Travis Bruce, "Constructing the Medieval Maritime State: Identity, Violence, and Connection in the Mediterranean" (Oxford UP, 2026)

Constructing the Medieval Maritime State: Identity, Violence, and Connection in the Mediterranean (Oxford

University Press, 2026) by Professor Travis Bruce explores how the

small medieval kingdom of Denia in Spain became a powerful maritime

state after the collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate. Its rulers built

authority, not only through war and seafaring raids but also by

connecting Denia to wider Mediterranean trade, diplomacy, and culture.

The rise and evolution of the taifa

of Denia is a powerful case study for understanding the construction of

medieval maritime states in the Mediterranean. Dr. Bruce situates Denia

within the collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate and explores how its rulers

forged legitimacy through identity formation, maritime violence, and

regional connectivity. Denia's identity was negotiated through