Early Islamic Spain

David James was Special Lecturer in Arabic Studies at University College Dublin, where he also taught a course on Islamic Spain. He is the author of Manuscripts of the Holy Qur’an from the Mamluk Era and has lived and worked in Andalucia for the last ten years.

"The publication of a translated edition of Ibn al-Qutiyya’s early history on Islamic Spain provides scholars of al-Andalus with a valuable resource... The introduction provides a history of the manuscript, from its earliest sources to modern editions of the text the tradition. James also sheds light on the tradition and culture of historical writing in the early Islamic tradition, as well as providing the reader with indispensable information about the life and times of Ibn al-Qutiyya... The translation is smooth and the transliteration of Arabic names and terms is thorough. Additionally, James includes in his volume six appendices, a well-constructed bibliography, and an index, making this book readily accessible to a wide readership." - William Granara, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Harvard University; American Academy of Research Historians of Medieval Spain Newsletter, Spring 2010"What makes the text unusal, and the publication of David James' translation and commentary very welcome, is the level of attention its author pays to the roles of Christians, and converts to Islam of Christian origin, in Andalusi public life... Rather than relying solely on the existing editions - all of which contain, as James notes, mistakes and omissions- James returned to the manuscript for his translation. His labour has paid off, and we are thus in the curious position of having a translation that is a fuller and more accurate reflection of the manuscript than any previous edition." - Nicola Clarke, The Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African studies, Volume 73/3 - 2010

• Introduction: The History of the History Part 1: Translation: The History of Ibn al- Qutiya (d. 367 / 977) 1. Tariq ibn Ziyad Invades al-Andalus 2. The Governors of the Damascus Caliphate (92–136 / 711–756) 3. The Arrival of ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Mu‘awiya and his Reign as Emir (138–172 / 756–788) 4. The Reign of the Emir Hisham (172–180 / 788–796) 5. The Reign of the Emir al-Hakam (180–206 / 796–822) 6. The Reign of the Emir ‘Abd al-Rahman II (796–238 / 822–852) 7. The Reign of the Emir Muhammad (238–273 / 852–886) 8. The Reign of the Emir al-Mundhir (273–275 / 886–888) 9. The Reign of the Emir ‘Abdallah (275–300 / 888–912) 10. The Reign of the Emir / Caliph ‘Abdal-Rahman III (300-350 / 912–961) Part 2: Notes and Comments. Appendices