ABSTRACT
The Mediterranean will never cease to engage the attention of scholars or to present to historians, politicians, political analysts, sociologists, anthropologists and a host of other specialists from diverse disciplines an immense challenge as they try to comprehend the many facets presented by this entity made up of mixed interests and deep divisions; of points of convergence and points of divergence, of friendship and enmities; common destinies and disparate opinions; hopes and delusions; a veritable crucible of diverse civilizations, religions and cultures.
