Amir Mazor | University of Hamburg (original) (raw)

Books by Amir Mazor

This book focuses on the Manṣūriyya regiment, the mamluks of sultan al-Manṣūr Qalāwūn. It traces ... more This book focuses on the Manṣūriyya regiment, the mamluks of sultan al-Manṣūr Qalāwūn. It traces the lives of these mamluks during the career of their master Qalāwūn (ca. 1260–1290), the period they ruled the Sultanate of Egypt and Syria de jure or de facto (1290–1310), and their aftermath, during the third reign of sultan al-Nāṣir Muḥammad b. Qalāwūn (1310–1341). Based on dozens of contemporary Arabic sources, the book traces the political and military events of the turbulent Manṣūriyya period, as well as the basic military-political principles and socio-political practices that evolved during this period. It suggests that the Manṣūriyya period marks the beginning of the demilitarization, or politicization, of the Mamluk sultanate.

Papers by Amir Mazor

Mamluk Studies Review XXVI (2023) Contemporary historians of the Mamluk period frequently depict ... more Mamluk Studies Review XXVI (2023)
Contemporary historians of the Mamluk period frequently depict the Mamluk military elite, usually termed by them “Turks” (atrāk), as uncouth and barbaric. Their attitude tends to diminish genuine intellectual interests of “the Turks” compared to the erudition of the civilized local ulama. Against this background, the present article examines the historiographical attitude of some of the most erudite scholars among the sons or descendants of Mamluk amirs—Khalīl ibn Aybak al-Ṣafadī (d. 764/1363), Ibn Taghrībirdī (d. 874/1470), and ʿAbd al-Bāsiṭ al-Malaṭī (d. 920/1514)—toward “the Turks.” The examination reveals that these awlād al-nās historians clearly adopted the patterns of local Arab historians.
https://knowledge.uchicago.edu/record/10627

Journal of Arabic Literature 54.1-2 (2023), pp. 129-157, 2023

This article considers biographical material on Jewish converts authored by Muslim historians, pr... more This article considers biographical material on Jewish converts authored by Muslim historians, primarily in Mamluk Egypt and Syria from the 13th to 15th centuries, enumerating and analyzing its recurring themes. Among its key findings is that the motifs found in this material are consonant with Islamic theological perceptions of other faith-based groups, especially the Jews. These themes also reflect their writers’ notion of exemplary history. Beyond this, I suggest that the main objective behind the texts under review is the affirmation of basic principles espoused in the Qurʾān, ḥadīth, and the sīrah for the purpose of demonstrating the veracity and superiority of the Muslim faith.

https://brill.com/view/journals/jal/54/1-2/article-p129_5.xml

Cross-Cultural Studies of Religion and Theology, 1 (2022), Salzburg University, pp. 2-9. . Th... more Cross-Cultural Studies of Religion and Theology, 1 (2022), Salzburg University, pp. 2-9.
.

The article briefly discusses the main religious aspects of cultural exchanges between Judaism and Islam in the Middle Ages, namely, in commandments, law, scriptural contents, polemics, theology, philosophy, and mysticism. The article suggests that while during the early period of Islam, the Jewish influences on the formation of Islam were profound, from around the 3rd century of Islam and throughout the entire medieval period, it was mainly the magnificent Islamic civilization from which Jewish culture enthusiastically absorbed concepts, methods, and practices.

Keywords: Jewish-Muslim relations; Qur’an, Bible, polemics, Islamic theology,
Sufism.

https://eplus.uni-salzburg.at/csrt/periodical/pageview/8069545

Revue des études juives 181.1-2 (2022), pp. 87-110., 2022

In collaboration with Efraim Lev. This article reconstructs a biography of al-Shaykh al-Muwaff... more In collaboration with Efraim Lev.

