The Tides of History: From the Beginnings to Islam

Book Details

Title: The Tides of History: From the Beginnings to Islam

Author: Jacques Pirenne

Publication Date: 1962 (English edition)

Summary: This is the first volume of a multi-volume historical work that traces the course of world history from prehistoric times up to the rise of Islam. The author, a Belgian historian, proposes a unique theory of history based on the idea of long-term cycles or "tides" of civilization. He argues that historical development is not linear but moves in cycles of expansion and contraction, driven by geopolitical and economic factors. Pirenne's work is notable for its ambitious scope and its focus on the Mediterranean region as the central stage of ancient and early medieval history.

About the Author

Jacques Pirenne (1891–1972) was a Belgian historian and professor at the University of Brussels. He was the son of renowned medievalist Henri Pirenne, who is famous for his "Pirenne Thesis" concerning the end of classical antiquity. Like his father, Jacques Pirenne was known for his broad, synthetic historical theories. He specialized in ancient and medieval history and was also a legal historian. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Science, Letters, and Fine Arts of Belgium.