The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athīr for the Crusading Period from al-Kāmil fī'l-ta'rīkh. Part 2 - The Years 541-589/1146-1193: The Age of Nur al-Din and Saladin

First published 2007 by Ashgate Publishing. The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athīr (1160-1233 AD), entitled "al-Kāmil fī'l-ta'rīkh", is one of the outstanding sources for the history of the mediaeval world. It covers the whole sweep of Islamic history almost up to the death of its author and, with the sources available to him, he attempted to embrace the widest geographical spread; events in Iraq, Iran and further East run in counterpoint with those involving North Africa and Spain. From the time of the arrival of the Crusaders in the Levant, their activities and the Muslim response become the focus of the work. While continuing with the aim of comprehensive coverage, the years in this part are dominated by the careers of Nur al-Din and Saladin, the champions of the Jihad, sometimes called the 'counter-crusade'. Of special interest is the historian's partiality for the House of the former, and his perceived hostility to Saladin. The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir (1160-1233 AD), entitled al-Kamil fi l-Ta Rikh, is one of the outstanding sources for the history of the mediaeval world. It covers the whole sweep of Islamic history almost up to the death of its author and, with the sources available to him, he attempted to embrace the widest geographical spread; events in Iraq, Iran and further East run in counterpoint with those involving North Africa and Spain. From the time of the arrival of the Crusaders in the Levant, their activities and the Muslim response become the focus of the work. Part 1 covers the establishment of the Crusader states and the initial weak and divided response of Muslim regimes in the area, the moribund Fatimid caliphate in Egypt and competing emirs in Syria and Mesopotamia. The strengthening of the Muslim reaction is typified by the career of Zanki, which also illustrates the important links with events in the orbit of the Abbasid caliphate and the Saljuq sultanate. While continuing with the aim of comprehensive coverage, the years in the second part are dominated by the careers of Nur al-Din and Saladin, the champions of the Jihad, sometimes called the counter-crusade. Of special interest is the historians partiality for the House of the former, and his perceived hostility to Saladin. A significant portion of the third part deals with the internal rivalries of the Ayyubid successors of Saladin, their changing relations with the Crusader states and in particular the events of the Damietta Crusade. As always, these events are portrayed against the wider background, with considerable emphasis on events in the eastern Islamic world, the fortunes of the Khwarazm Shahs and the first incursions of the Mongols. Contents 10 Preface 12 Introduction 14 The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir: The Age of Nur al-Din and Saladin 18 The Year 541 [1146-1147] 20 The Year 542 [1147-1148] 26 The Year 543 [1148-1149] 31 The Year 544 [1149-1150] 40 The Year 545 [1150-1151] 48 The Year 546 [1151-1152] 52 The Year 547 [1152-1153] 55 The Year 548 [1153-1154] 69 The Year 549 [1154-1155] 80 The Year 550 [1155-1156] 87 The Year 551 [1156-1157] 89 The Year 552 [1157-1158] 100 The Year 553 [1158-1159] 108 The Year 554 [1159-1160] 116 The Year 555 [1160] 125 The Year 556 [1161] 133 The Year 557 [1161-1162] 145 The Year 558 [1162-1163] 151 The Year 559 [1163-1164] 157 The Year 560 [1164-1165] 169 The Year 561 [1165-1166] 174 The Year 562 [1166-1167] 176 The Year 563 [1167-1168] 181 The Year 564 [1168-1169] 184 The Year 565 [1169-1170] 196 The Year 566 [1170-1171] 203 The Year 567 [1171-1172] 209 The Year 568 [1172-1173] 216 The Year 569 [1173-1174] 230 The Year 570 [1174-1175] 242 The Year 571 [1175-1176] 254 The Year 572 [1176-1177] 262 The Year 573 [1177-1178] 266 The Year 574 [1178-1179] 273 The Year 575 [1179-1180] 277 The Year 576 [1180-1181] 283 The Year 577 [1181-1182] 289 The Year 578 [1182-1183] 294 The Year 579 [1183-1184] 304 The Year 580 [1184-1185] 312 The Year 581 [1185-1186] 317 The Year 582 [1186-1187] 326 The Year 583 [1187-1188] 331 The Year 584 [1188-1189] 357 The Year 585 [1189-1190] 373 The Year 586 [1190-1191] 385 The Year 587 [1191-1192] 397 The Year 588 [1192-1193] 409 The Year 589 [1193] 421 Bibliographical References 424 Primary sources 424 Primary material in translation 426 Secondary material 427 Index 432 The Chronicle Of Ibn Al-athir (1160-1233a.d.), Entitled 'at-kamil Fi'l-ta'rikh', Is One Of The Outstanding Sources For The History Of The Mediaeval World. It Covers The Whole Sweep Of Islamic History Almost Up To The Death Of Its Author And, With The Sources Available To Him, He Attempted To Embrace The Widest Geographical Spread; Events In Iraq, Iran And Further East Run In Counterpoint With Those Involving North Africa And Spain. From The Time Of The Arrival Of The Crusaders In The Levant, Their Activities And The Muslim Response Become The Focus Of The Work. This Part Covers The Establishment Of The Crusader States And The Initial Weak And Divided Response Of Muslim Regimes In The Area, The Moribund Fatimid Caliphate In Egypt And Competing Emirs In Syria And Mesopotamia. The Strengthening Of The Muslim Reaction Is Typified By The Career Of Zanki, Which Also Illustrates The Important Links With Events In The Orbit Of The Abbasid Caliphate And The Saljuq Sultanate.--jacket. Pt. 1. The Years 491-541/1097-1146 : The Coming Of The Franks And The Muslim Response -- Pt. 2. The Years 541-589/1146-1193 : The Age Of Nur Al-din And Saladin -- Pt. 3. The Years 589-629/1193-1231 : The Ayyūbids After Saladin And The Mongol Menace. Translated By D.s. Richards. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir (1160-1233 AD), entitled "al-Kamil fi'l-Ta'rikh", is one of the outstanding sources for the history of the mediaeval world. It covers the whole sweep of Islamic history almost up to the death of its author and, with the sources available to him, he attempted to embrace the widest geographical spread; events in Iraq, Iran and further East run in counterpoint with those involving North Africa and Spain. From the time of the arrival of the Crusaders in the Levant, their activities and the Muslim response become the focus of the work. While continuing with the aim of comprehensive coverage, the years in this part are dominated by the careers of Nur al-Din and Saladin, the champions of the Jihad, sometimes called the 'counter-crusade'. Of special interest is the historian's partiality for the House of the former, and his perceived hostility to Saladin. D.S. Richards translates the historian Ibn-al-Athir's writings for the period 1146-1193 (years 541-589) in the Arab calender D.S. Richards translates Ibn-al-Athir's writings for the period 1097-1146 (years 491-541) in the Arabic calender