Category Archives: Islam History C: the Abbasids

Invading India, 1001-30

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

The first ruler to have the title “Sultan” was Mahmoud of Ghazni, who followed his Mamluk father to power in 998. Their kingdom was in Afghanistan, so they were perched right on the threshold of India. At this point, Islam’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Comments Off on Invading India, 1001-30

North African Puritans: the Rise of the Malikis

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

When the Ismaili Shi’ites were looking for an accepting, protective tribe distant from Baghdad’s central power, they found it in the Kutama tribe of Berbers. With this base, they took over the Mediterranean strip of North Africa, and on across … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged | Comments Off on North African Puritans: the Rise of the Malikis

The Fall of Cordoba, 1012

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

In 976, around the same time that Fatimids were building Cairo, the last powerful descendant of Abd al-Rahman died in Cordoba. He left a 12 year old son, Hisham II, with Hisham’s mother as regent. As so often happened, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Fall of Cordoba, 1012

The Druze, 1019-forward

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

Many Muslims from other parts of the empire came to study Ismaili doctrine and law at al-Azhar and Dar al-Hikma. Al-Azhar became the more public face, providing public lectures on Ismaili law, while Dar al-Hikma focused more on the esoteric … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Druze, 1019-forward

The Mad Caliph al-Hakim, 996-1021

Posted on July 4, 2022 by Ruth

Caliph al-Aziz died of sudden serious illness in Bilbeis as he traveled toward Palestine and Syria. His 11 year old son was also on the trip, and he was summoned to his dying father’s side. Al-Aziz put his turban on … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Mad Caliph al-Hakim, 996-1021

Gerbert as Pope Sylvester, 999-1003

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Ruth

Gerbert’s first royal pupil, Otto II, was married to a Greek princess and fully in control of his kingdoms by age 18. He continued his father’s project of campaigns against the Slavs; the Poles and Bohemians were converting to Christianity—and … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gerbert as Pope Sylvester, 999-1003

Gerbert of Aurillac and Numbers, 960-83

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Ruth

In the 960s, a French monk named Gerbert of Aurillac came to Barcelona under the protection of its Count. The Count met him while traveling, stopping in the Benedictine monastery of Aurillac, and was so impressed with the young man’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Gerbert of Aurillac and Numbers, 960-83

Duke Rollo and the First Normans, 918-42

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Ruth

In addition to the attacks of Saracens in the south and Slavs in the east, the Franks now suffered attacks of Danes in the north. Although they had similar cultures, the Franks had become the fat, soft-bodied targets of their … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Duke Rollo and the First Normans, 918-42

Feudalism in France

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Ruth

During the 10th century, two major changes came to the land of the Franks. They were unconnected, but each contributed in its own way to the establishment of medieval feudalism. The first was a set of inheritance reforms, the second…the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crusades, Islam History C: the Abbasids | Comments Off on Feudalism in France

The Christian Prince of Kyiv, 988

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Ruth

The Rus territory of Eastern Europe stretched from Odessa on the coast to the borders of Finland in the north. The Norse in Sweden and the Slavs of the forests along the Volga River had made marriage alliances for several … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam History C: the Abbasids | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Christian Prince of Kyiv, 988