This article reconstructs a biography of al-Shaykh al-Muwaffaq Ibn Jumay' (fl. 1170-1200), one of the most illustrious Jewish physicians of the medieval Islamic world, using both Muslim historiographical and Jewish Geniza sources. The article demonstrates that data mentioned by Muslim authors and details mentioned in the Geniza documents, reciprocally strengthen, confirm and add information about Ibn Jumay'’s life, thus creating a colorful biographical mosaic of the famous Jewish physician’s life.

En utilisant à la fois des sources musulmanes historiographiques et des sources juives issues de la Geniza, cet article reconstruit la biographie d’al-Shaykh al-Muwaffaq Ibn Jumay' (fl. 1170-1200), l’un des médecins juifs les plus illustres du monde islamique médiéval. L’article montre que les données mentionnées par différents auteurs musulmans et les détails qu’apportent les documents de la Geniza se complètent, se confirment mutuellement et permettent de compiler des informations précieuses sur la vie d’Ibn Jumay' et de recomposer ainsi une riche mosaïque biographique du célèbre médecin juif.

Zutot 19 (2022), 93-102

The article focuses on a Muslim commentary on a section from Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed,... more The article focuses on a Muslim commentary on a section from Maimonides’ Guide for the Perplexed, written by a 13th-century Persian scholar. Whereas the first part of the article briefly discusses the reception of Maimonides’ Guide in medieval Islam, the nature of the commentary, and the identity of its composer, the second and main part discusses a mid-20th-century Egyptian critical edition of the commentary. This part focuses on the Muslim editor’s preface to the commentary, in which he depicts Maimonides and his Guide in a positive light, against the negative portrayal of Jews and Judaism. The contemporary political context is suggested as a motive for this apologetic and polemical depiction.

https://brill.com/view/journals/zuto/aop/article-10.1163-18750214-bja10002/article-10.1163-18750214-bja10002.xml

The Jews in Medieval Egypt. Miriam Frenkel (ed.). Boston: Academic Studies Press, 2021, pp. 244-268 (ch. 11)., 2021

The article discusses several aspects of Jewish life under the Mamluks, mainly economic, social, ... more The article discusses several aspects of Jewish life under the Mamluks, mainly economic, social, political and demographic trends. The article shows that although the social, cultural, and intellectual integration of Jews in Mamluk society was limited compared to previous periods, they still were far from being isolated, especially in comparison with the status of the Jews in Latin Europe at the same time. The chapter describes the system of Jewish self-government embodied at this time in the office of the Nagidate, and also discusses at length the state’s policy towards the Jews, which was characterized by a stricter enforcement of the Pact of ʿUmar.
See the full text in:
https://www.academicstudiespress.com/landsandages/the-jews-in-medieval-egypt

Pe’amim 162 (2020), pp. 81-90 , 2020

The article discusses biographical details about Maimonides as mentioned in the Qur’an commentary... more The article discusses biographical details about Maimonides as mentioned in the Qur’an commentary of Abū Ḥayyān al-Gharnāṭī (1256-1344), a hitherto unknown source for Maimonides’ life.The article focuses on the representation of Maimonides by Abū Ḥayyān in the context of details mentioned about Maimonides by other medieval Muslim authors.

European Journal of Jewish Studies, 2020

In collaboration with Efraim Lev. This article discusses the phenomenon of dynasties of Jewish p... more In collaboration with Efraim Lev.
This article discusses the phenomenon of dynasties of Jewish physicians in the Late Middle Ages in Egypt and Syria. Based on Muslim Arabic historiographical literature on the one hand, and Jewish sources such as Genizah documents on the other, this paper reconstructs fourteen dynasties of Jewish physicians that were active in the Mamluk Sultanate (1250–1517). Examination of the families reveals that the most distinguished dynasties of court physicians were of Jewish origin, and had to convert to Islam during the Mamluk period. Moreover, the office of the “Head of the Physicians” was occupied mainly by members of these convert Jewish dynasties. This situation stands in stark contrast to the pre-Mamluk period, in which dynasties of unconverted Jewish court physicians flourished. However, Jewish sources reveal that dynasties of doctors who were also communal leaders continued to be active also during the Mamluk period.

