Queens, Eunuchs and Concubines in Islamic History, 661-1257

Description

Based on original and previously unexamined sources, this book provides a critical and systematic analysis of the role of women, mothers, wives, eunuchs, concubines, qahramans and atabegs in the dynamics and manipulation of medieval Islamic politics. Spanning over 600 years, Taef El-Azhari explores gender and sexual politics and power: from the time of the Prophet Muhammad through the Umayyad and Abbasid periods to the Mamluks in the 15th century, and from Iran and Central Asia to North Africa and Spain. Contents Illustrations Acknowledgements Chronology Map of the Muslim Middle East Figures Introduction 1 The Umayyad Empire and the Establishment of a Royal Court, 661–750 2 Princesses, Concubines and Qahramanat under the ‘Abbasids: Gender and Politics, 749–1055 The Kingdom of Eunuchs under the ‘Abbasids 4 Fatimid Royal Women and Royal Concubines in Politics: The Rise of the First Queens of Islam 5 The Fatimid Eunuchs and their Sphere 6 The Seljuqs from Syria to Iran: The Age of Khatuns and Atabegs 7 The Ayyubids: Their Two Queens and their Powerful Castrated Atabegs Appendix 1. The Abbasid Caliphs from 749 to the Coming of the Seljuqs in 1055 Appendix 2. The Fatimid Caliphs, North Africa and Egypt Appendix 3. Dynasties Glossary Bibliography Index