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Tenth Edition
Philip K Hitti
CONTENTS PART I THE PRE-ISLAMIC AGE CHAPTER I T H E A R A B S AS S E M I T E S : A R A B I A T H E C R A D L E OF T H E S E M I T I C
RACE
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Claims on our interest—Modern explorations—Ethnic relationship; the Semites—Arabia, the cradle of the Semites. C H A P T E R II THE ARABIAN PENINSULA .
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The setting of the stage—Climatic conditions—Vegetation—The datepalm—Fauna—The Arabian horse—The camel. C H A P T E R III BEDOUIN L I F E
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The nomad—Razzia— Religiousness—The clan—'Asabiyah—The sheikh.
CHAPTER IV EARLY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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South Arabians—1. Relations with Egypt—Sinaitic copper—Frankincense—2. Relations with the Sumerians and Babylonians—3. Assyrian penetration—4. Neo-Babylonian and Persian relations: Tayma'— 5. Contacts with the Hebrews—Biblical association: Old Testament references—6. In classical literature—Roman expedition—The aromatic land—Gold. CHAPTER THE
V
S A B A E A N A N D O T H E R S T A T E S OF S O U T H
ARABIA
The South Arabians as merchants—South Arabic inscriptions—I. The Sabaean kingdom—Ma'rib dam—2. The Minaean kingdom—3. Qataban and Hadramawt—4. The first Himyarite kingdom—The Semitic origin of the Abyssinians—The castle of Ghumdan—The Romans displace the Arabians in maritime trade—5. The second Himyarite kingdom—Christianity and Judaism in al-Yaman—The period of Abyssinian rule—The breaking of Ma'rib dam—The Persian period.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER VI
T H E NABATAEAN AND OTHER PETTY KINGDOMS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL ARABIA . . . . - 6 7 1. The Nabataeans—The Sinaitic origin of the alphabet—Petra—2. Palmyrena—Odaynath and Zenobia—3. The Ghassanids—The Syro-Arab kingdom at its height—Al-Mundhir, son of al-Harith—Fall of the banuGhassan—4. The Lakhmids—Al-Hirah at the height of its power1—The royal family Christianized—5. Kindah.
CHAPTER VII AL-HIJAZ ON THE EVE OF THE RISE OF ISLAM . . The Jahiliyah days—The 'days of the Arabians'—The Basus War—The Day of Dahis—North Arabic in its influence as a language—The heroic age—Poetry—The ode in the classical period—The Mu'allaqat—The pre- Islamic poet—Bedouin character as manifested in poetry—Bedouin heathenism—Solar aspects—Jinn—The daughters of Allah—The Makkan Ka'bah—Allah—The three cities of al-Hijaz: al-Ta'if— Makkah— AI-Madinah—Cultural influences in al-Hijaz: 1. Saba'—2. Abyssinia— 3. Persia—4. Ghassanland—5. The Jews.
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PART II THE RISE OF ISLAM AND THE CALIPHAL STATE CHAPTER VIII MUHAMMAD
T H E PROPHET OF A L L A H
CHAPTER THE
KORAN
THE BOOK
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123
IX
OF A L L A H
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CHAPTER
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ISLAM T H E R E L I G I O N OF SUBMISSION TO T H E W I L L OF A L L A H
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Dogmas and beliefs—The five pillars: I. Profession of faith—2. Prayer— 3. Almsgiving—4. Fasting—5. Pilgrimage—Holy War. CHAPTER PERIOD OF CONQUEST,
632-61 .
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EXPANSION
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A N D COLONIZATION, A . D .
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The orthodox caliphate: A patriarchal age—Arabia conquers itself— The economic causes of the expansion.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER XII T H E CONQUEST O F SYRIA
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Khalid's perilous march—The decisive battle of Yarmuk—The administration of the new territory. CHAPTER
XIII
A L - ' I R A Q AND PERSIA CONQUERED
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CHAPTER XIV EGYPT, TRIPOLIS AND BARQAH ACQUIRED
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The library of Alexandria. CHAPTER XV T H E ADMINISTRATION O F T H E N E W POSSESSIONS
'Umar's constitution—The army—The so-called Arab civilizationCharacter and achievements of the orthodox caliphs. CHAPTER XVI THE
STRUGGLE
CALIPHATE
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BETWEEN
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' A L I AND MU'AWIYAH
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FOR T H E
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The elective caliphate—The caliphate of 'Ali—Periods of the great caliphates—The caliphate, a pre-eminently political office.
