Office of Communication and Public Affairs

History lecture series concludes
Andrea Flood ‘03

On April 4, Ariel Salzmann, a professor from New York University’s department of Middle Eastern Studies presented a lecture titled, “Braudel revisited: The Ottomans and the Early Modern Mediterranean.” Her lecture focused on the history of Ottoman Empire, specifically as seen through the lens of the important 20th century French historian Fernand Braudel. The presentation was the last in the history department’s spring lecture series and was also sponsored by the Center for Arab and Islamic studies.

Salzmann explained Braudel’s role as an early modern historian and questioned, “What’s so important about his work?” Braudel is responsible for writing a two-volume work about the Mediterranean world in the age of King Philip II. Salzmann discussed how we can understand this compilation as having three distinct parts. Together, his narrative helps illustrate broader historical links and analyzes social change and the development of cities.

The first section of Braudel’s work looks at the Mediterranean as a unity of varied and disparate ecological sites. Salzmann described this writing as, “very poetic, Braudel gives his own very beautiful narration of these events.” The second component of Braudel’s compilation discusses secular and economic trends and tries to arrive at a notion of a Mediterranean-wide economy. The third and final section of this work includes more traditionally historical events, such as descriptions of battles, conflicts and the role of individuals.

“This work is very unusual because of the way Braudel structured the narrative…in the end there are key concepts he imparts, specifically the notion of the long periods of history,” Salzmann said. The intersection of these various planes of history allow for a new understanding of the Mediterranean.

Salzmann also discussed how the emerging school of world systems analysis has been an outgrowth of Braudel’s studies. This field looks at the development of capitalism, its features and its rhythms. Salzmann also explained various critiques of Braudel’s work.

	Blueprints - May 2003 Edition
Homepage Back Archives	Blueprints - May 2003 Edition

		History lecture series concludes Andrea Flood ‘03 On April 4, Ariel Salzmann, a professor from New York University’s department of Middle Eastern Studies presented a lecture titled, “Braudel revisited: The Ottomans and the Early Modern Mediterranean.” Her lecture focused on the history of Ottoman Empire, specifically as seen through the lens of the important 20th century French historian Fernand Braudel. The presentation was the last in the history department’s spring lecture series and was also sponsored by the Center for Arab and Islamic studies. Salzmann explained Braudel’s role as an early modern historian and questioned, “What’s so important about his work?” Braudel is responsible for writing a two-volume work about the Mediterranean world in the age of King Philip II. Salzmann discussed how we can understand this compilation as having three distinct parts. Together, his narrative helps illustrate broader historical links and analyzes social change and the development of cities. The first section of Braudel’s work looks at the Mediterranean as a unity of varied and disparate ecological sites. Salzmann described this writing as, “very poetic, Braudel gives his own very beautiful narration of these events.” The second component of Braudel’s compilation discusses secular and economic trends and tries to arrive at a notion of a Mediterranean-wide economy. The third and final section of this work includes more traditionally historical events, such as descriptions of battles, conflicts and the role of individuals. “This work is very unusual because of the way Braudel structured the narrative…in the end there are key concepts he imparts, specifically the notion of the long periods of history,” Salzmann said. The intersection of these various planes of history allow for a new understanding of the Mediterranean. Salzmann also discussed how the emerging school of world systems analysis has been an outgrowth of Braudel’s studies. This field looks at the development of capitalism, its features and its rhythms. Salzmann also explained various critiques of Braudel’s work.