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Hi.
@ One of the things I do in Syria is translating the chronicle of Yahya al-Antaki (John of Antioch, but not the same as another fameous historian of this name) to polish. It is tiresome, but sometimes addictive, and thanks to it, I make use of the time I would otherwise waste. But because of it, I have less contacts with locals, which is bad.
@ What You need to know is that Yahya came from Antioch, the ancient capital of Syria (nowdays Antakya/Hatay in Turkey, though Syria considers it part of its territory), lived in XI century and was the melchite (greek-orthodox; nowdays "melchites" is a name attributed to greek-catholics) patriarch of Alexandria.
@ I planned to translate it into english as well, but it's a lot of work, especially that my english is not perfect, I would have to train it and spend even more time on this time than I spend on polish translation probably. Also, it seems that it was translated to english already, though it is not a very popular or reknown translation, I came across only one mention of it. I don't know if it is translation of full text anyway, or just a partial one, like french or russian ones.
@ I've read 355 (of about 460) pages and looked up the words to it, but have written translation of something like 170 pages only. The difference comes from that I've read a lot (150 pages) during my Kurdistan journey. Sometimes I come across difficulties, including big ones, but mostly it just takes a lot of time and thinking. Some words and sentences I will have to consult with my teachers.
@ Anyway, I decided to share some interesting parts of it will You. Not all at once, though.
My translations, unlike my translations to polish, are quick ones (and based on my polish translation, not directly on arabic version), so please forgive me all the mistakes. I will welcome any language corrections, for I am learning this way.
@ My first picture of ME history is the Roman siege of Ar-Ruha (Orhai, Edessa, today urfa, Sanliurfa; You can see pictures of it in my Syria thread, as well as of mentioned Nisibis. I would have pictures of Baghdad as well, were it not for USA. Down with Bush.).
@ At this time, at the second half of X century, byzantine reconquista was gaining upperhand over muslim attempts of defence. Despite the efforts of last great Arab warrior (but Al-Asads, of course
), Sayf ad-Dawlah al-Hamdani (Sword of the State, of Hamdanid dinasty; his first name was 'Ali).
@ I use the true name of "Romans" for Byzantines, and "kings" for their emperors, as well as I use simplified transription.
*1 - of higra, AH
*2 - Diyar Bakr, which mean houses (land) of Bakr. It's a region around upper Tigris, today in turkish Kurdistan, with Amida/Amed/Diyarbakir as its capital. It was the craddle of Hamdanids.
*3 - Nisibis, today Nusaybin in turkish Kurdistan, though Assyrians probably think of it as part of Assyria. It was once the most important Roman fort on Persian boarder, until emperor Iovian was forced to hand it over to Sassanians after the unsuccessful Julian the Apostate's expedition. After the nestorians left Roman Empire, the theological school of Edessa settled in Nisibis. It was reknown as "The School of Persians". Also, the first and coolest of syrian monks described by Theodoret, st Jacob of Nisibis, used to live there.
*4 - muslim shari'ah judges
*5 - muslim shari'ah jurists
*6 - peace be upon Him
*7 - Dar al-Kufr; according to muslim political, religious and legal ideology of that times, world is divided into Dar al-islam -house=land of islam- where muslims rule and muslim law is implemented, and Dar al-Kufr, the land (house) of paganism, where it is not so, and therefore, which should be conquered. Some countries, like nubian kingdom of Makurra, had an uncertain status, though
*8 - or "city"
@ The wrap the chronicle mentions is no other than fameous Mandillion (mandil means "a wrap" in semitic languages, including arabic). The existance of the wrap is attested in the legend of St Abgar, which I have once, with great pains, read during my syriac lessons. The story claims that Abgar, the king of small Osroene kingdom with capital in Orhai (Edessa), got to know about Jesus and called him to visit him. Jesus could not do it, but sent him the image of himself on a wrap.
@ Another story, the one believed by catholics, states that when Christ was led to crucifixion, a lady named Berenice (Verenice) pitied him and wiped his face, or did that to gain something in token of his remembrance. Anyway, his face stayed on the wrap. Her name, once popular (especially among Ptolemies), was changed and remembered as Veronica, because it is close to what means in latin "The true image".
@ Anyway, the wrap was kept in Constantinople as one of its most sacred reliques until the IV crusade, when it was either destroyed, or robbed, as most of byzantine reliques. I don't remember when exactly, for it is not byzantine or arabic history, but after this event, in XIII or XIV century, the so-called shroud of Turin appeared in western Europe.
To get You in some mood, I attach some pics from the cities the chronicle mentions in this part. These are the same as in Syria thread, but perhaps not all have seen them. They have (except for the castle) little to do with it, though. They are just for making this thread nicer.
First pic - Edessa. The place of Abraham's birth and part of the castle
@ One of the things I do in Syria is translating the chronicle of Yahya al-Antaki (John of Antioch, but not the same as another fameous historian of this name) to polish. It is tiresome, but sometimes addictive, and thanks to it, I make use of the time I would otherwise waste. But because of it, I have less contacts with locals, which is bad.
