Harun a-Rashid and the World of Thousand and One Nights. Translated from the French by John Howe.

Clot, André:

ISBN 10: 0863565506 / ISBN 13: 9780863565502

Published by London, Saqi Books, 2005

About this Item

268 Seiten, Geringfügige Lagerspuren am Einband, Buch wirkt ungelesen. Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 450.

Seller Inventory # 43593

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Harun a-Rashid and the World of Thousand and One Nights. Translated from the French by John Howe.
• Publisher: London, Saqi Books
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863565506
• ISBN 13: 9780863565502
• Binding: 21 x 14 cm, Broschur.
• Condition: Sehr gut
• Weight: 450 grams
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literatur

About this title

Synopsis

Harun al-Rashid, the legendary caliph portrayed in The Thousand and One Nights, was the son of a Yemenite slave who cleared Harun’s path to power, very probably by poisoning her eldest son.

Harun reigned for a quarter of a century, his empire spreading over south-west Asia and into north Africa. He waged war on the Byzantine Empire, and dealt ruthlessly with the religious and social insurrections which threatened his kingdom, executing almost the entire Barmakid family when they threatened to become too powerful.

As well as being a ruthless soldier and politician Harun was also a great patron of the arts, and highly esteemed by Charlemagne. He turned Baghdad into a brilliant centre of culture and learning, which witnessed unprecedented economic development, its merchants and navigators carrying the caliph’s renown to the farthest corners of the known world.

Surrounded by his wives, concubines, musicians and learned men in his palace in Baghdad, ‘Harun the Good’ remains a potent symbol of the fabled Orient. In this remarkable account André Clot explores the man behind the legend, revealing his development as a ruler of an empire that was shaken to the core by religious and social revolt.

About the Author

André Clot (1909-2002) was a French historian and journalist. He lived in Turkey and the countries of the near and Middle East for many years and was an expert on Islam. His other works include Suleiman the Magnificent, also by Saqi Books.