The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates: The Islamic Near East from the Sixth to the Eleventh Century

The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates is a comprehensive history of the Near East from c.600 to 1050 AD, covering the formation of Islamic society, Arab conquests, and the rise of the Fatimid and Seljuk Turkish dynasties. Updated to reflect recent research, the book emphasizes long-term social and economic processes and offers a clear and accessible introduction to the subject for students and scholars.

Format: Hardback
Length: 402 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates is a comprehensive historical account of the Near East from approximately 600 to 1050 AD, a pivotal period in the formation of Islamic society. Author Hugh Kennedy begins by delving into the life of Muhammad and the birth of Islam, tracing the significant Arab conquests of the seventh century and the flourishing era of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. During this time, the world of Islam exhibited remarkable political and cultural development, surpassing the Western world. However, the crisis of the tenth century marked a turning point, leading to the disintegration of political unity among Muslims and the emergence of the Fatimid caliphate in Egypt and independent dynasties in the Eastern Islamic world. The book concludes with the advent of Seljuk Turkish rule in the mid-eleventh century.

In this revised edition, Kennedy has made extensive updates to incorporate recent research findings. Two new chapters have been added, covering the economic background during the period and the region of northeast Iran in the post-Abbasid period. Kennedy's approach departs from the traditional Orientalist perspective, which often portrays early Islamic history as a series of fleeting rulers and meaningless battles. Instead, he emphasizes the underlying long-term social and economic processes that shaped the course of events.

The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates holds immense significance in the twenty-first century, as it provides valuable insights into the early development of the Islamic world. This book serves as a clear, informative, and accessible introduction to the subject for students and scholars of early Islamic history. By delving into the complex political, social, and economic dynamics of the period, Kennedy offers a fresh perspective on the origins, shedding light on the factors period's profound impact on the world we inhabit today.

Weight: 950g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367366902
Edition number: 4 ed