Description
Book SynopsisIn the nineteenth century The Dead Sea and the Tigris-Euphrates river system had great political significance: the one as a possible gateway for a Russian invasion of Egypt, the other as a potentially faster route to India. This is the traditional explanation for the presence of the international powers in the region. This important new book questions this view. Through a study of two important projects of the time - international efforts to determine the exact level of the Dead Sea, and Chesney's Euphrates Expedition to find a quicker route to India - Professor Goren shows how other forces than the interests of empire, were involved. He reveals the important role played by private individuals and establishes a wealth of new connections between the key players; and he reveals for the first time an important Irish nexus. The resulting work adds an important new dimension to our existing understanding of this period.
Trade Review'This is a work of exemplary scholarship - learned, reflective, and deeply considered.' - Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History, Kings College, University of London
Table of ContentsIntroduction PART I. Britain, Europe, and the Near East, 1830-50 Chapter 1 European military agents in the early 1830s: 'The early spies' Callier, Chesney and Lvov Chapter 2 The Euphrates Expedition, 1834-7 2.1 British interests and activities in Syria and Palestine 2.2 British military scientific enterprises in Palestine following the 1840 campaign PART II The Dead Sea and the Jordan Rift Valley, myth and research Chapter 3 Early explorers 3.1 Costigan, the first victim, and the sailing on the Dead Sea 3.2 ‘It appears to be considerably lower than the ocean’: Moore and Beek Chapter 4 'The chase after the level', Dead Sea and Jordan depression measurements 1837-1848: First barometrical measurements Chapter 5 Who should be crowned as the great discoverer? Publications and discussions following Moore’s and Beek’s report Chapter 6 Further measurements and triangulation Chapter 7 Conclusive explorations: Molyneux and Lynch Conclusive remarks Bibliography Name Index Index Locorum