PART III THE UMAYYAD AND 'ABBASID EMPIRES CHAPTER XVII THE
UMAYYAD
DYNASTY
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CALIPHATE:
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MU'AWIYAH
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ESTABLISHES
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A
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The claimants to the caliphate disposed of—Mu'awiyah, the model Arab sovereign. CHAPTER XVIII H O S T I L E R E L A T I O N S WITH T H S BYZANTINES
The Mardaites.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER XIX FAS*
T H E Z E N I T H O F U M A Y Y A D P O W E R
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An energetic viceroy: al-Hajjaj—Conquests 'beyond the river'—Conquests in India—Against the Byzantines—Conquests in northern Africa and south-western Europe—Nationalizing the state—Fiscal and other reforms—Architectural monuments. CHAPTER
XX
POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION A N D SOCIAL CONDITIONS UNDER
T H E UMAYYADS
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Military organization—Royal life—The capital—Society—Clients— Dhimmis—'The covenant of 'Umar'—Slaves—Al-Madinah and Makkah.
CHAPTER XXI INTELLECTUAL ASPECTS OF L I F E UNDER THE UMAYYADS
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Al-Basrah and al-Kufah—Arabic grammar—Religious tradition and canon law—History-writing—St. John of Damascus—Kharijites— Murji'ites—The Shi'ah—Oratory—Correspondence—Poetry—Education—Science—Alchemy—Architecture—The Mosque of al-Madinah— Early mosques in the provinces—The Dome of the Rock—The Aqsa Mosque—The Umayyad Mosque—Palaces: Qusayr 'Amrah—Painting —Music. CHAPTER DECLINE
AND
FALL
OF T H E
XXII
UMAYYAD
DYNASTY
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Qays versus Yaman—The problem of succession—The partisans of 'Ali—'Abbasid claimants—The Khurasanians—The final blow. CHAPTER THE
ESTABLISHMENT
XXIII
OF T H E ' A B B A S I D
DYNASTY
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Al-Mansur, the real founder of the dynasty—Madinat al-Salam—A Persian vizirial family.
CHAPTER XXIV T H E GOLDEN PRIME OF THE 'ABBASIDS
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Relations with the Franks—With the Byzantines—The glory that was Baghdad—Intellectual awakening—India— Persia—Hellenism—Translators—Hunayn ibn-Ishaq—Thabit ibn-Qurrah. CHAPTER THE
'ABBASID
STATE
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The 'Abbasid caliph—Vizir—Bureau of taxes—Other governmental bureaux—Judicial administration— M ilitary organization— The governor.
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CONTENTS
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CHAPTER XXVI ' A B B A S I D
S O C I E T Y
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Home life—Baths—Pastimes—Slaves—Economic life: commerce— Industry—Agriculture— Dhimmis: Christians—Nestorians—Jews— Aabians—Magians and other dualists—The Islamization of the empire —The conquest of Arabic. CHAPTER SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY
XXVII
PROGRESS
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Medicine — 'Ali al-Tabari — Al-Razi — Al-Majusi—Ibn-Sina — Philosophy—Al-Kindi—Al-Farabi—The Brethren of Sincerity—Astronomy and mathematics—Al-Battani — Al-Biruni — 'Umar al-Khayyam — Astrology—The Arabic numerals—Al-Khwarizmi—Alchemy—Al-Jahiz — Lapidaries—Geography—Greek antecedents — 'World cupola' — Literary geographers—Yaqut—Historiography—Early formal historians —Al-Tabari—Al-Mas'udi—Theology—The science of hadith—The six canonical books—Jurisprudence—The four orthodox schools—Ethics— Literature—Belles-lettres—The Arabian Nights—Poetry.
