The History of al-Tabari Vol. 32: The Reunification of the 'Abbasid Caliphate: The Caliphate of al-Ma'mun A.D. 813-833/A.H. 198-218The 20 years' caliphate of al-Ma'mum began as a stormy period in Middle Eastern history; after the comparatively peaceful reign of his father Harun al-Rashid, the caliphate was plunged into violent civil warfare in both Iraq and Arabia, involving the sons of al-Rashid, rivals for the supreme authority, and various other sectarian rebels and aspirants for power. Yet once peace was secured and the caliphate lands united once more, al-Ma'mum's reign settled down into one of the most exciting and innovative of the mediaeval caliphate. The Caliph himself was a highly cultivated man who possessed a keen intellectual curiosity and who interested himself in the practical sciences, astronomy and mathematics. He also encouraged the translating of Greek philosophical, scientific and medical works from Greek and Syriac into Arabic and involved himself in theological controversies in which the dialectical techniques of the Greek thinkers were to figure. Tabari's history of this period constitutes a prime source for political and military history. His racy and vivid style, including many verbatim conversations and documents, brings the Caliphate of al-Ma'mum very much alive. A discounted price is available when purchasing the entire 39-volume History of al-Tabari set. Contact SUNY Press for more information. |
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Contents
The Caliphate of alMamun | 9 |
The spread of the revolt to Mecca under Husayn b Hasan | 19 |
Harthamah b Ayans recapture of alKufah and the defeat | 27 |
The proclamation in Mecca of the Alid Muhammad b Jafar | 30 |
The Events of the Year 201 816817 | 46 |
The Events of the Year 202 817818 I | 66 |
AlMamuns decision to leave Marw and to travel westwards | 78 |
Various items of information | 92 |
Abdallah b Tahirs march into Egypt to combat | 159 |
Anecdote in which Abdallah is cleared of suspected | 169 |
The Events of the Year 215 830831 I | 184 |
The Events of the Year 218 833834 I | 198 |
AlMamuns interrogation at alRaqqah of certain scholars | 204 |
The Events of the Year 211 826827 168 | 211 |
Ishaqs despatch of the remaining recalcitrants to the Caliph | 220 |
AlMamuns suspicious attitude towards the Syrians | 233 |
Various appointments to governorships in the outlying part | 106 |
Tahir b alHusayns epistle of advice to his son Abdallah | 128 |
The Events of the Year 207 822823 I | 130 |
Military operations in Azerbaijan against the rebel Babak | 144 |
AlMamun and Kulthum alAttabi | 253 |
258 | |
267 | |
Common terms and phrases
Abbasid Abdallah Abi Khalid Abu Ishaq according Actually affairs Ahmad al-'Abbas al-Fadl al-Hasan al-Kamil al-Ma'mun al-Mahdi appointed Arabic army asked authority Azdi Baghdad Bishr bring brother brought Caliph called City Commander concerning continued created death died dirhams Egypt encamped entered Faithful father favor forces gave give given God's governor grant guarantee hand Hence Humayd Ibn Abi Tahir Ibn al-Athir Ibrahim Iraq Ishaq Islam Ja'far Khurasan killed Kufah Lands lead letter marched means Mecca mentioned Mu'jam Muhammad Musa night official ordered peace Pellat Persian person present Qur'an reached recited regard remained replied returned round Sa'id Sahl seeking seized sent side Sourdel Strange summoned Ta'rikh things thousand told took town troops Uyun worship wrote Ya'qubi Yaqut