The History of al-Ṭabarī Vol. 13: The Conquest of Iraq, Southwestern Persia, and Egypt: The Middle Years of ʿUmar's Caliphate A.D. 636-642/A.H. 15-21

Forsideomslag
SUNY Press, 28. jul. 1989 - 251 sider

This volume deals with the aftermath of the decisive battle at al-Qādisiyyah described in the previous volume. First, the conquest of southern Iraq is consolidated; in rapid succession there follow the accounts of the battles at Burs and Bābil. Then in 16/637 the Muslim warriors make for the capital al-Mada'in, ancient Ctesiphon, which they conquer after a brief siege. The Persian king seeks refuge in Ḥulwān, leaving behind most of his riches, which are catalogued in great detail. In the same year the Muslim army deals the withdrawing Persians another crushing blow at the battle of Jalūlā'.

This volume is important in that it describes how the newly conquered territories are at first administered. As the climate of al-Mada'in is felt to be unwholesome, a new city is planned on the Tigris. This is al-Kūfah, which is destined to play an important role as the capital city of the fourth caliph, 'Alī. The planning of al-Kūfah is set forth in considerable detail, as is the building of its main features--the citadel and the great congregational mosque.

After this interlude there follow accounts of the conquests of a string of towns in northern Mesopotamia, which bring the Muslim fighters near the border with al-Jazirah. That region is conquered in 17/638. The history of its conquest is preceded by an account of the Byzantines' siege of the city of Ḥimṣ. Also in this year, 'Umar is recorded to have made a journey to Syria, from which he is driven back by a sudden outbreak of the plague, the so-called Plague of 'Amawās.

The scene then shifts back to southwestern Iran, where a number of cities are taken one after another. The Persian general al-Hurmuzān is captured and sent to Medina. After this, the conquest of Egypt--said to have taken place in 20/641--is recorded.<br/><br/>The volume concludes with a lengthy account of the crucial battle at Nihawand of 21/642. Here the Persians receive a blow that breaks their resistance definitively.

This volume abounds in sometimes very amusing anecdotes of man-to-man battles, acts of heroism, and bizarre, at times even miraculous events. The narrative style is fast-moving, and the recurrence of similar motifs in the historical expose lends them authenticity. Many of the stories in this volume may have begun as yarns spun around campfires. It is not difficult to visualize an early Islamic storyteller regaling his audience with accounts that ultimately found their way to the file on conquest history collected by Sayf ibn 'Umar, al-Ṭabarī's main authority for this volume.

A discounted price is available when purchasing the entire 39-volume History of al-Ṭabarī set. Contact SUNY Press for more information.

 

Indhold

The Events of the year 15 contd 636637
5
The Battle of Burs
6
The Battle of Babil
7
The Story of Bahurasir in the Month Dhu alHijjah of the Year 15 January 637 as Related by Sayf
10
The Events of the Year 16 637638
12
The Report Concerning alMadain alQuswa That Is That Part on the East Bank of the Tigris in Which the King Had His Residence
16
Mention of the Booty Amassed from the People of alMadain
28
Distributed among the People Present at Its Conquest Who Numbered as Sayf Claims in All Sixty Thousand
33
An Account of the Campaign of Khalid and Iyad
110
to the Conquest of alAhwaz and of Him Who Carried It Out
118
The Conquest of Tustar
127
The Raid into Pars
130
The Conquest of Ramhurmuz alSus and Tustar
136
The Conquest of alSus
146
What Happened between the Muslims and the Inhabitants of Jundaysabur
152
The Events of the Year 18 639640
155

The Report about the Battle of Jalula alWaqi ah
40
The Account of the Conquest of Takrit
58
The Account of the Conquest of Masabadhan
61
The Events of the Year 17 638639
65
The Account Is Resumed Once More by Sayf
70
The Redivision of the People into Irafahs
81
The Story of Hims When the Byzantine Commander Marched on Its Muslim Occupants
83
The Conquest of alJazirah
90
Umars fourney to Syria
96
Variant Features of the Story of the Plague of Amawas and the Uncertainty as to the Year That It Occurred
100
Sayfs Account of Umars Last Trip to Syria and How He Introduced New Ideas for the WeilBeing of the Muslims
105
The Events of the Year 19 640
164
The Events of the Year 20 640641
166
The Conquest of Misr and Alexandria
167
The Events of the Year 21 641642
183
The Account Is Resumed Once More by Sayf
204
The Poetry and Saj in This Volume
223
A Modern Description of Tustar
231
Bibliography of Cited Works
235
Index
239
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