Baghdad vs. Damascus: a walk in Abū l-Hakam's shoes
Abū l-Hakam’s poem on badly made shoes doesn’t just champion Damascus over Baghdad. It’s truly invested in intellectual fun. … Read the post Baghdad vs. Damascus: a walk in Abū l-Hakam's shoes
Ibn Abi Usaybiah
Commentary on Ibn Abi Usaybi’ah’s History of Physicians, which was written in Arabic in thirteenth-century Damascus. Ibn Abi Usaybi’ah’s book describes physicians and medical practices from the origin of medicine to the thirteenth century.
Marian aretalogy of an impious Christian physician to Abbasid caliphs
An aretalogy fragment from the early Abbasid caliphate features the Christian physician Yūhannā ibn Māsawayhi, known also for being crude and impious. … Read the post Marian aretalogy of an impious Christian physician to Abbasid caliphs
Bakhtīshū chooses season for relaxation
The tale of Bakhtīshū’s great wealth evokes the wonder and marvel of fabulous, season-dominating luxury. That Bakhtīshū was Christian doesn’t figure. … Read the post Bakhtīshū chooses season for relaxation
ibn Butlān and ibn Ridwān in vicious intellectual competition
In the 11th century, the eminent physicians ibn Butlān and ibn Ridwān viciously disputed the question “which is warmer, the chick or the chicken?” … Read the post ibn Butlān and ibn Ridwān in vicious intellectual competition
managing patients: physicians serving early Islamic rulers
Physicians were highly influential figures in rulers’ courts in the early Islamic world, but managing ruler-patients was far from easy. … Read the post managing patients: physicians serving early Islamic rulers
Christian fearlessness under early Roman persecution
Early Christians were known for fearlessness in facing death under Roman religious persecution. … Read the post Christian fearlessness under early Roman persecution
early Islamic stories shift heroes from deeds to ideals
Compared to ancient Greek stories, early Islamic stories shift narrative weight from deeds to ideals. … Read the post early Islamic stories shift heroes from deeds to ideals
poetic currency of ancient Islamic social distinction
Poetry was a common currency for claiming social distinction in the ancient Islamic world. … Read the post poetic currency of ancient Islamic social distinction
the perfect physician can revive the dead
Fulfilling a universal human hope is a physician who can revive the dead: the perfect physician. … Read the post the perfect physician can revive the dead
Indian and Greek medicine competing in eighth-century Baghdad
Greek medicine prevailed over Indian medicine under the Abbasids at least in part through story-telling and courtly politics. … Read the post Indian and Greek medicine competing in eighth-century Baghdad