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Relations between the Fatimid and Byzantine empires during the reign of the caliph al-Mustans ir bi’llah, 1036-1094/427-487

Relations between the Fatimid and Byzantine empires during the reign of the caliph al-Mustans ir bi’llah, 1036-1094/427-487

By K.E.F. Thomson

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Volume 32, Number 1, (2008)

Abstract: Throughout the history of the Fatimid empire (909-1176/296-566), Byzantine sources support the idea that contact was kept to a minimum for trade. However, Arab historians reveal that in fact al-Mustansir engaged in correspondence, gift exchanges and embassies with several emperors. Descriptions of these mutual relations in the reign of al-Mustansir are a political mirror to the international effects of events such as the arrival of the Seljuk Turks, uprisings and civil war, and are also a fascinating insight into the diplomacy of Muslims and Christians banding together at a time of significant crisis for both.

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