@ What You need to know is that Yahya came from Antioch, the ancient capital of Syria (nowdays Antakya/Hatay in Turkey, though Syria considers it part of its territory), lived in XI century and was the melchite (greek-orthodox; nowdays "melchites" is a name attributed to greek-catholics) patriarch of Alexandria.
@ I planned to translate it into english as well, but it's a lot of work, especially that my english is not perfect, I would have to train it and spend even more time on this time than I spend on polish translation probably. Also, it seems that it was translated to english already, though it is not a very popular or reknown translation, I came across only one mention of it. I don't know if it is translation of full text anyway, or just a partial one, like french or russian ones.
@ I've read 355 (of about 460) pages and looked up the words to it, but have written translation of something like 170 pages only. The difference comes from that I've read a lot (150 pages) during my Kurdistan journey. Sometimes I come across difficulties, including big ones, but mostly it just takes a lot of time and thinking. Some words and sentences I will have to consult with my teachers.
@ Anyway, I decided to share some interesting parts of it will You. Not all at once, though.
My translations, unlike my translations to polish, are quick ones (and based on my polish translation, not directly on arabic version), so please forgive me all the mistakes. I will welcome any language corrections, for I am learning this way.
@ My first picture of ME history is the Roman siege of Ar-Ruha (Orhai, Edessa, today urfa, Sanliurfa; You can see pictures of it in my Syria thread, as well as of mentioned Nisibis. I would have pictures of Baghdad as well, were it not for USA. Down with Bush.).
@ At this time, at the second half of X century, byzantine reconquista was gaining upperhand over muslim attempts of defence. Despite the efforts of last great Arab warrior (but Al-Asads, of course
), Sayf ad-Dawlah al-Hamdani (Sword of the State, of Hamdanid dinasty; his first name was 'Ali).@ I use the true name of "Romans" for Byzantines, and "kings" for their emperors, as well as I use simplified transription.
Originally posted by Yahya al-Antaki
@ In the year 331.*1 Roman army appeared in Diyar Bakr*2 and took into captivity many of its citizens. They captured Arzin and plundered surrounding lands completely. They reached Nisibis*3 and demanded from the citizens of Edessa to ransom themselves by the icon of the wrap, with which our lord Christ used to wipe his face and on which an image of his face remained. They said also, that shall the wrap be passed to them, they will release their muslim prisoners and reminded that they have many of them.
@ (Citizens of Edessa) wrote to (caliph) Al-Muttaqi in Baghdad about it. Visier Abu al-Hasan bn Muqlah forwarded the messanger to Al-Muttaqi and asked for (his) permission (to comply with Roman demands). Caliph ordered to gather kadis*4 and faqihs*5, ask them for their opinion and do whatever they will see fit. Visier Abu al-Hasan bn Muqlah gathered them, 'Ali bn 'Isa and the most notable citizens of the kingdom and acquainted them with the matter presented by the messenger and asked them for their opinion. A great discussion followed. Some reminded (attendants), what the wrap is, that it was always kept in a church in Edessa and none of Roman kings ever demanded it. They claimed as well, that handing it over would be a shame for islam and that muslims deserve the wrap of Jesus, pboh*6, the most. But 'Ali bn 'Isa said: "Freeing muslims from slavery and getting them out of Dar al-Kufr*7, where they suffer poverty and persecution, is more necessary and more appropriate." Attendants agreed with him. He and other muslim kadis decided that the wrap should be handed over to Romans, if the sultan isn't able to defeat them and free the prisoners from their hands. A record of the session was drafted, signed by the attendants and sent to Al-Muttaqi, who ordered writing reply in this matter.
@ A price of 200 prisoners was settled between Romans and the citizens of Edessa. An eternal peace was signed under the condition by Edessians that Romans shall not pass their land*8 anymore.
@ Romans got the wrap and took it to Constantinople. They entered it with the wrap in thursday, the tenth of august. Sons of king Roman: Stefan, his brother patriarch Theofilaktos and Constantine, together with entire population of the city went to Golden Gate with candles in their hands to greet the wrap. It was led to the biggest church, Hagia Sofia, and from there to the royal palace. All this took place in the 24th year of reign of old king Roman together with Constantine, son of Leon.
@ The truce between Romans and citizens of Edessa lasted, until it was broken by Sayf ad-Dawlah 338 AH., for he forced Edessians to raid Al-Masisah with him. Many of them were killed, then.
@ In the year 331.*1 Roman army appeared in Diyar Bakr*2 and took into captivity many of its citizens. They captured Arzin and plundered surrounding lands completely. They reached Nisibis*3 and demanded from the citizens of Edessa to ransom themselves by the icon of the wrap, with which our lord Christ used to wipe his face and on which an image of his face remained. They said also, that shall the wrap be passed to them, they will release their muslim prisoners and reminded that they have many of them.
