Discourse on Universal History

Content

This work is a translation into Arabic of Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet’s history of the world, Discours sur l’histoire universelle (Discourse on universal history), in which the author argues for the divine right of kings. Bossuet’s book, originally published in 1681, is regarded as a classic statement defining the monarch as the embodiment of the state. Bossuet wrote the book for the benefit of the crown prince of France and based his argument on an interpretation of Biblical history. The work was translated by ‘Abd Allah al-Bustāni. It was commissioned for translation and publication by Bishop Yūsuf ibn Ilyās al-Dibs, primate of Lebanon and president of al-Da’irah al-‘Ilmiyah (The Scientific Society). It is difficult to understand why the bishop selected this work, since the political circumstances of the Ottoman Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. of the late-19th century differed radically from 17th century France. He may have endorsed it for its edifying content and judged it appropriate for teaching in schools under his authority. The work was printed at the Catholic Press in Beirut in 1882, which at the time was administered by Bishop al-Dibs. ‘Abd Allah al-Bustāni was a Maronite Catholic writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. and teacher of Arabic. Little is known of Shakir al-‘Awn, whose name appears on the title page as co-translator.

Extent and format

178 items

Physical characteristics

344 pages ; 24 centimeters

Written in

Arabic in Arabic script

Type

Book

Access & Reference

Original held at

Qatar National Library

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

12918

History of this record

Date(s)

1882 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Politics and governmentOld Testament BibleKing and ruler

Places

BeirutLebanon

People & organisations

Yūsuf ibn Ilyās DibsShākir ʻAwnJacques-Bénigne BossuetʻAbd Allāh Bustānī

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Cite this record in your research

Discourse on Universal History, Qatar National Library, 12918, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/qnlhc/12918> [accessed 14 May 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/qnlhc/12918

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