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The Campaign of 716–718, from Arabic Sources

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 December 2013

Extract

In the work known as Khitab Al ‘Uyun, or Book of Springs, pp. 24–33, is contained a long narrative of the disastrous siege of Constantinople by the Arabs in 717–8, which, owing to its great length, I was unable to include in my article on the ‘The Arabs in Asia Minor’ in J.H.S. xviii, p. 182 ff. This work dates from the latter half of the 11th century, and in its present state appears to have been written in Spain, but is clearly drawn from early Eastern sources. Unfortunately the author does not, like most Arabic historians, mention his sources; but from a comparison with the narrative of Al Tabari it is clear that his chief, if not his only, authorities were Al Wakidi and Al Madaini, both of whom wrote in the early part of the 9th century and are earlier in date than any extant Arabic chroniclers.

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Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1899

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