The Court of the Caliphs - Softcover

Kennedy, Hugh

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0753818965 ISBN 13: 9780753818961

Publisher: Phoenix, 2005

Synopsis

From a rebellion planned in a remote desert town to the founding of Baghdad in AD 762, the rule of the Abbasid dynasty was looked back on as the golden era of the Islamic Conquest.

The Caliphs formed the model for succeeding muslim regimes. From military conquests to patronizing poetry, building palaces, and the formal structure of the court - harems, viziers, eunuchs and the tales of the Arabian Nights - the Abbasid caliphate offered a historical ideal for later empires and their rulers to aspire to.

Yet the true story of this fascinating empire has been forgotten outside the academic world. And it deserves to be rescued: it is an epic story in every sense, with larger-than-life rulers, exotic slave girls, inventive tortures, and enough court intrigue to frighten a Borgia.

About this title

Product Description:

PHOENIX PBK,2005,PHOTOS

Review:

This book is well written, timely and fascinating. It deserves to be read widely and to be followed by many more. (THE TIMES )

This richly-woven history of the Abbasid caliphs matches pace to depth as it explains how the city on the Tigris gave the world lessons in poetry, luxury and all the arts of living and ruling. (INDEPENDENT )

About this edition

• Publisher: Phoenix
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0753818965
• ISBN 13: 9780753818961
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352