Incipient decline / translated and annotated by Joel L. Kraemer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ṭabarī, 838?-923.

Contributor:

Kraemer, Joel L., translator, contributor.

Series:

Ṭabarī, 838?-923. English ; Tārīkh al-rusul wa-al-mulūk. v. 34.

SUNY series in Near Eastern studies

Bibliotheca Persica

The history of al-Ṭabarī = Taʼrīkh al-rusul wa'l-mulūk ; v. 34

SUNY series in Near Eastern studies.

Bibliotheca Persica (Albany, N.Y.)

Standardized Title:

Tārīkh al-rusul wa-al-mulūk. Selections. English

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islamic Empire--History--750-1258.

Islamic Empire.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (282 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, [1989]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The events described in this volume took place during al-Ṭabarī's own time. Al-Ṭabarī was thus writing "contemporary history," and his narrative, often based on first-hand reports, is drawn in vivid and arresting detail. The volume portrays the summit of "the Sāmarrā period," following al-Mu'taṣim's transfer of the 'Abbāsid capital upstream from Baghdad to Samarra.Three caliphs are portrayed in this volume: al-Mu'tasim's son and successor, al-Wathiq; al-Wathiq's brother al-Mutawakkil; and al-Mutawakkil's son al-Muntaṣir. At this time the 'Abbāsid caliphs came under the dominant influence of the Turkish military elite. The crowning example of Turkish power and 'Abbāsid frailty was the dramatic assassination of al-Mutawakkil by Turkish officers within the precincts of his own palace. The Turks were afterward not only instrumental in raising al-Muntasir the caliphate, they also forced him to depose his two brothers as heirs apparent. Finally, they had al-Muntaṣir himself killed.During the period of al-Wāthiq and al-Mutawakkil, insurrections erupted in the center of the empire, and serious revolts broke out in distant provinces, including Africa and Armenia. The Byzantine raids on Damietta and Samosata were memorable events, and periodic Muslim forays were made into Byzantine territory. Prisoner exchanges between Muslims and Byzantines are reported in engaging detail on the basis of eyewitness testimony. The report of a prisoner release by a Shi'ite emissary to the Byzantine emperor contains a charming description of his visit to Constantinople and his audience with Michael III.A discounted price is available when purchasing the entire 39-volume History of al-Ṭabarī set. Contact SUNY Press for more information.

Contents:

Front Cover ; The History of al-Tabari: Editorial Board; The History of al-Tabari: Vol. XXXIV; Copyright; Preface; Table of Contents; Translator's Foreword; Abbreviations; Table 1. Genealogy of 'Abbasid Caliphs (A.D. Ninth Century); Table 2. Genalogy of the Khaqanids; Table 3. Genalogy of the Tahirids; Map 1. Armenia, Adharbayjan, Arran; Map 2. Samarra; The Caliphate of Harun al-Wathiq Abu Ja'far; The Events of the Year 227 (cont'd) (October 21, 841 - October 9, 842); The Events of the Year 228 (October 10, 842 - September 29, 843)

The Events of the Year 229 (September 30, 843 - September 17, 844)The Reason for al-Wathiq's Action against the Secretaries This Year; The Events of the Year 230 (September 18, 844 - September 6, 845); An Account of the Dispatch of Bugha al-Kabir to the Tribesmen; The Events of the Year 231 (September 7, 845 - August 28, 846); The Reason for the Liquidation of the Banu Sulaym and Its Consequences; The Reason for the Rebellion of the Baghdad Group and the Consequence of Their Action and That of Ahmad b. Nasr; The Reason for the Prisoner Exchange and How It Took Place

The Events of the Year 232 (August 28, 846 - August 16, 847)The Reason for Bugha the Elder's March against the Banu Numayr and What Took Place between Them; An Account of the Illness from Which al-Wathiq Died; A Portrayal of al-Wathiq, His Years, and the Extent of His Caliphate; Some Reports about al-Wathiq; The Caliphate of Ja'far al-Mutawakkil 'ala-llah; The Events of the Year 232 (cont'd) (August 28, 846 - August 16, 847); The Occasion of Ja'far's Becoming Caliph and the Period of His Caliphate; The Events of the Year 233 (August 17, 847 - July 7, 848)

The Reason for al-Mutawakkil's Anger at Muhammad b. al-Zayyat and Its ConsequencesThe Events of the Year 234 (August 5, 848 - July 26, 849); The Reason for Muhammad b. al-Ba'ith's Escape and the Consequences of His Affair; The Reason for Itakh's Pilgrimage This Year; The Events of the Year 235 (July 26, 849 - July 14, 850); How ltakh Was Killed; The Events of the Year 236 (July 15, 850 - July 4, 851); The Killing of Muhammad b. Ibrahim b. Mus'ab and How It Took Place; The Events of the Year 237 (July 5, 851 - June 22, 852)

The Cause of the Revolt by the Inhabitants of Armenia against Yusuf b. MuhammadWhat Was Done with Ahmad b. Nasr and the Result of This; The Events of the Year 238 (June 23, 852 - June 11, 853); Bugha's Role in the Defeat of Ishaq b. Isma'il; The Events of the Year 239 (June 12, 853 - June 1, 854); The Events of the Year 240 (June 2, 854 - May 21, 855); The Cause for the Revolt of the Inhabitants of Hims and Its Result; The Events of the Year 241 (May 22, 855 - May 9, 856); The Role of the Inhabitants of Hims in the Revolt against Muhammad b. 'Abdawayh and Its Consequence for Them

The Reason for Flogging 'lsa b. Ja'far b. 'Asim and the Caliph's Role in This

Notes:

Translation from extracts from: Tārīkh al-rusul wa-al-mulūk.

Includes index.

Bibliography: pages [225]-233.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

1-4384-0962-1

0-585-08455-6