Bibliograph

The caliph's splendor, Islam and the West in the golden age of Baghdad, Benson Bobrick

Type

Label

The caliph's splendor, Islam and the West in the golden age of Baghdad, Benson Bobrick

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-270) and index

Illustrations

mapsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The caliph's splendor

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

759695905

Responsibility statement

Benson Bobrick

Sub title

Islam and the West in the golden age of Baghdad

Summary

A history of Arab civilization under the leadership of Caliph Harun al-Rashid, the legendary caliph of "The thousand and one nights," whose actual court was nearly as splendid as the fictional one. Examines Harun's rise to power, his fostering of many cultural and scientific advances that still affect us today, the growth of the Muslim Empire under his rule, and his struggle to hold back the Byzantine forces from his kingdom

Table Of Contents

Minaret and tower -- The night of destiny -- King of kings -- Baghdad -- The culture of prosperity -- al-Andalus -- Greek fire -- Lombards, Saxons, and a poisoned crown -- "Iron Charles" -- Even the lowliest camel driver knew -- The harder they fall -- "Rum" and Khurasan -- The red soil of Tus -- The Siege of Baghdad -- Interregnum -- "Oval, square, and round" -- "City of the flower" -- Turban and cowl -- Appendix. The Umayyad caliphs of Damascus and the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad

Classification