The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish Military of Samarra (A.H. 200-275/815-889 C.E.)The Breaking of a Thousand Swords provides a portrait of the Samarran Turks as members of a community with a specific and complex history in the early medieval Islamic world. It considers: the encounter of the Turks as rough, non-Muslim outsiders, with the sedentary, urbane world of Baghdad; the closely related encounter of the Turks with the Islamic tradition in its urban, scholarly guise; the settlement of the Turks, in Baghdad then in Samarra, through the use of land grants and appointments to office; the impact upon the affairs of the Turkish community of not only a military ranking but of a socio-political hierarchy as well; the construction by the Turkish elite of an elaborate network of patronage and support, both within urban Iraq and throughout the provinces (Egypt in particular); and the emergence, and impact, of factionalism within the community. |
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Common terms and phrases
Abbasid Abnā Abū Abū Isḥāq administrative Aḥmad ibn al-Fath al-Ma'mūn al-Mu'tasim al-Mutawakkil Al-Țabarī al-Ya'qūbī Allāh appears appointed Arab argues army Ashinās assigned authority Baghdad Bosworth brother Bughā Buldān caliph campaign Central Chapter cited clear close command concerns court Crisis death Decline describes discussion earlier early efforts Egypt elite evidence example Finally forces four given governor Ibn Taghrībirdī Ibn Țūlūn imperial indicates individuals initial Iraq Islamic ītākh Kennedy Khurasan Kraemer land largely later leaders mentions military Muḥammad Mūsā officers origins passage perhaps period political position present presumably probably prominent provides provinces question rank reference regarding regiments reign relations remained reports response Revolt Saliba Samarra Samarran Turks says seems sent slave soldiers sources specifically standing Storm suggests Ta’rīkh term Töllner troops Turkish Turks Waines Wasīf
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish Military of Samarra (A.H. 200-275/815-889 C.E.) SUNY series in Medieval Middle East History Suny Series, Medieval Middle E |
| Author | Matthew Gordon |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | SUNY Press, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0791447960, 9780791447963 |
| Length | 303 pages |
| Subjects | › › History / Europe / Medieval History / Middle East / General History / Military / General History / Military / Wars & Conflicts (Other) Technology & Engineering / Military Science |
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