An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades: Memoirs of Usamah Ibn-Munqidh 0231121253, 9780231121255

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A N A R A B -SY R IA N G E N T L E M A N A N D W A R R IO R IN T H E P E R IO D O F T H E C R U SA D ES

R E C O R D S O F W E S T E R N C IV IL IZ A T IO N

Courtesy of Dr, T, Saliourn, Hamah, Syria

A T o w e r o f t h e C a s tle o f Sh ayzar One of the best preserved towers of the castle, as seen from the northeast.

AN

ARAB-SYRIAN GENTLEMAN AND WARRIOR IN

THE PERIOD OF THE CRUSADES M E M O IR S O F U SA M A H IB N -M U N Q ID H ( k it ä b

a l - i ‘t ib Ar )

TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT BY

PHILIP K. HITTI PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

W ith a new foreword by Richard W . Bulliet

Columbia University Press New York

Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893

New York

Chichester, W est Sussex

Foreword copyright © 2000 Columbia University Press Copyright © 1929,1957 Columbia University Press Copyright © 1987 Princeton University Press Copyright © 2000 M rs. Viola H . W inder All rights reserved Library o f Congress Cataloging-in-Publication D ata Usamah ibn M unqidh, 1095- 1188. [I'tibar. English] A n Arab-Syrian gentleman and warrior in the period o f the Crusades : memoirs o f Usamah ibn M unqidh ; translated from the original manuscript by Philip K. H itti. p. cm. — (Records o f western civilization) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0- 231- 12124-5 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0- 231- 12125-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1 . Syria — H istory — 750- 1260. 2. Crusades. 3. Usamah ibn M unqidh, 1095- 1188. 4. Crusades —Personal narratives. I. H itti, Philip Khuri, 1886- . II. T ide. III. Series. D S97.3 .U813 2000 956.91*02— dc21

Casebound editions o f Columbia University Press books are printed on perm anent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the U nited States o f America

c 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 p 10 9 8 7 6 5

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is a series published under the auspices of the Interdepartmental Committee on Medieval and Renaissance Studies of the Columbia University Graduate School. The Western Records are, in fact, a new incarnation of a venerable series, the Columbia Records of Civilization, which, for more than half a century, published sources and studies concerning great liter­ ary and historical landmarks. Many of the volumes of that series retain value, especially for their translations into English of primary sources, and the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Committee is pleased to cooperate with Columbia University Press in reissuing a selection of those works in paperback editions, especially suited for classroom use, and in limited clothbound editions. RECO RD S O F W E S T E R N

c iv il iz a t io n

A complete series list follows the index. Committee for the Records of Western Civilization

Joan M. Ferrante Carmela Vircillo Franklin Robert Hanning Robert Somerville, editor

CONTENTS PAGE F oreword P reface Introduction

xiii xvii 3

SECTION I WARS, TRAVELS AND OTHER EXPERIENCES 1. F ighting

against the

F r a n k s .................................................

25

Zanki’s victory near Qinnasrîn, 25. The Byzantines and Franks besiege Shayzar, 25.

2. U sämah’s F irst Sojourn 3. U sämah

in

in

D amascus, 1138-1144

E gypt, 1144-1154

a .d .

. .

a .d ...............................................

28 30

M utiny in the Egyptian army, 30. Ibn-al-Sallär’s successful revolt against al-?äfir, 31. Ibn-M açâl, the rival of ibn-al-Sallär, defeated, 32. The F ätimite caliph conspires to kill his vizier, 33. Usämah saves a fugitive negro, 33. A forger beheaded, 34. The coöperation of Nür-al-Dïn is sought against the Franks, 34. A curious Arab tribe a t al-Jafr, 35. Lost in the desert, 37. The treasure bag lost, 38. Usämah’s interview with Nür-al-Dïn, 39. The cleft a t Petra Mosque, 39. An encounter with the Franks a t ‘Asqalän, 40. Another encounter on the way back from B ayt-Jibril, 41. An assault on Yubna, 42. Usämah’s brother killed, 42. Al-‘Ädil murdered, 42. ‘Abbäs becomes vizier, 44. The caliph instigates ibn-’Abbäs against his father, 44. The caliph assassinated by his vizier, 45. Al-?äfir’s son proclaimed caliph, 46. Other members of the royal family put to death, 47. The watchman dies performing his duty, 47. ’Abbäs subdues the rebels, 47. ’Abbäs resolves to depart for Syria, 48. ’Abbäs pre­ pares for the trip, 49. A conspiracy is hatched, 50. Usämah wounded, 52. ’Abbäs killed by the Franks, 53. Perils a t Petra, 53. Arrival in Damascus, 54. The story of a rich saddle belonging to Usämah, 54. The unheeded example of al-Af