Crisis and continuity at the Abbasid court [electronic resource] : formal and informal politics in the caliphate of al-Muqtadir (295-320/908-32) / by Maaike van Berkel ... [et al.].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Berkel, Maaike van, author.

Contributor:

Berkel, Maaike van.

Series:

Islamic history and civilization ; v. 102.

Islamic history and civilization. Studies and texts, 0929-2403 ; v. 102

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Abbasids.

Islamic Empire--History--750-1258.

Islamic Empire.

Islamic Empire--Court and courtiers.

Muqtadir Billāh, Caliph, 895-932.

Muqtadir Billāh.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (276 p.)

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The reign of al-Muqtadir (295-320/908-32) is a crucial and controversial epoch in the history of the Abbasid empire. Al-Muqtadir’s regime has traditionally been depicted as one of decline, when the political power of the caliphate and the lustre of its capital began to crumble. This book not only offers a substantial investigation of the idea and reality of decline, but also provides new interpretations of the inner workings of the court and the empire. The authors, four specialists of Abbasid history, explore the formal and informal power relationships that shaped politics at the court, involving bureaucrats, military, harem, courtiers and of course al-Muqtadir himself. A study of the topography of Baghdad completes this vivid picture of the court and its capital.

Contents:

pt. 1. Histories and stories

pt. 2. Scribes and soldiers

pt. 3. Women and courtiers.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

90-04-25270-3

OCLC:

854521063

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004252707 DOI