Converting Rulers - Global Patterns, 14501850

Why did so many rulers throughout history risk converting to a new religion brought by outsiders? In his award-winning Unearthly Powers (2019), Alan Strathern set out a theoretical framework for understanding the relation between religion and political authority based on a distinction between two kinds of religion - immanentism and transcendentalism - and the different ways they made monarchy sacred. This ambitious and innovative companion volume tests and substantiates this approach using case studies from Kongo (1480-1530), Japan (1560-1614), Ayutthaya (Thailand, 1660-1690) and Hawaii (1800-1830). Through in-depth analysis of key turning points in the careers of warlords, chiefs and kings, a tapestry of unique characters and stories is brought to light. However, these examples ultimately demonstrate that global patterns of conversion can be established to illuminate the religious geography of the world today.

List of contents

List of Figures and Maps; Preface and Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Part I. Concepts: Introduction; 1. Theoretical Equipment; Part II. Cases: 2. The Miracles of Kongo, 1480–1530; 3. Money, Magic, and Mastery in the Conversion of the Daimyo of Japan, 1560–1580; 4. The Defeat of Christianity in Japan, 1560–1614; 5. Reclining Buddhas and Restless Missionaries: Narai of Ayutthaya and the Encounter with Christianity, 1660–1690; 6. Repulsion from Siam: The Revolt of 1688; 7. Hawaii: The Road to Nowhere, 1800–1821; 8. Hawaii: The High Path to Conversion 1821–1830; Part III. Global Patterns: 9. Hinduism and Confucianism and the Question of Transcendence; 10. Explaining Global Patterns of Ruler Conversion; Appendix; Glossary of Theoretical Terms; Bibliography; Index.

About the author

Alan Strathern is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Oxford.

Summary

Why did so many rulers throughout history risk converting to a new religion brought by outsiders? Building on his previous work through in-depth analysis of key turning points, Strathern deploys rich theoretical arguments to understand why warlords, chiefs and kings across the world did or did not convert to Christianity.

Product details

• Authors: Alan Strathern, Alan (University of Oxford) Strathern, Strathern Alan
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 30.09.2024
• EAN: 9781108477161
• ISBN: 978-1-108-47716-1
• No. of pages: 498
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Antiquity; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, History of Ideas, RELIGION / History, HISTORY / World, HISTORY / Social History, c 1800 to c 1900, General & world history, History of Religion, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, c 1000 CE to c 1500, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, General and world history, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, c 1500 to c 1600, C 1600 To C 1700, Early 19th century c 1800 to c 1850, C 1700 To C 1800, Later 15th century c 1450 to c 1499