The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661-750 - Hardcover

Hawting, G. R

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0415240727 ISBN 13: 9780415240727

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

Gerald Hawting's book has long been acknowledged as the standard introductory survey of this complex period in Arab and Islamic history. Now it is once more made available, with the addition of a new introduction by the author which examines recent significant contributions to scholarship in the field. It is certain to be welcomed by students and academics alike.

About this title

Review:

'Provides the best account now available in English' - Journal of the American Oriental Society

'Anyone faced with the somewhat daunting task of teaching Umayyad history to undergraduates will greet Hawting's achievement with relief, gratitude and admiration.' - Journal of Semitic Studies

Synopsis:

The period 661-750 AD was a crucial one for the history of Islam and of the Middle East. The territories conquered by the Muslims in the Middle East, north Africa and Spain were ruled from Syria by a succession of caliphs belonging to the Umayyad family, the first caliphal dynasty to emerge in the history of Islam. Under their rule the region began a process of transformation which eventually led to the emergence of Islam, both as a religion and as a culture, in its classical form. The First Dynasty of Islam provides a succinct and accessible introduction to the Umayyad period. An introductory chapter discusses the importance of the era as a whole, with further chapters examining * the Umayyad family and its rise to the Caliphate * the Sufyanids * the second civil war * 'Abd al-Malik and al-Hajjaj * the development of factionalism and the problems of Islamization * the third civil war and the caliphate of Marwan II * the overthrow of the Umayyad caliphate. The first edition established itself as a balanced and approachable text for undergraduates and others interested in the early history of Islam.

This second edition, with an expanded and up-to-date bibliography, will prove even more useful to its intended readership.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0415240727
• ISBN 13: 9780415240727
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 176