Rivers in the Mediterranean have always been important locations of social formation, since they are resources of water, food and energy as well as natural borders and routes. They are furthermore spaces of interaction between sea, coast and hinterland.

Recent debates on globalization and the spatial turn have increased the interest into the study of transnational regions and human-nature relationships. In this context, the Mediterranean is often regarded as a natural given. However, global history has also changed and modified the idea of well-defined areas and cultures. In order to further develop Mediterranean studies the volume provides an interdisciplinary and cross-epochal perspective, focusing on Mediterranean rivers and their people.