Concise History of Humanity
The Concise History of Humanity or Chronicles (Arabic: 'Tarikhu 'al-Mukhtasar fi Akhbar al-Bashar المختصر في أخبار البشر'), or Tarikh Abi al-Fida تاريخ أبى الفداء (History of Abu al-Fida), is a history book written by Abu al-Fida Ismail Ibn Hamwi in 1315 and continued by the author to 1329.
Contents
It extends from the creation of the world and is a universal history dealing with pre-Islamic and Islamic history down to 1329. It was translated into Latin, French and English.
Abu al-Fida relies on his own sources and his own experiences (he was at the front of events as a fighter) but also very much on the great historian of Mosul preceding him, Ibn al-Athir. Such is the importance of this work that it was continued by many after him, including by Ibn al-Wardi who continued it to 1348, and by Ibn al-Shihna al-Halabi who continued it to 1403.
Stature
Its stature was appreciated by early Western orientalists. Many partial editions of the work were made in the West, the first by John Cagnier (1670-1740). It was published in 1754 by Reiske, and was for a long time the most important Muslim historical work known in the West.
External links
- Biographical Data, by M. Nauman Khan / Ghulam Mohiuddin, Salaam Knowledge, retrieved April 20, 2006
- Tabari, by Jamil Ahmad, Renaissance Pakistan, retrieved April 21, 2006
