Van Steenbergen, Jo

Ghent University Academic Bibliography

from the text of the translation in bold. When al-Ḥusaynī provides dates, either infull or in brief, Bosworth provides the corresponding Gregorian dates in brackets.With regard to the translation of specific terms, Bosworth uses a varied approach.For a small number of terms (e.g. ribāt,̣ dihqān, khutḅa, rakʿas, mithqāl andmann) Bosworth provides no translation, assuming that the meanings of theseterms are understood. For a larger number of specialized or otherwise problematicterms, however, Bosworth provides a transliterated rendering of the Arabic in par-entheses following his translation. Examples include such basic terms as “slave-soldier (mamluk)” (p. 39) and “ceremonial tent (surādiq)” (p. 103), as well asmore specialized terms like “parasol (chatr)” (p. 27) and “saddle-cloth(ghāshiya)” (passim). For some terms, however, such as sạdāq and mahr,Bosworth uses the same translation (i.e. “bride price”), while in other instanceshe translates certain terms differently based upon the flow of the narrative. Forawbash, Bosworth gives at least two separate meanings: “common people”(p. 15), and “the rabbles” (p. 36). This reviewer finds no problem withBosworth’s decisions in this regard, for in the end his goal is to provide a smoothand accurate translation of al-Ḥusaynī’s work.With regard to the narrative style, Bosworth follows the straightforward methodal-Ḥusaynī employed in the original text. Arranged chronologically, the historycharts the rise of the Seljuqs from their humble beginnings as tribesmen whomade a name for themselves attached to the Ghaznavids, moves through to theheight of their power during the reign of Mālik Shāh (d. 485/1092), and endswith Ṭoghrïl b. Arslān Shāh’s death in 590/1194 at the hands of the KhwarazmShah Sultan ʿAlā’ al-Dīn Tekish. Within the history we find detailed accounts ofAlp Arslān’s forays against the Byzantines leading up to the Battle of Manzikertin 463/1071, as well as fierce competition between the later Seljuqs and theirIldegizid and Khwarazm Shah rivals. Although al-Ḥusaynī slips into a more floridliterary style at times and incorporates numerous idiomatic phrases in his work,Bosworth presents a smooth, accessible text while also providing a literal translationof the Arabic. For example, when discussing the rebellion of Faḍlūn of Ganga in459/1067, Bosworth states “an Satan seduced led him astray” followed by the literaltranslation, “Satan breathed into his nostrils and erected barriers at the beginning andthe end of his affairs” (pp. 33–4). Numerous other example of this simplification ofal-Ḥusaynī’s text can be found throughout Bosworth’s work. In addition, when deal-ing with names where the vocalization has not been established, Bosworth leaves itup to the audience to decide; when referring to a locale near Khākistar, he writes “K.ʿ. r. b. n (?)” (p. 27). Bosworth’s attention to detail, erudition, and scholarly acumenand humility are to be lauded here, for they have resulted in a masterful translationof a work essential to anyone interested in events surrounding the Seljuq dynasty.In addition to three separate indexes (e.g. Persons, peoples, tribes; Places;Technical terms), a small map is provided, along with an extensive and informativeseries of discursive endnotes. Although this reader would have provided footnotes,especially when dealing with a translation with commentary, this should not detractfrom the importance and usefulness of Bosworth’s work.Eric J. HanneNASSER RABBAT:Mamluk History through Architecture: Monuments, Culture and Politicsin Medieval Egypt and Syria.2 R E V I E W S495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596

Mamluk history through architecture: monuments, culture and politics in medieval Egypt and Syria

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Mamluk history through architecture: monuments, culture and politics in medieval Egypt and Syria

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Ghent University Academic Bibliography