When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World by Hugh Kennedy

When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World by Hugh Kennedy

A "remarkable narrative history" (The Times) of the dynasty that ruled from Baghdad during Islam's greatest era The "golden age of Islam" in the eighth and ninth centuries was as significant to world history as the Roman Empire was in the first and second centuries. Islamic culture and enterprise stretched from Tunisia to India; its legacy influenced politics and society for years to come. From the founding of the city of Baghdad in AD 762 to the end of the ninth century, the rule of the Abbasid dynasty was the zenith of Islamic conquest and influence. The caliphs of Baghdad formed the model for succeeding Muslim regimes, from military conquests to court-sponsored poetry and literature, from building palaces to establishing court bureaucracies. Yet the true story of this fascinating empire has rarely been told outside the academic world. In this deftly woven narrative, Hugh Kennedy introduces us to the rich history and flourishing culture of the period and to the men and women of the palaces at Baghdad and Samarra - the caliphs, viziers, eunuchs and women of the harem - who fashioned the glorious days of the Arabian Nights. It is an epic story in every sense, with larger-than-life rulers, exotic slave girls, inventive tortures and enough court intrigue to frighten a Borgia.

Hugh Kennedy is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Professor of Middle Eastern History at the University of St Andrews. He is the author of the acclaimed Mongols, Huns and Vikings.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780306814358
ISBN 10	0306814358
Title	When Baghdad Ruled the Muslim World
Author	Hugh Kennedy
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Hachette Books
Year published	2005-05-01
Number of pages	376
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.