Constructing a World History Narrative in the Abbasid Period (Book)

Constructing a World History Narrative in the Abbasid Period is an academic work authored by Zeynep Kaya Ünal and published by Dergâh Yayınları in March 2024. This study thoroughly examines the evolution of historiography during the Abbasid era, with a particular focus on the methodology of the historian Masʿūdī. Ünal analyzes Masʿūdī’s works, Murūj al-Dhahab wa al-Tanbīh, to reveal his conception of history and his place within the tradition of world history narratives.

The book explores the development of the Iraqi school of historiography that emerged following the transfer of the Abbasid caliphate from Damascus to Baghdad. During this period, the rise of prominent historians such as Madāʾinī, Ibn Qutaybah, Balādhurī, and Yaʿqūbī played a crucial role in the evolution of historical writing. Additionally, this era is characterized by the increased inclusion of information about the mawālī in historical texts due to the influence of the Shuʿūbiyya movement, as well as the gradual incorporation of Hellenistic cultural elements into historical narratives.

Masʿūdī, who was born in Baghdad toward the end of this period, integrated a wide range of scholarly disciplines—including geography, literature, theology, astronomy, and astrology—under the umbrella of akhbār in his writings, thereby expanding the scope of historical discourse. His approach broadened the framework of historical narrative and established a chronological understanding of world history.

• The Evolution of Historiography: The book examines how historical writing evolved during the Abbasid period and how new methodologies emerged.
• Masʿūdī’s Methodology: Masʿūdī’s approach to historical writing, his sources, and his methodological framework are analyzed in detail.
• The Akhbār Tradition: The role of the akhbār tradition in historical writing and how Masʿūdī adopted and adapted this tradition are discussed.
• World History Narrative: The book investigates how Masʿūdī presented world history in his works and how he synthesized information from diverse geographical regions into a unified narrative.

Zeynep Kaya Ünal employs an academic language and methodological rigor to conduct a deep analysis of Masʿūdī’s historiography. This work serves as an essential resource for scholars and history enthusiasts seeking to understand the evolution of historical writing and Masʿūdī’s contributions to the field.