THE

HISTORY

OF

ARAB I A.

ANCIENT AND MODERN.

CONTAINING

A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY-AN ACCOUNT OF ITS INHABITANTS,
ANTIQUITIES, POLITICAL CONDITION, AND EARLY COMMERCE-THE
LIFE AND RELIGION OF MOHAMMED-THE CONQUESTS, ARTS, AND
LITERATURE OF THE SARACENS-THE CALIPHS OF DAMASCUS, BAGDAD,
AFRICA, AND SPAIN-THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS CERE.
MONIES OF THE MODERN ARABS-ORIGIN AND SUPPRESSION OF THE
WAHABEES—THE INSTITUTIONS, CHARACTER, MANNERS, AND CUS-
TOMS OF THE BEDOUINS-AND A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF ITS NATU
BAL HISTORY.

BY ANDREW CRICHTON.

WITH A MAP AND ENGRAVINGS.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

NEW-YORK:

PUBLISHED BY HARPER & BROTHERS,
NO. 82 CLIFF-STREET.

184 2.

ENGRAVINGS IN VOL. II.

VIGNETTE.-View of the South Quarter of Mocha.
An Arab of Rank in the Costume of Yemen.
Mecca and the Grand Temple during the Pilgrimage.
Convent of El Bourg near Tor

Abdallah ibn Saoud, Chief of the Wahabees.
A Young Female of the Coffee Mountains

Page 127

185

251

THE ABBASSIDES, OR CALIPHS OF BAGDAD.

Accession of the Abbassides-Caliphs of that Dynasty-Alman-

sor-Haroun al Raschid-Almamoun-Motassem-Capri-

cious Cruelty of Motawakkel-Magnificence of the Caliphs-

Weakness and Corruption of their Government-Their Mili-

tary Operations-Wars of Haroun al Raschid and his Suc-

cessors with the Romans-Victories of Nicephorus Phocas

and John Zimisces over the Moslems-Causes of the Down-

fall of the Abbassides-Despotic Power of the Turkish Guards

-Ravages and Cruelties of the Karmathians-Dismember-

ment of the Empire into independent Principalities-Persia

usurped by petty Dynasties-Conquests of Mahmoud of

Ghizni in India-Irruptions of the Tartars-Togrul Beg ap-

pointed Viceroy of the Mohammedan Dominions-Hoolaku

lays Siege to Bagdad-Surrender and Pillage of that Capital

-Death of Mostasem and Extinction of the Caliphate Page 9

CHAPTER II.

CALIPHS OF AFRICA, EGYPT, AND SPAIN.

The Aglabites or Caliphs of Cairoan-Military Exploits of the

Western Arabs-Reduction of Crete-Conquest of Sicily-

Invasion of Italy-Pillage of Rome-Siege of Gaeta-Naval

Victory of the Christians-Subjugation of Corsica and Sardi

nia by the Saracens-Expulsion of the Aglabites-Moorish

Kingdom of Timbuctoo-Dynasty of the Fatimites in Egypt

-Their Subversion by Saladin, Founder of the Ayubites-

Dynasty of the Ommiades in Spain founded by Abdalrahman

Their Power and Magnificence-Extinction of the Caliph

ate-Conquest of Granada by Ferdinand-Wealth and Popu

lation of the Moorish Capitals-The Government, Arms, and

Military Tactics of the Arabs--Revenue, Trade, and Marine

of Spain under the Saracens-Reduction of Sicily by the

Normans, and final Overthrow of the Mohammedan Power in

Europe.

CHAPTER III.

LITERATURE OF THE ARABS.

39

The Arabs turn their Attention to Learning-Their rapid Pro

gress-Literary Ardour and Patronage of the Caliphs-Haroun

al Raschid-Almamoun-Vathek-College of Mostanser at

Bagdad-Academies and Libraries founded in Persia, Syria,

Egypt, Africa, and Spain-Course of Study in the Saracen

Schools-Grammar- Rhetoric-Poetry-Tales - Arabian

Nights' Entertainments-Story-tellers-History-Biography-

-

Numismatics-Geography-Statistics-Metaphysics - Medi-

cine and Medical Authors-Rhazes-Avicenna-Pharmacy-

Anatomy and Surgery-Botany-Chymistry-Astrology-As-

tronomy-Optics-Mathematics-Trigonometry-Algebra-

Arithmetic-Architecture-The Fine Arts-Painting-Cal-

ligraphy-Music-Agriculture-Manufactures in Steel, Por-

celain, and Leather-Claims of the Arabs as the Restorers

of Letters and the Importers of useful Arts and Inventions

into Europe

CHAPTER IV.

CIVIL HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF ARABIA.

60

Extinction of the Saracen Power-Formation of new Kingdoms

in the East-Victories and Dominions of Timur-Conquests

of the Turks and Portuguese in Arabia-Selim I. obtains the

Investiture of the Caliphate-Expulsion of the Turks by the

Independent Arab Chiefs-Dominions of the Imam of Sanaa

-His Government, Revenues, and Military Force-Descrip-

tion of Sanaa-Visits of European Travellers to that Capital

-Principal Towns in Yemen-Beit el Fakih-Taas-Mocha

-Aden-Government of Hadramaut-Of Oman-Description

of Muscat-Court, Revenues, and Commercial Enterprise of

the Imam-Islands of Bahrein-Pearl Fisheries-Depreda

tions of the Joassamee Pirates in the Persian Gulf-Various

Expeditions from India to suppress them-Reduction of Ras

el Khyma and their principal Fortresses-Arab Settlers on

the Persian Frontier-Classification of the wandering Be-

douin Tribes-Their migratory Habits and Military Strength

-Government of their Sheiks-Their Laws and Judicial

Trials-Reflections on their Political Institutions

108