The Queen of Sheba's Gift: A History of the True Balsam of Matarea

Marcus Milwright

Published by Edinburgh University Press 2021

The Queen of Sheba's Gift

A History of the True Balsam of Matarea

Marcus Milwright

In the series Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780748668502

Overview
Contents

About this book

Tells the history of the precious balsam of Matarea: a substance traded for its weight in gold

Uses archaeological and textual sources to trace the cultivation of balsam trees from the 4th century BCE to the 17th century CE
Surveys the evidence for the symbolic value and practical applications of balsam in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe
Establishes the many uses of balsam in pre-modern medicine, religious ritual and royal ceremonies
Correlates modern botanical studies with historical sources in the identification of the trees that once grew in the plantation of Matarea in Egypt
Explores the complex socio-cultural factors that contributed to the sense of value accorded to rare commodities
Richly illustrated with over 50 line drawings, engravings, watercolours and photographs, drawn from sources ranging across time from medieval manuscripts to 20th-century photographs, depicting balsam trees, balsam resin receptacles, the compound of Matarea, maps and more

Using written sources, visual data and archaeological material, Marcus Milwright reconstructs the fascinating cultural history of the balsam tree from Jericho and En-Gedi to Egypt, and from ancient times to the 17th century. Miwright addresses the symbolic associations of balsam and the site of Matarea (where the last balsam tree died in 1615), the distribution of products from the tree through trade and diplomacy, and the applications of these products in medicine, ritual and the domestic environment. He also establishes links with resin-producing trees from the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

The balsam of Matarea was a substance famous as a panacea among physicians in the Middle East and Europe during the Antique and Medieval periods. It was used in many aspects of medieval life and is associated with figures such as the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and Cleopatra.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Figures Publicly Available Download PDF	vi
Permissions Publicly Available Download PDF	x
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Notes for the Reader Publicly Available Download PDF	xiii
Timeline Publicly Available Download PDF	xiv
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1 Travellers’ Tales: Experiencing Matarea Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	22
2 Resins in the Ancient World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	53
3 Balsam in Egypt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	87
4 The Balsam Tree and Balsam ‘Oil’ Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	118
5 Diplomacy and International Trade Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	153
6 Balsam in Medicine: From Greek to Arabic Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182
7 Balsam in Medieval and Early Modern Medicine Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	210
8 Religious and Royal Dimensions to Balsam Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	241
9 Conclusion Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	273
Glossary Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	285
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	288
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	326

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Audience: College/higher education;
Pages
- Main content: 352
Illustrations
- Other: 56 B/W illustrations
Keywords: Islamic Studies

eBook

Published: March 24, 2022
ISBN: 9780748668502