Early Islamic Spain by James, David;

Short description:

Including maps, an extensive introduction and notes and commentary by the translator, Early Islamic Spain is the first English language translation of the important history of Islamic Spain by Ibn al-Qutiyyah, one of the earliest and significant histories of Muslim Spain and an important source for scholars.

Long description:

This book is the first published English-language translation of the significant History of Islamic Spain by Ibn al-Qutiya (d. Cordova 367 / 977). Including extensive notes and comments, a genealogical table and relevant maps, the text is preceded by a study of the author and his work, and is the only serious examination of the unique manuscript since Pascual de Gayangos’ edition in 1868.

Ibn al-Qutiya’s work is one of the significant and earliest histories of Muslim Spain and an important source for scholars. Although like most Muslims of al-Andalus in this period, Ibn al-Qutiya was of European origin, he was a loyal servant of the Iberian Umayyads, and taught Arabic, traditions (hadith) and history in the Great Mosque of Cordova. Written at the height of the Umayyad Caliphate of Muslim Spain and Portugal (al-Andalus), the History describes the first 250 years of Muslim rule in the peninsula. The text, first fully translated into Spanish in 1926, deals with all aspects of life, and includes accounts of Christians, Jews and Muslim converts.

This book will be of great interest to scholars and students of the history of Spain and Portugal, Islamic history, and Mediaeval European history.

"The publication of a translated edition of Ibn al-Qutiyya’s early history on Islamic Spain provides scholars of al-Andalus with a valuable resource... The introduction provides a history of the manuscript, from its earliest sources to modern editions of the text the tradition. James also sheds light on the tradition and culture of historical writing in the early Islamic tradition, as well as providing the reader with indispensable information about the life and times of Ibn al-Qutiyya... The translation is smooth and the transliteration of Arabic names and terms is thorough. Additionally, James includes in his volume six appendices, a well-constructed bibliography, and an index, making this book readily accessible to a wide readership." - William Granara, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Harvard University; American Academy of Research Historians of Medieval Spain Newsletter, Spring 2010

"What makes the text unusal, and the publication of David James' translation and commentary very welcome, is the level of attention its author pays to the roles of Christians, and converts to Islam of Christian origin, in Andalusi public life... Rather than relying solely on the existing editions - all of which contain, as James notes, mistakes and omissions- James returned to the manuscript for his translation. His labour has paid off, and we are thus in the curious position of having a translation that is a fuller and more accurate reflection of the manuscript than any previous edition." - Nicola Clarke, The Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African studies, Volume 73/3 - 2010

Table of Contents:

Introduction: The History of the History  Part 1: Translation: The History of Ibn al- Qutiya (d. 367 / 977)  1. Tariq ibn Ziyad Invades al-Andalus  2. The Governors of the Damascus Caliphate (92–136 / 711–756)  3. The Arrival of ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Mu‘awiya and his Reign as Emir (138–172 / 756–788)  4. The Reign of the Emir Hisham (172–180 / 788–796)  5. The Reign of the Emir al-Hakam (180–206 / 796–822)  6. The Reign of the Emir ‘Abd al-Rahman II (796–238 / 822–852)  7. The Reign of the Emir Muhammad (238–273 / 852–886)  8. The Reign of the Emir al-Mundhir (273–275 / 886–888)  9. The Reign of the Emir ‘Abdallah (275–300 / 888–912)  10. The Reign of the Emir / Caliph ‘Abdal-Rahman III (300-350 / 912–961)  Part 2: Notes and Comments.  Appendices