@ (Citizens of Edessa) wrote to (caliph) Al-Muttaqi in Baghdad about it. Visier Abu al-Hasan bn Muqlah forwarded the messanger to Al-Muttaqi and asked for (his) permission (to comply with Roman demands). Caliph ordered to gather kadis*4 and faqihs*5, ask them for their opinion and do whatever they will see fit. Visier Abu al-Hasan bn Muqlah gathered them, 'Ali bn 'Isa and the most notable citizens of the kingdom and acquainted them with the matter presented by the messenger and asked them for their opinion. A great discussion followed. Some reminded (attendants), what the wrap is, that it was always kept in a church in Edessa and none of Roman kings ever demanded it. They claimed as well, that handing it over would be a shame for islam and that muslims deserve the wrap of Jesus, pboh*6, the most. But 'Ali bn 'Isa said: "Freeing muslims from slavery and getting them out of Dar al-Kufr*7, where they suffer poverty and persecution, is more necessary and more appropriate." Attendants agreed with him. He and other muslim kadis decided that the wrap should be handed over to Romans, if the sultan isn't able to defeat them and free the prisoners from their hands. A record of the session was drafted, signed by the attendants and sent to Al-Muttaqi, who ordered writing reply in this matter.
@ A price of 200 prisoners was settled between Romans and the citizens of Edessa. An eternal peace was signed under the condition by Edessians that Romans shall not pass their land*8 anymore.
@ Romans got the wrap and took it to Constantinople. They entered it with the wrap in thursday, the tenth of august. Sons of king Roman: Stefan, his brother patriarch Theofilaktos and Constantine, together with entire population of the city went to Golden Gate with candles in their hands to greet the wrap. It was led to the biggest church, Hagia Sofia, and from there to the royal palace. All this took place in the 24th year of reign of old king Roman together with Constantine, son of Leon.
@ The truce between Romans and citizens of Edessa lasted, until it was broken by Sayf ad-Dawlah 338 AH., for he forced Edessians to raid Al-Masisah with him. Many of them were killed, then.
*2 - Diyar Bakr, which mean houses (land) of Bakr. It's a region around upper Tigris, today in turkish Kurdistan, with Amida/Amed/Diyarbakir as its capital. It was the craddle of Hamdanids.
*3 - Nisibis, today Nusaybin in turkish Kurdistan, though Assyrians probably think of it as part of Assyria. It was once the most important Roman fort on Persian boarder, until emperor Iovian was forced to hand it over to Sassanians after the unsuccessful Julian the Apostate's expedition. After the nestorians left Roman Empire, the theological school of Edessa settled in Nisibis. It was reknown as "The School of Persians". Also, the first and coolest of syrian monks described by Theodoret, st Jacob of Nisibis, used to live there.
*4 - muslim shari'ah judges
*5 - muslim shari'ah jurists
*6 - peace be upon Him
*7 - Dar al-Kufr; according to muslim political, religious and legal ideology of that times, world is divided into Dar al-islam -house=land of islam- where muslims rule and muslim law is implemented, and Dar al-Kufr, the land (house) of paganism, where it is not so, and therefore, which should be conquered. Some countries, like nubian kingdom of Makurra, had an uncertain status, though
*8 - or "city"
@ The wrap the chronicle mentions is no other than fameous Mandillion (mandil means "a wrap" in semitic languages, including arabic). The existance of the wrap is attested in the legend of St Abgar, which I have once, with great pains, read during my syriac lessons. The story claims that Abgar, the king of small Osroene kingdom with capital in Orhai (Edessa), got to know about Jesus and called him to visit him. Jesus could not do it, but sent him the image of himself on a wrap.
@ Another story, the one believed by catholics, states that when Christ was led to crucifixion, a lady named Berenice (Verenice) pitied him and wiped his face, or did that to gain something in token of his remembrance. Anyway, his face stayed on the wrap. Her name, once popular (especially among Ptolemies), was changed and remembered as Veronica, because it is close to what means in latin "The true image".
@ Anyway, the wrap was kept in Constantinople as one of its most sacred reliques until the IV crusade, when it was either destroyed, or robbed, as most of byzantine reliques. I don't remember when exactly, for it is not byzantine or arabic history, but after this event, in XIII or XIV century, the so-called shroud of Turin appeared in western Europe.
To get You in some mood, I attach some pics from the cities the chronicle mentions in this part. These are the same as in Syria thread, but perhaps not all have seen them. They have (except for the castle) little to do with it, though. They are just for making this thread nicer.
First pic - Edessa. The place of Abraham's birth and part of the castle
Attached Files
. It's not really that hard as it may seem to people who haven't learned it. The chronicle is almost a thousand years old and the use of words is sometimes different than today, even in the classical language. Also, I have no idea how to vocalise foreign, mostly turkish or iranian/kurdish, names.
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