Harun al-Rashid & The World Of 1001 Nights (Paperback)

Andre Clot

ISBN 10: 0863565506 / ISBN 13: 9780863565502

Published by Saqi Books, London, 2005

About this Item

Paperback. 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 Andre 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. 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. This book presents a tale of war, culture and political intrigue during the reign of the legendary Harun al-Rashid from "The Thousand and One Nights". Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780863565502

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Harun al-Rashid & The World Of 1001 Nights (Paperback)
• Publisher: Saqi Books, London
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0863565506
• ISBN 13: 9780863565502
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: new

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.