Ibn al-Sai, translated from the Arabic by Shawkat M. Toorawa
Consorts of the Caliphs: Women and the Court of Baghdad by Ibn al Sai, translated from the Arabic by Shawkat M. Toorawa, provides a fascinating glimpse into the words and deeds of the consorts of caliphs over a five-hundred-year period. The earliest consort is Hammadah Bint Isa, the wife of Caliph Mansur (she died around 780 C.E.); the latest is Shahan, the consort of Caliph al-Muntasir (she died around 1254 C.E).
Ibn al Sai was a literary scholar, historian, and librarian. Born in Baghdad, his dates are 1197-1276 C.E. With unfettered access to official archives of the caliphate, Ibn al Sai wrote history books of which only few fragments have survived. Consorts of the Caliphs is his only work to survive in its entirety.
To compile this work, Ibn al Sai poured over archives and meticulously recorded the chain of oral transmission to authenticate his biographical research concerning each of the 39 women included in his work. There are anecdotes about the women, their personal narratives, poems, and charitable donations. The exorbitant amounts paid to purchase them are recorded, as are the precious gems and copious gold coins they received when called upon to compose a pleasing impromptu poem.
Consorts were referred to as wives, concubines, or slaves. But these were not slaves in the traditional sense. These women were well-respected and loved. Some were wealthy, owning palaces and wielding enormous influence with the caliphs and their sons. They were accomplished poets and singers. Many frequently surpassed their male counterparts in impromptu competitions in poetry and singing, earning the respect of the court. Some endowed law colleges; established lending libraries from their personal collection; funded the building of bridges and the reparation of infrastructure; and gave generously to the needy, especially women and children. Their deaths were mourned; their funeral services were frequently led by caliphs.
These brief biographical sketches shatter stereotypes and challenge the notion that the consorts of the caliphs were one homogenous, sexually exploited group of women. They were intelligent, articulate, resourceful, influential, witty, accomplished, talented, respected, generous, and loved. They had distinct personalities and assumed a variety of roles in the caliphs’ courts. To read about them and to hear them speak in their own voices through their poems going back 1,200 years is nothing short of fascinating. And what makes this work even more astonishing is that nearly 1,000 years ago, an Iraqi male scholar recognized their importance and diligently and methodically conducted and documented research to preserve their legacy for posterity.
This scholarly edition, produced by the editors of the Library of Arabic Literature, includes an introduction explaining methodology, maps, family trees of the caliphs, footnotes, a thorough index, and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
Highly recommended as an invaluable resource for shining a light on the consorts of the Abbasid caliphs.