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Usama Ibn Munqidh (1095-1188) was a Syrian poet and warrior whose life coincided with some of the most dramatic moments in Islamic history: the invasion of the Turks into the Middle East, the collapse of the Shi'ite political power, and above all, the coming of the Crusades. Often at the frontline of such events whilst on military service representing one of his many Lords, including on occasion the legendary Saladin, Usama was nonethless best-known to his contemporaries as a poet.Covering his exquisite anthologies of Arabic poetry, his witty and well- loved memoirs, and his political adventures, this comprehensive biography examines both the literary works of the famous "Arab- Syrian Gentleman" and the tumultuous life which inspired them. With a guide to further reading, a dynastic family tree and a glossary of the principal characters encountered in the book, it offers an indispensable window into Usmama's life, times and world of thought.
Paul M. Cobb is Professor of Islamic History in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Pennsylvania.
PrefaceIntroduction 1 THE YOUTH AND THE CASTLEThe setting of ShayzarChildhoodHunting at ShayzarShayzar’s bad neighborsNizaris attack ShayzarRelations with the FranksQuiet momentsExileService to ZangiLast days in Hama 2 THE OUTCAST AND THE KINGSDamascus (1138–1144)Usama among the FranksTrouble in DamascusEgyptian adventures (1144–1154)The lesson of RidwanA new patronAn expedition to SyriaConspiracy in CairoThe final strawDamascus and Nur al-Din (1154–1164)Calamity 3 THE POET AND THE TOMBDiyar Bakr (1164–1174)Literary outputDenouement in Damascus (1174–1188)Intellectual pursuits 4 ORDER AND CHAOSGod’s will and the vicissitudes of TimeUsama’s IslamPious exemplars and the miraculousWomen’s honorMale honor and social statusThe manners and customs of animalsConclusion 5 FRANKS AND MUSLIMSUsama, ethnographerUsama and the coming of the CrusadesUsama on AntiochSocial relations with the FranksMedicineFrankish justiceUsama and Christianity AfterwordFurther readingWorks citedPrincipal people encountered in this bookSimplified lists of principal dynasties and rulers in Usama’s lifetimeIndex
