THE ECLIPSE OF THE ABBAS1DS.* Terse seven volumes—three of Arabic
text, three of trans- lation, and one containing the Preface and Indices—form a great historical work, welcome to all interested in Islam and especially -valuable 'because it provides materials for studying a period that -has hitherto had scanty light thrown upon its obscurity. The Annals of Tabari include but a few years of
the-tenth century A.D., when the Abbasid Caliphate, if not quite eclipsed, was almost overshadowed by the Buwaihid dominion.
Of this epoch the principal contemporary historian is Miskawaih (not Ibn Miskawaih, as he is generally called : Professor Mar- goliouth shows that the name belongs to the son, not to the father), who held subordinate posts under several of the Buwai- hids and "had access to the State secrets without being personally concerned in them to any great extent." That he was an accom- plished man and a -versatile writer appears from the list of his works, which comprises a cookery book and a treatise on morals.
His Universal History is well known to Orientalists. A photo- graphic facsimile of the part dealing with the Buwaihids had already been published in the Gibb Memorial Series, but the text printed in the -first two volumes of the present edition is
far easier to read and is also more correct, while Professor Margolicrath's translation and notes enable it to be studied with profit even by those who are not experts. Admitting that Miskawaih's chronicle, like all Oriental histories, often leaves out what is really important, the editor thinks it is on the whole one of the most instructive in the Arabic language :-
" For a considerable portion of it the author writes about persons whom he knew intimately, and institutions with which ho was himself familiar. For two of his employers, Muhallabi and Ibn al- Amid 1., he has admiration which approaches enthusiasm.; yet this admiration does not induce him to conceal deflexions on their part from the path of wisdom and honour. His power of oharacter-drawing is Temarlmble ; each of the host of characters who come upon the stage is easily distinguish- able, and the more important, of whom the number is very considerable, are exceedingly lifelike. . . . The ruin of the Caliphate by Muqtadir, the rise of the various adventurers who were ultimately superseded by the Buwaihid dynasties, the series of events which substituted for an empire a group of principalities, is recounted by him in a manner which appeals at once to the reason and the imagination."
To European readers the idea that any individual was responsible for the collapse of the Caliphate will hardly commend itself. The system of government was such that while its evils might
be aggravated by a weak Caliph, it required a ruler of excep- tional ability and energy to overcome them,; and the bureau- cracy, of -course, preferred that the head of the State should be a tool in its hands. Muqtadir himself owed his appointment
• The Eclipse of the Abbasid Caliphate : Original Chronicles of the Fourth pgarNe Oeshrr . Edited. translated and elucidated by H. F. Amedroz and D. B. Marzollouth. Oxford ; Basil Blackwell, 1921. (57 7s. net.j to a vizier who acted -upon the advice given him by a high official who seen afterwards-succeeded him as Prime-Minister. "Why," said le, " should you introduce a man who will govern and knows our resources, who will administer -affairs himself and regard himself as independent ? Why not deliver the empire to a man who will leave you to administer it ? " The vizier, on the other hand, 'frequently gained office by intrigue or by premises to extract money from wealthy rivals, while on his dismissal he and his whole staff were liable to be heavily fined and put to the torture if they refused to pay the sum demanded. Thus -peculation was encouraged and economy became a •des- perate expedient. All ibn Ise, finding the expenditure greatly in excess of the revenue, cut down the salaries of the civil and military officials, who at once started to plot against him and in a short time brought about his fall. Miskawaih's pages are entertaining as well as informing. He tells how " in the summer season " there appeared at Baghdad a creature which 'the people called zabzab ; it was seen on the roofs of houses and was said to devour small children. In order to calm the terrified citizens, " the Sultan got hold of a strange white beast like a sea-hound," and proclaiming that he had caught the zabzab, hung it on an " ostrich " upon the Upper Bridge and left it there till it died. This had little effect, however, and they continued to keep guard at night on the roofs, while thieves and housebreakers were busy below. Then the moon waxed and the zabzab was seen no more. The author gives a very interesting eccount of Hallaj, the notorious Sufi who said " I am God." That was not the only cause of his execution, as is commonly alleged ; the charges on which he was condemned are set forth dearly by Miska- wails, who also relates a story concerning his extraordinary powers of " elongation." Professor Margoliouth observes that the same phenomenon, on a lesser scale, is recorded in the autobiography of D. D. Home, and another famous Persian mystic, Bayazid of Bistam, is said to have been able to occupy either as much or as little space as he wished. There is plenty of history in these volumes, but an Oriental -chronicle has the charm of unexpectedness : one never knows what curious matter may suddenly crop up. As regards the translation, its fidelity may be taken for granted, and it is always pleasant to read. But -why " rooves " To his colleague, Mr. Amedroz, who planned this edition and passed away before the printing of the Arabic text was com- pleted, leaving a fund to cover the expenses of the whole work, Professor Margoliouth pays a deserved tribute. It may be hoped that he will find the means of carrying out his intention to add an introductory volume, tabulating the information furnished by Miskawaih and contemporary historians about the political and social institutions of a period which in his preface he compares with the eighteenth century in England. Such a resume, if prepared by so eminent an authority, would not only draw out from the mass of details much that cannot now be seen in its full significance but would be a valuable addition to our knowledge of Islamic history and civilization. In the meantime we are grateful for -the Index, which is thoroughly well done and gives many a clue that is worth following.
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