Description
Book Synopsis: How a nineteenth-century lawsuit over the estate of a wealthy Tunisian Jew shines new light on the history of belonging
In the winter of 1873, Nissim Shamama, a wealthy Jew from Tunisia, died suddenly in his palazzo in Livorno, Italy. His passing initiated a fierce lawsuit over his large estate. Before Shamama's riches could be disbursed among his aspiring heirs, Italian courts had to decide which law to apply to his estate—a matter that depended on his nationality. Was he an Italian citizen? A subject of the Bey of Tunis? Had he become stateless? Or was his Jewishness also his nationality? Tracing a decade-long legal battle involving Jews, Muslims, and Christians from both sides of the Mediterranean, The Shamama Case offers a riveting history of citizenship across regional, cultural, and political borders.
On its face, the crux of the lawsuit seemed simple: To which state did Shamama belong when he died? But the case produced hundreds of pages in legal briefs and thousands of dollars in lawyers’ fees before the man's estate could be distributed among his quarrelsome heirs. Jessica Marglin follows the unfolding of events, from Shamama's rise to power in Tunis and his self-imposed exile in France, to his untimely death in Livorno and the clashing visions of nationality advanced during the lawsuit. Marglin brings to life a Dickensian array of individuals involved in the case: family members who hoped to inherit the estate; Tunisian government officials; an Algerian Jewish fixer; rabbis in Palestine, Tunisia, and Livorno; and some of Italy’s most famous legal minds.
Drawing from a wealth of correspondence, legal briefs, rabbinic opinions, and court rulings, The Shamama Case reimagines how we think about Jews, the Mediterranean, and belonging in the nineteenth century.
Details
Are you ready to delve into a fascinating journey through time and discover the intriguing history of citizenship in the Mediterranean? Look no further than "The Shamama Case: Contesting Citizenship across the Modern Mediterranean." This captivating book provides an unprecedented insight into a nineteenth-century lawsuit that determined the fate of a wealthy Tunisian Jew and raised profound questions about identity, belonging, and the law. Prepare to be enthralled as you explore the legal battle that spanned borders, cultures, and religions.
Step back in time to the winter of 1873 where the sudden death of Nissim Shamama in his lavish palazzo in Livorno, Italy, set the stage for a fierce courtroom battle. The stakes were high as Italian courts grappled with the complex issue of Shamama's nationality and which law should govern his substantial estate. Was he an Italian citizen, a subject of the Bey of Tunis, or had he become stateless? Could his Jewishness serve as his nationality? Experience the drama and intrigue as you trace the decade-long legal struggle that involved not only Jews but also Muslims and Christians from both sides of the Mediterranean.
The Shamama Case may seem like a simple matter of determining the state to which Shamama belonged when he passed away, but it yielded hundreds of pages of legal briefs and incurred substantial legal fees. Author Jessica Marglin skillfully brings the story to life, taking you on a remarkable journey from Shamama's ascent to power in Tunis to his self-imposed exile in France, his untimely demise in Livorno, and the clash of nationalities witnessed during the lawsuit. Encounter a diverse cast of characters, including family members vying for the estate, Tunisian government officials, an Algerian Jewish fixer, rabbis from various regions, and renowned legal minds from Italy. Each person adds depth and complexity to this Dickensian tale.
Drawing extensively from an impressive range of sources, including correspondence, legal briefs, rabbinic opinions, and court rulings, "The Shamama Case" reconstructs the past and challenges traditional perspectives on Jews, the Mediterranean, and notions of belonging in the nineteenth century. Immerse yourself in this thought-provoking narrative that transcends borders and invites you to contemplate the intricate relationship between citizenship, identity, and the law. Begin your journey today and open your mind to a wealth of knowledge.
Ready to embark on your historical adventure? Click here to grab your copy of "The Shamama Case: Contesting Citizenship across the Modern Mediterranean" and discover a world of captivating stories!
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