Editing Kitab al-I'tibar (section)

== Islamic society in the 12th century ==

Much of the autobiography addresses the material culture of the time. It describes wealthier society members, including their houses, clothes and valued possessions. There is much detail on military society as Usama was involved in many battles against Christians and fellow Muslims, including attitudes towards the Christian [[crusade]]rs. It provides an idea of the internal political structure as Usama served under the [[Fatimid]] court in [[Egypt]] and under [[Nur ad-Din Zangi|Nur al-Din]]. Usama provides information on medical practices, religion and hunting.

=== Material culture ===

When Usama moves to Egypt in 1144 the [[caliph]] provided him with a place to reside, which he describes:<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 30</ref>

{{Block quote|text=(the caliph) had me invested with a robe of honour in his presence, bestowed on me a full wardrobe together with one hundred dinars, authorized me to use his baths and assigned for my residence one of the mansions of al-Afdal, son of the Amir-al-Juyush, which was extremely magnificent, fully equipped with carpets, furniture and a complete outfit of brass utensils.|sign=|source=}}

The autobiography gives evidence of textiles and clothing: ''He [<nowiki/>[[Al-Malik al-'Adil]]] put at my disposal six thousand Egyptian dinars, a camel load of Dabiqi clothes, of ciclatoum, of squirrel-furred gowns, of Dimyati brocade, and of turbans.''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 35</ref>

Dabiqi cloth was linen, sometimes interwoven with gold and silk, ciclatoun was another precious cloth. Dimyati brocade was a white linen or silk with added gold threads. Usama describes the things that were plundered from his home when he had to flee from it: ''From the hall of my home they carried away forty huge camel bags all sewn up and containing great quantities of silver, gold and clothing, and from my stable they marched away thirty-six horses and female saddle mules''

Usama describes another time when his possessions were stolen when his family are returning from Egypt. On their journey, the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem|King of Jerusalem]] took all their valuable possessions: ''...jewellery, which had been entrusted to the women, clothes, gems, swords, weapons and gold and silver amounting to about thirty thousand dinars.''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 61</ref>

The most significant loss for Usama were his 4,000 books. Books would be a very valuable item in the era before printing as they must be transcribed by hand (by a [[scribe]]) and only the wealthy would be able to afford them. Usama can cope with the loss of his other possessions but could never forget the loss of his books: "Their loss has left a heartsore that will stay with me to the last day of my life".<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 61</ref>

In the militarized society of the time, [[Looting#In armed conflict|war spoils]] were highly valued. They demonstrated prestige as only the rich elite could afford them. For example, Usama describes a quilted gold saddle he owned. He suggests that only someone of his status could afford such an item: ''Read what is on it. Is it' Abbas ' name and his son's, or is it my name? And who else in the days of al-Hafiz could ride in Egypt on a gold saddle but I?''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 55</ref>

=== Political structure of Islamic society ===

After getting into trouble with his uncle who ruled [[Shayzar]], Usama was exiled, traveling to [[Damascus]], [[Jerusalem]], [[Cairo]], [[Mosul]] and [[Mecca]]. Usama was in the army of the [[Atabeg]] [[Imad ad-Din Zengi|Zengi]], went to the Fatimid court in Egypt and was in the army of Nur al-Din. The political structure of the area changed considerably during Usama's lifetime. The Islamic world was very fragmented and divided at the time, between the [[Abbasid]] [[caliphate]] of [[Baghdad]] and the [[Fatimid]] caliphate based on [[Cairo]]. By the late 11th century neither caliph held any real power and autonomous rulers were establishing themselves. In reality, the three great powers at the end of the 11th century were the Great [[Seljuk Turks|Seljuk]] Sultanate, the Seljuk [[Sultanate of Rum]] and the Fatimid Caliphate which was ruled by a military [[vizier|wazirate]]. By the end of his life, however, Syria and Egypt were united under [[Saladin]] and had re-conquered most of the [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]] from the crusaders.

The Fatimite court was full of conspiracies and feuds. Usama shows how the power of the caliph was limited by the military rulers and how the instability of the government caused feuds and assassinations For example, in 1150 the Fatimite caliph tried to kill his [[vizier]]:

''[[Al-Zafir]] [the caliph] now planned to put [[al-Adil ibn al-Sallar|al-Adil]] (his vizier) to death. He concerted with a group of young men from his special bodyguard, together with others whom he won over to the scheme by distributing money among them, that they attack al-Adil in his home and put him to death.''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 33</ref>

Another instance is when al-Adil is killed by Nasr ibn Abbas, and Ibn Abbas' father ([[Abbas ibn Abi al-Futuh]]) becomes the vizier.

''When al-Adil had gone to sleep, that prefect notified Ibn Abbas who, with six of his attendants, made an assault upon him in the house in which he was sleeping and killed him.''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 43</ref>

Also revealed is the corruption and bribery that went on. Usama gives the example of when the caliph tried to persuade Ibn Abbas to kill his father so that he would succeed to become vizier. The caliph bribes him to do this:

''He received twenty trays of silver holding twenty thousand dinars. After neglecting him for a few days, the caliph sent him an assortment of clothing of all kinds. ..''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 45</ref>

Ibn Abbas, however tells his father about the plot and they decide to kill the Caliph:

''Nasr invited the caliph to come to his residence. ..after having installed a band of followers on one side of the house. As soon as the caliph was seated, the band rushed upon him and killed him''<ref>Hitti, ''An Arab-Syrian Gentleman and Warrior in the Period of the Crusades'' p. 45</ref>