https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46031 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:09:50 GMT 2026-04-15T10:09:50Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64737 Title: The shift of policy in Malta on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict between 1964 and 1981 Abstract: The subject of this thesis is Malta’s Shift in Policy regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict. It is divided in four chapters. The period covered is 1967-1981. Research was conducted mainly in newspapers. The shift in policy is related closely to the change of government in 1971. Malta had just gained Independence and the process of decolonization was taking place, while globally the world was passing through the Cold War. The shift in policies that were undertaken under different administrations marked Malta’s position. This study also discusses the concept of neutrality as the principles of non-alignment and neutrality were important in the shaping of Malta’s foreign policy towards the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Mediterranean. The delicate diplomacy on the Arab-Israeli conflict and the various conferences held over the period under review are also discussed. Description: M.A.MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64737 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64736 Title: Women in power : from goddesses to mortals in the ancient Mediterranean : the case of Ptolemaic Egypt and Hasmonean Judea Abstract: Women in Power: From Goddesses to Mortals in the Ancient Mediterranean seeks to uncover and explore the relationship between the female figures presented as goddesses in myth and cult, and mortal women, in terms of powerful positions and leading roles. This research starts from the analysis of the representation of the female in Egyptian and Greek mythology and early Hebrew texts and moves on to investigate the power and leadership positions women could access in their context. The main protagonists of this research are the queens as their position puts them at a crossroads between sacred influence and political power. The exploration of the role of women in cult and state matters shall be conducted through two kingdoms in the Mediterranean – the Ptolemies in Egypt and the Hasmoneans in Judea during the period of the 3rd to the 1st century BCE. Case studies of particular queens from each monarchy will reveal if there is a correlation between the female powers and abilities in the divine realm and the real access to political leadership and authority women had in these particular areas of the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean approach acknowledges that the two regions were somehow influenced by the Greco-Roman culture but still bore their specific and local aspects in cultic and religious matters, and in the social distribution and position of women in their communities. Description: M.A.MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64736 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64734 Title: The Influence of the European External Action Service in the Mediterranean region : what tools does the EEAS have to resolve conflicts in the region? Abstract: The EU has proven to play an active role in international foreign policy. A statement that has been contested among politicians and scholars. A comprehensive account of the EU’s foreign policy is too broad for this thesis and requires an in-depth analysis, however the European External Action Service on its own is a good focus area. This thesis examines the role of the European External Action Service in the Mediterranean and the tools they use in order to resolve conflicts in the region or to maintain a form of stability. It focuses on EU foreign policy implementation by zooming in on three main conflict areas, namely Libya, Israel/Palestine and Iran. The choice of conflicts is the fact that two conflicts are still ongoing in the Mediterranean, while Iran is portrayed as the success story of the EEAS’s diplomacy in the Middle East. This thesis will discuss the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and the European Neighbourhood Policy with a focus on the EU’s tools to implement its foreign policy as well as the tools for conflict prevention. The EEAS is nearing its 10 years existence and this is the moment to see what has been done to focus on the major conflicts in the Mediterranean region. The importance of the neighbourhoods to the EU can not be underestimated, because of their geographic proximity they can contribute to or threaten the security, peace, stability in Europe. The main purpose of this thesis is to inform the reader about the mechanisms of the EEAS and its High representative and to acknowledge that we can not understand the whole migration issue without looking back at the countries of origin where chaos and conflicts prevail. This thesis focuses on secondary sources and also focuses on interviews with scholars and EEAS employees. Description: M.A.MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64734 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64728 Title: Trade and connectivity in the Mediterranean : the Marquis Gio’ Pio de Piro and his activities, c.1730-c.1750 : a study of his correspondence Abstract: Imagine taking a picture with a camera on a slow shutter speed: the picture captures those movements and changes occurring within a fixed composition during a short period of time. In a similar way, this dissertation too, with its focus on the Mediterranean, tries to map the progression of life within a select timeframe. Written in fulfilment of the Faculty of Arts postgraduate course in Mediterranean Studies, this dissertation revolves around the Mediterranean of the first half of the eighteenth century, and in order to be able to analyse such a broad subject matter, the viewpoint of an individual involved in trade is taken. Trade is singled out as an activity as it is by default associated with connectivity, due to the reality of Malta being an island. Gio’ Pio de Piro (1673-1752) is chosen as the protagonist of this study precisely because of his engagement in trade and his endeavours in commercial and societal affairs overseas. The methodology of microhistory enables such detailed scrutiny of the practices and customs of Gio’ Pio and provides more intimate means to understand how the Mediterranean was engaged with in the past: it is the aim of this dissertation, ultimately, to discern how the Mediterranean was lived, experienced and perceived by an individual in history. In this way, an alternative – but complementary – form to the traditional historiography of the Mediterranean of the first half of the eighteenth century is conveyed. This dissertation starts with an introductory chapter where the political and economic context of the first half of the eighteenth century is laid out, which is followed by a discussion of its historiography, as well as the methodology and the sources used. The second chapter analyzes the different types of networks Gio’ Pio formed part of, in terms of legal frameworks and social connectivity. It also takes into consideration the effect of geography, nature and the weather on Gio’ Pio’s life and his engagements. The third chapter is dedicated to the types of trade that Gio’ Pio partook in, divided into the categories of agriculture, slavery and luxury items. The final chapter considers Gio’ Pio as a consumer and analyzes his economic transactions, including his material culture, in particular art, jewellery and clothing. Description: M.A.MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/64728 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z