The Caucasus: History between East and West

Situated between the Black and Caspian Seas, the Caucasus is a place where East meets West, a juncture where multiple faiths, languages, and nationalities collide. Its peoples have endowed the world with rich contributions to culture and art, while its strategic location has often placed it at the heart of Great Power intrigues, from the Persians and the Byzantines to the Russians and the Turks. This course examines this land of storied histories, mountainous landscapes, ethnic conflicts, and geopolitical entanglements. Its scope is largely focused on the 18th century to the present day but will also provide background on the rise of the region’s distinctive ethnic and national identities from earlier centuries. Students will critically explore the consequential historical events and processes that shaped the Caucasus, with special attention placed on the entrance of Russia into the region. They will also learn about the actors behind these pivotal events – from saints and shahs to tsars and revolutionaries to commanders and commissars.