Description
The study of early Islamic historical tradition has flourished with the emergence of an innovative scholarship no longer dependent on more traditional narratival approaches. Chase Robinson's book, first published in 2000, takes full account of the research available and interweaves history and historiography to interpret the political, social and economic transformations in the Mesopotamian region after the Islamic conquests. Using Arabic and Syriac sources to elaborate his argument, the author focuses on the Muslim and Christian elites, demonstrating that the immediate effects of the conquests were in fact modest ones. Significant social change took place only at the end of the seventh century with the imposition of Marwanid rule. Even then, the author argues, social power was diffused in the hands of local elites. This is a sophisticated study in a burgeoning field in Islamic studies.
The history of northern Mesopotamia from the Islamic conquests until the early Abbasids, first published in 2000.
About the Author
Chase F. Robinson is Lecturer in Islamic History at the University of Oxford.
Reviews
'This book is an excellent contribution to early Islamic history. By concentrating on a small area, almost a microcosm, which has a particularly rich historiographical tradition, Robinson has made a major contribution to our understanding of the more general processes of the formation of the Islamic state.' History
'For its intended audience... the book will no doubt be welcomed as an impressive and highly accomplished treatment of its subject. Indeed, it is at the cutting edge of contemporary scholarship on early Islam in many respects. The author's command of sources in exhaustive.' Elton L. Daniel, University of Hawaii
'... rich in detail ... a definitive work ...' Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies
Book Information
ISBN 9780521781152
Author Chase F. Robinson
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 16mm
The history of northern Mesopotamia from the Islamic conquests until the early Abbasids, first published in 2000.
About the Author
Chase F. Robinson is Lecturer in Islamic History at the University of Oxford.
Reviews
'This book is an excellent contribution to early Islamic history. By concentrating on a small area, almost a microcosm, which has a particularly rich historiographical tradition, Robinson has made a major contribution to our understanding of the more general processes of the formation of the Islamic state.' History
'For its intended audience... the book will no doubt be welcomed as an impressive and highly accomplished treatment of its subject. Indeed, it is at the cutting edge of contemporary scholarship on early Islam in many respects. The author's command of sources in exhaustive.' Elton L. Daniel, University of Hawaii
'... rich in detail ... a definitive work ...' Bulletin of the School of Oriental & African Studies
Book Information
ISBN 9780521781152
Author Chase F. Robinson
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 500g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 16mm