C H A P T E R EDUCATION
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Elementary—Institutions of higher education—Adult Libraries—Bookshops—Paper—General level of culture. CHAPTER THE
DEVELOPMENT
O F FINE
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education—
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ARTS
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Architecture — Painting — Industrial Arts — Calligraphy — Music — M u s i c a l theorists. CHAPTER X X X MOSLEM
SECTS
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Rationalism versus orthodoxy—Moslem inquisition—The Ash'arite system prevails — Al-Ghazzali —• Sufism — Asceticism — Mysticism— Theosophy—Pantheism — Mystic poetry and philosophy—Fraternal orders—The rosary—The cult of saints—Shi'ah—Isma'ilites—Batinites—Qarmatians—The Assassins—Nusayris—Other Shi'ite heterodoxies.
CHAPTER XXXI THE
WEST
CALIPHATE
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DISMEMBERED:
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PETTY
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DYNASTIES
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IN
THE
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1. In Spain—2. The Idrisids—3. The Aghlabids—4. The Tulunids— Public works—5. The Ikhshidids—A negro eunuch—6. The Hamdanids —Literary efflorescence—Raids into 'the land of the Romans'.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER X X X I I SUNDRY
DYNASTIES IN THET E A S T
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I. The Tahirids—2. The Saffarids—3. The Samanids—4. Ghaznawids— Mahmud of Ghaznah—The imperial guard—A servile war—The amir al-umara in power—5. The Buwayhid dynasty—'Adud-al-Dawlah— 6. The Saljuqs—Tughril in power—Alp Arslan—Saljuq power at its zenith—An illustrious vizir: Nizam-al-Mulk—Disintegration of the Saljuq realm—Baghdad unmindful of the Crusades—The shahs of Khwarizm—Enter Chingiz Khan. CHAPTER X X X I I I T H E COLLAPSE OF THE 'ABBASID CALIPHATE .
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Hulagu in Baghdad—Last champions of Islam.
PART IV THE ARABS IN EUROPE: SPAIN AND SICILY CHAPTER XXXIV CONQUEST OF SPAIN
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Gothic kingdom destroyed—Musa crosses the strait—A triumphal procession—Musa falls from grace—The conquest explained—Beyond the Pyrenees—The battle of Tours—Civil wars—The amirate. C H A P T E R T H E
U M A Y Y A D
A M I R A T E
IN
X X X V
S P A I N
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A dramatic escape—Cordova captured—Moslem Spain consolidated and pacified—A match to Charlemagne—An independent amirate—Treatment of Christians—Renegades in arms. CHAPTER XXXVI CIVIL
DISTURBANCES
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T h e ' s l a u g h t e r of t h e d i t c h ' — R a c e for m a r t y r d o m — F l o r a a n d Eulogius — P r o v i n c e s in r e v o l t — I b n - H a f s u n .
CHAPTER X X X V I I T H E UMAYYAD CALIPHATE OF CORDOVA
Caliph 'Abd-al-Rabman al-Nasir—Al-Zahra'.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER XXXVIII
xix PAGS
POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
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Cordova—Governmental institutions—rindustry—Agriculture—Trade— The caliph in his glory—Educational activity—'Amirid dictatorshipCollapse of Umayyad power. C H A P T E R P E T T Y
STATES:
F A L L
X X X I X
OF G R A N A D A
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The 'Abbadids of Seville—Al-Mu'tamid—The Murabifs—Coinage— Persecution—The would-be Arabs—My Cid the Challenger—Collapse of the Murabits—The Muwahhids—Founder of the Muwahhid dynasty—Al-Mansur—Banu-Nasr—Alhambra—The last days of Granada—Morisco persecution. C H A P T E R I N T E L L E C T U A L
C O N T R I B U T I O N S
X L
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Language and literature—Poetry—Muwashshahs—Education—Books —Paper—Historiography—Geography—Travels—Influence over the West—Astronomy and mathematics—Botany and medicine—Ibn-alBaytar—Medicine—Al-Zahrawi—Ibn-Zuhr—Transmission to EuropePhilosophy—Ben-Gablrol—Ibn-Bajjah— Ibn-Rushd— Ibn-Maymiin— Ibn-'Arabi, the mystic—Toledo, centre of translation. CHAPTER XLI ART AND A R C H I T E C T U R E
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Minor arts—Ceramics—Textiles—Ivories—Architecture—Alhambra— The arch—Music—Influence in Europe. CHAPTER IN
SICILY
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XLII
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60a
Conquest—In Italy—Across the Alps—Withdrawal from Italy—The Sicilian amirate—Norman conquest—Arab-Norman culture—Al-Idrisi —Frederick II—Sicily's place in transmitting thought—Via Italy.
