Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

The Fatimids and the Red Sea

Publication Type  Article
Year of Publication  2012
Date Published  2012
Authors  Bramoullé, David
Original Publication  Proceedings of Red Sea Project V held at the University of Exeter, 16–19 September 2010
Publisher  British Foundation for the Study of Arabia Monographs No. 12 Series editors: D. Kennet & St J. Simpson
Source  

British Foundation for the Study of Arabia Monographs No. 12, Series editors: D. Kennet & St J. Simpson

Proceedings of Red Sea Project V held at the University of Exeter, 16–19 September 2010

BAR International Series 2346, 2012

Full Text  

From 969 to 1073, the Red Sea does not seem to have been of much interest to the Fatimids. During this period, the
Fatimid imams were engaged in an ideological struggle with the Abbasids, and the main territory for this battle
was the Hijaz and its holy Muslim cities. The period after 1073, and especially the 12th century, can be considered
as a time of pragmatism. The ideology that seems to have dictated Fatimid actions since the very beginning of the
dynasty disappeared under the extensive reforms of Badr al-Jamālī. Keeping the Red Sea open for trade became the
new goal of Fatimid interventions in the area.


The Fatimids and the Red Sea

From 969 to 1073, the Red Sea does not seem to have been of much interest to the Fatimids. During this period, the
Fatimid imams were engaged in an ideological struggle with the Abbasids, and the main territory for this battle
was the Hijaz and its holy Muslim cities. The period after 1073, and especially the 12th century, can be considered
as a time of pragmatism. The ideology that seems to have dictated Fatimid actions since the very beginning of the
dynasty disappeared under the extensive reforms of Badr al-Jamālī. Keeping the Red Sea open for trade became the
new goal of Fatimid interventions in the area.

AttachmentSize
Fatimids_and_the_Red_Sea.pdf621.06 KB

Back to top