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IMC 2014: Sessions

Session 719: Were the Umayyad Caliphates Empires?, I

Tuesday 8 July 2014, 14.15-15.45

Organiser:Ann R. Christys, Independent Scholar, Leeds
Moderator/Chair:Ann R. Christys, Independent Scholar, Leeds
Paper 719-aIn What Respects Was the Umayyad Empire an Empire?
(Language: English)
Andrew Marsham, School of Literatures, Languages & Cultures, University of Edinburgh
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Political Thought
Paper 719-bThe Umayyad Imperial Rationale and Hijazi Elites
(Language: English)
Harry Munt, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Political Thought
Paper 719-cRulers and Rebels: Kharijite Resistance to Umayyad Authority in Early Islamic Historiography
(Language: English)
Hannah-Lena Hagemann, Institute of Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Islamic and Arabic Studies, Political Thought
Abstract

Historians of Islam in the early Middle Ages have used the terms 'Umayyad Caliphate' and 'Islamic empire' interchangeably, with the assumption that Umayyad rule perpetuated patterns of ancient and late antique tributary empire. This is the first of two sessions that propose to consider aspects of this question. Contributors will consider the applicability of the term 'empire' to Umayyad rule from Damascus as it is reflected in the Arabic historical tradition. This will be illustrated with special reference to the Hijaz, and to the significance of Islamic ideology for the shape of the Umayyad 'empire' and the opposition to Umayyad rule.