Ibn Hamdis the Sicilian: Eulogist for a Falling Homeland

Abd al-Jabbar ibn Hamdis, a well-known figure from four centuries of Arab-Islamic civilization on Sicily, was forced to emigrate due to sectarian strife and the Christian reconquest. William Granara's verse examines his life and times.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

‘Abd al-Jabbar ibn Hamdis, a prominent figure from the Arab-Islamic civilization on the island of Sicily, lived from 1055 to 1133. He grew up in a society that had experienced a century of cultural development but faced threats from rival warlords. Following the invasion by the Normans, he, like many other Muslims, emigrated first to North Africa and then to Seville, where he began his career as a court poet. Despite his achievements and success, Ibn Hamdis witnessed the sectarian strife among Muslims in Sicily and Spain, as well as the gradual success of the Christian reconquest, including the decline of his beloved homeland. William Granara, through his verse, delves into the life and times of Ibn Hamdis, providing a captivating insight into this remarkable figure.

‘Abd al-Jabbar ibn Hamdis, a prominent figure from the Arab-Islamic civilization on the island of Sicily, lived from 1055 to 1133. He grew up in a society that had experienced a century of cultural development but faced threats from rival warlords. Following the invasion by the Normans, he, like many other Muslims, emigrated first to North Africa and then to Seville, where he began his career as a court poet. Despite his achievements and success, Ibn Hamdis witnessed the sectarian strife among Muslims in Sicily and Spain, as well as the gradual success of the Christian reconquest, including the decline of his beloved homeland. William Granara, through his verse, delves into the life and times of Ibn Hamdis, providing a captivating insight into this remarkable figure.

Weight: 276g
Dimension: 141 x 222 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786078469