Monthly Archives: March 2022

The Child Prodigy Imam, 811-835

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Ruth

When Imam Reza died while traveling with Caliph al-Mamun from Merv to Baghdad, it was unclear to some Shi’ites who was his successor. He had one son, and only one, who had been born when he was well over 40. … Continue reading →

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Battle for the Northern Mediterranean, 831-915

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Ruth

Frankish law always had a problem with inheritance; there’s really no ideal way to manage the inheritance of land. As tribesmen who found themselves ruling a nation, at first they continued their tradition of dividing possessions among a man’s sons. … Continue reading →

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Emperor Theophilus and the Arabs, 829-42

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Ruth

During this period, the Byzantine throne had been undergoing its usual turmoil of rebellions and assassinations. Two rising generals married daughters of the top general, then vaulted over him to become, one after the other, Emperors. The second one, curiously, … Continue reading →

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Caliph al-Mamoun’s Controversies

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Ruth

At first, Caliph al-Mamoun remained in Merv, at the border of Iran and Afghanistan, which had been his regional seat of power. Among the troubles going on in the west, the Shi’ite descendants of Ali rebelled in various places, starting … Continue reading →

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Harun al-Rashid’s Sons: Civil War, 811-813

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Ruth

Caliph Harun al-Rashid died in 809. He left his kingdom to his two sons, al-Amin and al-Mamoun. Al-Amin’s mother was his cousin Zubayda, so overall his rank was higher, but al-Mamun was older and usually portrayed as more experienced. Al-Amin … Continue reading →

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Vikings, Caliphs and the Slave Trade

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Ruth

Conditions during the 8th century prompted a growing shift in the Northern lands from farming and fishing, to raiding. We start to see “Viking” raids in the Irish, English and even Spanish records at the end of the 8th century. … Continue reading →

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The Basin of Mercury: Quicksilver Diplomacy

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Ruth

In the 9th century, the Emirs of Andalusia established so much independence from Baghdad that by the early 10th, Abd al-Rahman III called himself a Caliph, not an Emir. Emir means something like Prince; it implies high but subordinate rank. … Continue reading →

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Ziryab, the first Fashionista, 789-857

Posted on March 9, 2022 by Ruth

The court at Baghdad was doubtless much more urbane than upstart Cordoba’s. Baghdad was based in ancient Persian culture: its customs, food, musical instruments, poetry, and textiles. Even Abd al-Rahman, coming from Damascus, wasn’t as steeped in Persian luxuries as … Continue reading →

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