Slave soldiers are a distinctively Muslim phenomenon. Though virtually unknown in the non-Muslim world; they have been a constant and pervasive feature of the Muslim Middle East from the ninth century AD into modern times. Why did Muslim rulers choose to place military and political power in the hands of imported slaves? It is this question which Dr Crone seeks to answer. Concentrating on the period from the rise of the Umayyads to the dissolution of the 'Abbasid empire (roughly AD 650-850); she documents the consequences of the fusion between religion and politics in Islam; which she sees as an essential forging characteristic of the Muslim social structure and state. Primarily addressed to specialists and advanced students of Arabic and Islamic history; the book will also appeal to comparative historians and social anthropologists.
#1194855 in Books Cambridge University Press 1984-08-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.98 x .63 x 5.98l; 1.07 #File Name: 0521318963280 pages
Review
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Very detailed.By Michael ValdivielsoThe book really gets into the nuts and bolts of the empires; showing you how ideas could give birth to and help expand the two cultures. But it also shows how the same ideas could hinder and even start to destroy the empires later in their existance. Yet it is not hard to read and even delightful at some points. They answer alot of questions I had about the Aztec and Inca; making sure to support everything they say with lots of details. A must of any history library.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Excelent; well thoughtout argumentsBy M. HickmanI read this book as part of a research project into the rise and fall of the Mexica; or Aztec. This book offered an interesting view of the Aztec; as a warfaring society which was propelled by a religous zelous that got out of hand and eventually caused the destabilization of a great empire. While I happen to disagree with certain arguments in this book they are all well justified with valid arguments. This field is constantly changing and is full of writers who don't have the background or the backing for their arguments; this is not one of them. Conrad and Demerest use fresh; compelling; and well thoughtout arguments to make an interesting point. If researching the Inca and Aztec this is a must read to achieve a good view of these two expansionist empires.6 of 11 people found the following review helpful. This book is excellent.By A CustomerIt explains how modern/western thought fails when applied to the cultures of the Aztecs and Incas. This book is good for beginning students for the narrative is easy to follow. However; it is outstanding for the more advanced scholar. This book would make a great companion book to broader studies of these two cultures. The authors criticise modern archaeology for its dogmatic unbending views.The authors also take modern political theory and apply it to these ancient cultures. What happens is that it falls apart. Marx; Hegel; et al have met their match against these ancient ones. What a great departure from the faulty theories of socialism communism.
