In spite of its relevance to contemporary events the history of public violence in Middle Eastern cities has not yet been the subject of systematic academic debate. Building on a workshop held at the Zentrum Moderner Orient Berlin in December 2011 this international conference explores the violent histories of some of these cities from the 18th to the late 20th centuries through a variety of actors, themes and historical processes.
Covering the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia papers feature crowds and elites; urban space, discipline, discourse and ritual performance; empire, colonialism, war and revolution.