Middle East Historical Fiction Role Call!

mayamolly · Aug 2, 2009

I'm just wondering who here is writing about/has written about the Middle East. Please reply with your story (generally), region and time period!!

My WIP is based on the Book of Esther and the court of Xerxes the Great in Achaemenid Persia-- about 500 BCE. I'm focusing my research so far on history of the Persians and the Jews, although I need to learn a lot more about ancient Babylonians as well... I'm kinda hoping someone who replies can direct me to resources. (I have a good feeling that Ishtar's Gate can help!)

Let's hear it for a region in which even 2000 years ago is not particularly ancient history

mayamolly · Aug 2, 2009

Erg, that should be "Roll Call," shouldn't it? (And probably "Middle Eastern." I CAN write, really.)

Doogs · Aug 2, 2009

My Belisarius novel involves the Roman/Byzantine Empire's interactions with the Persians, specifically from 529 A.D. through 532 and the conclusion of the "Endless Peace" (which lasted seven years!).

For the purposes and scope of my story, the Persians are mostly relegated to the status of "enemy". They're only going to be a concern for the first third of the novel, when they give Belisarius his first great victory, then his first crushing defeat. After that there's the Endless Peace and Belisarius goes west. If I ever get to tell the rest of his story, and the back-and-forth between Constantinople and Persia in 540-543, there'd be a lot more opportunity for nuance.

Libbie · Aug 2, 2009

mayamolly said:
I'm just wondering who here is writing about/has written about the Middle East. Please reply with your story (generally), region and time period!!

Ooh, me! Me! Egypt, 18th dynasty (so, about 3500 years ago). It's the story of Hatshepsut's parents. I intended to write just about Hatshepsut's life, but I found that a pretty interesting story wanted to come out of her family first. I still intend to do the Hatshepsut book, but not immediately after finishing my WIP. I need a break from Egypt for a while.

My WIP is based on the Book of Esther and the court of Xerxes the Great in Achaemenid Persia-- about 500 BCE. I'm focusing my research so far on history of the Persians and the Jews, although I need to learn a lot more about ancient Babylonians as well... I'm kinda hoping someone who replies can direct me to resources. (I have a good feeling that Ishtar's Gate can help!)

That sounds great! I love novels about ancient people, and the Middle East is one of my favorite regions for such fiction.

lkp · Aug 3, 2009

I was reading this and thought, "How nice --- a thread for them," and then realized I belong here too. My WIP is largely set in the kingdom of Jerusalem during the Second Crusade.

I'm also rereading right now Gillian Bradshaw's Horses of Heaven set in what I think would be modern-day Afghanistan in the aftermath of Alexander the Great.

girlyswot · Aug 3, 2009

I have a (currently on hiatus) WIP set in ancient Ugarit and a short story set in an SF/F version of a city that is possibly Babylon (though unnamed in the story).

Libbie · Aug 3, 2009

Sweet. One of my characters goes and tromps around Ugarit for a while. It was a fascinating place.

ishtar'sgate · Aug 3, 2009

mayamolly said:
I need to learn a lot more about ancient Babylonians as well... I'm kinda hoping someone who replies can direct me to resources. (I have a good feeling that Ishtar's Gate can help!)

My two favorite research books are Everyday Life in Babylon and Assyria by Georges Contenau and Babylon by Joan Oates. Both books are available from Amazon.com. I have several others as well but those two are the best IMO.

mayamolly · Aug 4, 2009

I'm glad a few others are here sweating it out in the Middle East! Now we should have a party... I'll bring the falofel and kababs. (Oh, and a serious offer-- if any of you need resources on Israel or travel to my area, PM me! I live in Northern Israel. I hike to Crusader and Arab castles on the weekend

)

Ishtar's Gate-- thanks for the suggestions! I'll certainly try to find those books... just from a quick "search inside" on Amazon, they seem really useful.

Also, I googled Ugarit. That seems like a fascinating story setting!

RichardB · Aug 4, 2009

I do indeedy have one! Saint Mark's Body is the story of the 827-828 AD transportation of the titular relics from Alexandria to Venice. Naturally, much of the tale takes place in Alexandria. I also take the story to Constantinople for a couple of chapters, to Caliph al-Ma'mun's court in Baghdad for a few games of shatranj, and on a camel ride across the Sinai following an unscheduled crash landing in Gaza (winter voyage, you see... very tough...)

lkp · Aug 5, 2009

mayamolly said:
I'm glad a few others are here sweating it out in the Middle East! Now we should have a party... I'll bring the falofel and kababs. (Oh, and a serious offer-- if any of you need resources on Israel or travel to my area, PM me! I live in Northern Israel. I hike to Crusader and Arab castles on the weekend )

Have you ever been to al-Lawza, fairly near Jerusalem? Also fairly tiny, so I'm not sure it would be worth a hike.

mayamolly · Aug 5, 2009

lkp said:
Have you ever been to al-Lawza, fairly near Jerusalem? Also fairly tiny, so I'm not sure it would be worth a hike.

Hmm, I don't think so. What kind of site is it? "Fairly near Jerusalem" probably means the West Bank, so I doubt I can make it there.

mewoone · Aug 5, 2009

girlyswot said:
I have a (currently on hiatus) WIP set in ancient Ugarit and a short story set in an SF/F version of a city that is possibly Babylon (though unnamed in the story).

if you are interested in the Babylon you can see this ...( the whole kingdoms until Babylon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrmTgu6xeY&feature=related

BardSkye · Aug 5, 2009

I'll stick my oar in here, even though I've been stalled for a while. I'm in Jerusalem about 10-4 BC. And on the Silk Road from central China as well.

Middle East Historical Fiction Role Call!

mayamolly

I haz a pomegranate

mayamolly

I haz a pomegranate

Doogs

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

lkp

girlyswot

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

mayamolly

I haz a pomegranate

RichardB

THIS! IS!! VENNNNNICE!!!!

lkp

mayamolly

I haz a pomegranate

mewoone

BardSkye

Barbershoppin' Harmony Whore