History of the Caucasus: Volume 2: In the Shadow of Great Powers

In the Shadow of Great Powers is the second volume of Christoph Baumers History of the Caucasus , covering the period from the Seljuk domination to the present day. It highlights the region's fragmented polities and the influence of regional great powers, including the Ottomans, Iran, and Russia. Despite Soviet rule, the Caucasian nations maintained their distinct identities, leading to internecine conflicts after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan gained independence due to its fossil fuel resources, while Georgia lost control over two provinces and remains dependent on Russian support.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In the Shadow of Great Powers is the second volume of Christoph Baumers comprehensive History of the Caucasus. Spanning from the Seljuk domination of the Southern Caucasus around 1050 CE to the present day, this volume delves into the intricate tapestry of the region's history. After the Kingdom of Georgia experienced a golden age of independent power and cultural flourishing in the 12th and early 13th centuries, the Caucasus fell victim to the Mongol invasion, leading to its disintegration into numerous smaller kingdoms, principalities, and khanates. Simultaneously, an Armenian kingdom in exile managed to maintain a precarious independence in Cilicia, present-day southern Turkey, by adopting a balanced diplomatic policy that navigated between the Mongol Il-Khanate, the Crusader states, and, to a lesser extent, the Mameluke Empire. This period marked four centuries of the North and South Caucasus being played as political pawns by the regional great powers, particularly the Ottomans, Iran, and Russia.

Following World War I, the South Caucasus briefly tasted independence, while its northern neighbors were engulfed in the Russian civil wars. However, by 1921, the Soviet Union had re-established Russian dominance over the entire region, effectively concealing it behind the Iron Curtain. Despite this, the Caucasian nations retained their distinct identities even under Soviet rule, giving rise to numerous internecine conflicts upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union. While the Russian Federation managed to maintain its supremacy over the North Caucasus, albeit at the cost of bloody wars and insurrections, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia succeeded in gaining more or less control over their destinies. Among these three republics, only Azerbaijan secured wide-ranging independence thanks to its abundant fossil fuel resources.

In conclusion, In the Shadow of Great Powers provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the historical trajectory of the Caucasus, shedding light on the complex interplay of power, culture, and identity that has shaped the region throughout its long and storied history.

Weight: 2354g
Dimension: 296 x 148 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755636280