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Medieval Islamic Swords and Swordmaking by Robert Hoyland & Bruce Gilmour & James Allan
Kindi's Treatise on Swords and Their Kinds
This text and a translation of the medieval treatise "On swords and their kinds", written by the 9th century Muslim philosopher Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi, with a commentary on the work, discusses the difference between iron and steel, distinguishes different types and qualities of sword blade, and different centres of swordsmithing.One of the problems pervading the study of medieval Islamic technology is the lack of surviving technical treatises. Tradition tended to be handed down by example and by word of mouth, and apprenticeships could last for decades. Fortunately, however, occasional treatises do exist. The treatise "On swords and their kinds" was written by the 9th century Muslim philosopher Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Kindi. This work was commissioned by a powerful patron of scholarship, the Abbasid caliph Mu'tasim, and the content of the treatise presumably reflects the ruler's general interest in his army and its equipment, and his specific interest in the technical aspects of sword production. In this work, Kindi discusses the difference between iron and steel, distinguishes different qualities of sword blade, and different centres of swordsmithing. He refers to the Indian Ocean trade in steel ingots and to the distinctive character of European swords of the period. He includes technical terms used by the makers, and distinguishes swords by their physical features - form, measurements, weight, watered pattern, sculptured details, or inlaid ornaments. This publication includes the text and a translation of Kindi's treatise, and a detailed commentary on the work. The volume also includes a translation of Friedrich Schwarzlose's work on swords, which is based on the hundreds of references to swords in early Arabic poetry. Written in German, this extraordinary compendium of information was first published some 120 years ago; this volume makes it available again, and for the first time in English. |
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| Author(s) : Robert Hoyland & Bruce Gilmour & James Allan | Format : Hardback Book |
| ISBN-10 : 0906094526 | ISBN-13 : 9780906094525 |
| RRP : £30.00 | Best available price : £ / $ |
| Prices as of : BST check live prices | |
Product Details:
Country Publication : United Kingdom
Publication Date : 15/05/2004
Publisher : The E.J.W. Gibb Memorial Trust
Page Length : 200mm
Page Size : 242mm