The Abbasid Caliphate
The medieval period is very prominent and popular among historians given that, this is the period that was regarded as being dark but in reality it influenced the modern spiritual, scientific, economic, cultural and political aspects. Even though the medieval era had a significant impact on humanity, there were still other powers that emerged during that period, and they include the Abbasid caliphate and the Byzantine Empire. This paper will mainly look at how the powerful states in the Abbasid Caliphate in the tenth century established their courts as well as what roles those courts had.
Looking at the article “On the Courtiers and Familiars of Kings” is clear that there is no king can be without worthy courtiers. In most cases, kings choose courtiers whom they are familiar with and who they will get along with ease without constraints. The courtiers were also supposed to be honourable and of excellent character, of a cheerful disposition and irreproachable in respect of their clean liver, discreet and religion (Levy). The king of the Caliph was very keen so that he could not make a familiar of anyone individual appointed to office especially the courtier given that the freedom the appointee enjoys may see them practice extortion and that process the king’s subjects can be harmed.
The courtiers were ever easing with the king, and this gave the king ease and pleasure for relaxation. The courtiers also had the fun to meet the king every time, especially after every occasion that the king attended with his subjects and great officers. Looking at the nature of the courts of the Caliph, there were many advantages of having a courtier (Levy). One of the benefits of a courtier was that the courtier was a friend to the king, and this saw the courtiers join the king’s company day and night. In most occasions, the king and the courtiers spent most of the time being together, and the courtiers acted as the bodyguards. If any danger occurred, the courtier was expected to sacrifice his own body to ward off any peril from harming the king.
Also, the courtier was a great individual in the emperor, given that he had the opportunity to hold many conversations on various topics with the king, whereby he even carried information about the vassals. The courtier had a chance to converse with the king most of the things in the freest manner, given that he had an opportunity to sit with the king while they were drunk or sober (Levy). The courtiers were required to always agree with the king, and the king well-remunerated them as that could give them the honour among the retainers as well as the desire to be the king’s friend.
Looking at the article “Baghdad under the Abbasids”, it is clear that Baghdad was referred to as “the city of the Arabian nights” by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur since its foundation in the 764CE. The city of Baghdad is famous among the Muslim community; given that, it represents the crown of medieval Muslim civilization. The city of Baghdad was formed between two vast semi-circles on the right and left banks of the Tigris, which covers the diameter of twelve miles (Davis). During the days of prosperity, the population of Baghdad and its suburbs was almost two million. The city was covered with numerous suburbs, gardens parks, villas and beautiful promenades and finely built mosques.
The palace was constructed amid vast grassland which was beside a menagerie and aviary comprised of an enclosure for wild animals which were reserved for the chase. The city of Baghdad was surrounded by water on the North and south (Davis). The water was like the city gates, which guarded the city at night and day. The soldiers were only stationed on the watchtowers on both sides of the river. Baghdad was a veritable city which hosted the marble palace. The other buildings in the city and the palace were lavishly decorated and gilded and hung with beautiful brocades and tapestry. The mosques of the city were large and were strikingly beautiful (Davis). The city of Baghdad also had lunatic asylums, infirmities for both sexes, hospitals and numerous learning institutions.