PART V THE LAST OF THE MEDIEVAL MOSLEM STATES CHAPTER XLIII A SHI'ITE CALIPHATE IN EGYPT: T H E FATIMIDS
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Isma'ilite propaganda—The enigmatic Sa'Id— The first Fafimid—The fleet—The commander Jawhar—Fatimid power at its height—A deranged caliph—Decadence—Fall.
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CONTENTS CHAPTER
LIFE
IN FATIMID EGYPT
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High life—Administration—Scientific and literary progress—Hall of Science—Astronomy and optics—The royal library—Art and architecture—Decorative and industrial arts. CHAPTER XLV MILITARY
CRUSADES
CONTACTS
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BETWEEN
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EAST
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AND
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WEST:
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THE
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633
Saljuqs of Syria—Complexity of causation and motivation—I. Period of conquest—The Byzantines recover Asia Minor—First Latin principality—Antioch reduced—Jerusalem captured—Italian fleets reduce seaports—Baldwin I, king of Jerusalem—The third Frankish principality established—Social contacts—2. Moslem reaction: The Zangids and Nurids—Enter Saladin—Hittln—Siege of'Akka—3. Period of civil and petty wars: The Ayyubids—The Frankish camp—Egypt, the centre of interest—St. Louis—The Ayyubids give way to the Mamluks—The last blows: Baybars—Qalawun—'Akka. C H A P T E R C U L T U R A L
CONTACTS
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Nurid contributions—Ayyubid contributions—In science and philo« sophy—In letters—In military art—Gunpowder—In architecture— Agriculture and industry—Water-wheels—Trade—Compass—Racial admixture. CHAPTER XLVII T H E . M A M L U K S , LAST M E D I E V A L DYNASTY OF A R A B W O R L D
671
Dynasty established—Bahri and Burji Mamluks—Ayyubids and Tartars repelled—Baybars—The caliphal episode—Qalawun and the Mongols—His hospital—Al-Ashraf—Mongols repulsed—Egypt at its cultural height—Famine and plague—The downfall of the Bahris. CHAPTER XLVIII I N T E L L E C T U A L AND A R T I S T I C A C T I V I T Y
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Scientific contribution—Medicine—Jewish physicians—Diseases of the eye—Medical history—Social science—Biography—History—Islamics and linguistics—Story-telling—Shadow play—Architecture—Art— Illumination—Luxurious living. C H A P T E R T H E
E N D O FM A M L U K
R U L E
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XLIX .
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Specimens of Burji sultans—Desperate economic situation—Indian trade lost—Monumental works—Foreign relations—Cyprus conquered —Timur—Timflrids—Ottoman Turks—Safawids—The decisive battle of Marj Dabiq—Egypt conquered—The Ottoman caliphate.
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CONTENTS
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PART VI OTTOMAN RULE AND INDEPENDENCE CHAPTER L T H E ARAB LANDS AS TURKISH PROVINCES
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North Africa—Pirate states—The splendour that was Constantinople— Ottoman culture—The imperial set-up—Inherent elements of weakness— The loss of North African states. CHAPTER LI E G Y P T A N DT H EA R A B C R E S C E N T
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Mamluks remain in control—'Ali Bey declared sultan—Napoleon Bonaparte—Muhammad 'Ali: founder of modern Egypt—Syria—Provincial administration—Economic decline—Fakhr-al-Din, enlightened amir of Lebanon—The 'Azms in Syria—Palestine has its dictators—Bashir al-Shihabi—Autonomy of Lebanon internationally recognized—Al-'Iraq —Arabia—Wahhabis—Ibn-Su'ud—Intellectual activity.
CHAPTER LII T H E CHANGING SCENE: IMPACT OF THE WEST
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745
Cultural penetration: Egypt—Syria and Lebanon—Political penetration —The British occupy Egypt—French and British mandates—An Egyptian reformer—Nationalism—Trend toward union. I
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