The History of al-Tabari Vol. 34 by Joel L Kraemer

The History of al-Tabari Vol. 34 by Joel L Kraemer

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.

Kraemer, Joel L.: - Joel L. Kraemer, John Henry Barrows Professor Emeritus in the Divinity School and the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago, is the author of Humanism in the Renaissance of Islam and Philosophy in the Renaissance of Islam, and is the editor of Perspectives on Maimonides. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780887068751
ISBN 10	0887068758
Title	The History of al-Tabari Vol. 34
Author	Joel L Kraemer
Series	Suny Series In Near Eastern Studies
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	State University of New York Press
Year published	1989-10-05
Number of pages	282
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.