The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World is a book written by French historian Fernand Braudel, first published in 1949. It is one of the foundational works of structuralist historical writing. The full title of the work is The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II (La Méditerranée et le Monde Méditerranéen à l’époque de Philippe II), and it had a transformative impact on modern social sciences and historiography.

In this work, Braudel does not treat the Mediterranean merely as a geographical area, but rather as a space of socio-economic, cultural, and political interaction. Reflecting the historical perspective of the Annales School, the book focuses not on the history of events, but on structures, the environment, the economy, and long-term historical processes. It asserts that historical events, societies, and individuals cannot be understood independently of geographic and structural conditions.

Structure and Content

The work is divided into three main parts, each addressing different layers of time and representing the varying speeds at which historical processes unfold. The English translation was published in two volumes.

Structural Time – The Role of the Environment

This section focuses on the relationship between humans and their environment. It evaluates the long-term effects of geography, climate, the physical environment, and natural resources. Mountains, plains, seas, islands, and climatic conditions are all considered essential factors in shaping the Mediterranean world.

Slowly Changing Structures – Shared Destinies and Collective Movements

This part examines economic, social, and cultural structures. Topics include population movements, trade routes, monetary systems, imperial structures, social classes, cities, and civilizations and their interactions. Braudel analyzes these elements in terms of long-term cycles and systems that operated across the Mediterranean.

Rapid Time – Events, Politics, and Individuals

The final section presents a traditional chronological history of political and military events. It details the wars, diplomatic relations, and alliances among the major Mediterranean powers—such as the Ottoman Empire, Spain, and Venice—during the 16th century. Major events like the Battle of Lepanto and the Siege of Malta are discussed in depth.

Method and Approach

Braudel proposes an innovative historiographical model that operates on three levels of time simultaneously:

• Longue Durée (Long-Term): Geographical and environmental structures.
• Medium Term: Rhythms of economic and social structures.
• Short Term: Political and military events.

His approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on geography, climatology, economics, demography, maritime history, and social anthropology. This multi-layered perspective offers not only a comprehensive understanding of the Mediterranean but also a new way of thinking about historical processes in general.

Significance of the Work

The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean World marked a paradigm shift in historical scholarship. Braudel’s structuralist model of history became a cornerstone of the Annales School and had a lasting influence on how history is written within the social sciences. Moving beyond traditional political history, the work emphasizes the determining power of environmental and structural factors.

Writing and Publication

Braudel wrote this work while interned in a prisoner-of-war camp in Algeria during World War II. Its first edition was published in 1949, followed by a revised and expanded edition in 1966. Today, it is considered a seminal text and a foundational reference for historians worldwide.