classic ships of Islam : : from Mesopotamia to the Indian Ocean / / by Dionisius A. Agius.

• Superior document: Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 1, The Near and Middle East, v. 92
• Author: Agius, Dionisius A.
• Year of Publication: 2008
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Handbuch der Orientalistik. Nahe und der Mittlere Osten ; 92. Bd.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (529 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

This book charts the development of Islamic ships and boats in the Western Indian Ocean from the seventh to the early sixteenth century with reference to earlier periods. It utilizes mainly Classical and Medieval Arabic sources with iconographical evidence and archaeological finds. Maritime activities in the region resulted in a cross fertilization, not only of goods but also of ideas and culture which gave an underlying cohesion to the Arabian, Persian and Indian maritime peoples. This study has led to a re-evaluation of that maritime culture, showing that it was predominantly Persian and Indian, with Chinese influence, throughout the Islamic period until the coming of the Portuguese, as reflected in nautical terminology and technology.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter One A Journey into the Past / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Two Early Maritime Contacts / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Three Trade and Port Towns of the Classical and Medieval Islamic Period / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Four Primitive Boats and Bronze Age Construction Features: Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Five Construction Features of Perso-Arabian and West Indian Ships in Medieval Islam / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Six Seamanship / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Seven The Ship at Sea: Trade and Ḥajj / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Eight The Ship at Sea: Naval Incursions / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Nine General Boat and Ship-Terms / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Ten Classic Ships / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Eleven River Boats and Deep-Sea Vessels: Types and Functions / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Twelve Warships and Transport Vessels / Dionisius A. Agius -- Chapter Thirteen Language and Culture Contact: Terminology and Technology / Dionisius A. Agius -- Appendix A / Dionisius A. Agius -- Appendix B / Dionisius A. Agius -- Glossary and Index of General and Maritime Terms / Dionisius A. Agius -- Bibliography of Works Cited / Dionisius A. Agius -- List of Illustrations, Tables, Figures and Maps / Dionisius A. Agius -- Main Index / Dionisius A. Agius.