A Vision of a Historian: Hanania al-Munayyir in al-Durr al-Marsuf fi Hawadith al-Shuf

Abstract

This article introduces a Greek Catholic priest, a historian from Lebanon, Hanania al-Munayyir (1756-1823) and his book al-Durr al-Marsuf fi Hawadith al-Shuf (The paved Treasures in the Events of al-Shuf). Al-Munayyir will be discussed as a chronicler who followed the yearly sequence in relating the events, as a neo chronicler who interpreted and gave his opinion, and as an analytical historian whose thematic approach, versatility, and understanding of the history of Lebanon in its local, regional and international context reflect Christian historical writing in 18th century Bilad al-Sham. Al-Munayyir was able to rid himself of the confines of his religious community and to view Lebanon as a unique, but fragile entity continuously vulnerable to internal strife and external interference in its affairs.