An End to Antisemitism! Vol. 2: Confronting Antisemitism in Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Lang... more An End to Antisemitism! Vol. 2: Confronting Antisemitism in Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Lange, Armin; Mayerhofer, Kerstin; Porat, Dina; Schiffman, Lawrence H. (eds.). Berlin: De Gruyter, 2020, pp. 109-120.
Open access: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110671773-008

Along the Silk Roads in Mongol Eurasia: Generals, Merchants, and Intellectuals, eds. Michal Biran, Jonathan Brack, Francesca Fiaschetti (University of California Press, 2020), pp. 102-119., 2020

By tracing Qipchaq’s eventful career, the article explores the roles ethnicity, religious affilia... more By tracing Qipchaq’s eventful career, the article explores the roles ethnicity, religious affiliation, and social-cultural solidarity, played across the Mongol-Mamluk frontier, especially in creating divided loyalties among Mongol commanders and defectors, on both sides of the border.

Chilufim – Zeitschrift für Jüdische Kulturgeschichte 26 (2019), pp. 29-44., 2019

It is well accepted among scholars that the Mamluk period in Egypt and Greater Syria (al-Sham) is... more It is well accepted among scholars that the Mamluk period in Egypt and Greater Syria (al-Sham) is characterized by a serious deterioration in the position of Jews and Christians. The article demonstrates that the situation of the Jews was more complex, by contextualizing it in the social, cultural and judicial environment of the Mamluk Sultanate. In addition, the paper argues that the scholars’ view of the nadir in the situation of the Jews derives – to a large extent – from the problematic nature of the contemporary Muslim historiographical sources in respect to dhimmis. In order to achieve a more balanced perspective of the situation of the Jews, one should apply to other historical sources, that were less obliged to Islamic paradigms – or not at all.

Journal of Jewish Studies, 2019

The article presents and analyses the different Muslim accounts regarding Maimonides’ conversion ... more The article presents and analyses the different Muslim accounts regarding Maimonides’ conversion to Islam and his apostasy, and indicates the similarities between the Muslim accounts and Jewish folk tales about Maimonides. It points out that the same motifs regarding Maimonides that appear in both Muslim and Jewish accounts are interpreted differently by Muslims and Jews. While in the Muslim accounts Maimonides, as a Jew, is depicted as ungrateful, malicious and treacherous, in the Jewish legends Maimonides is presented as a wily, clever and superior Jew, who mocks the Muslims. The article suggests that the motives for Maimonides’ negative depiction derived from Muslim authors’ commitment to the Islamic discourse regarding Jews, while the praise of Maimonides in the Jewish tales came in reaction to the Muslim reports, aiming to conceal his conversion.

Hebrew Union College Annual, 2018

In collaboration with Efraim Lev. This article discusses dynasties of Jewish practitioners — phy... more In collaboration with Efraim Lev.
This article discusses dynasties of Jewish practitioners — physicians, for the most part, as well as pharmacists — in the High Middle Ages in Egypt and Syria. Based on reliable Jewish sources, primarily Genizah documents and Muslim Arabic historiographical literature, twenty-four dynasties of Jewish physicians in Egypt and Syria during the Fatimid and Ayyubid periods (969–1250/60 C.E) are surveyed, with a particular focus on five of them in terms of their social and political status within Jewish society and vis-à-vis the Muslim authorities and social elite.

Mamluk Historiography - Revisited Narratological Perspectives. Stephan Conermann (ed.) Bonn: V&R UniPress, 2018. pp. 103-120.

The paper tries to answer the question why is the topos of predicting the future so prominent in ... more The paper tries to answer the question why is the topos of predicting the future so prominent in Mamluk historiography. The article analyses fifty anecdotes culled from early Mamluk historiographical works. It shows that the aim of the topoi was to legitimate the rule of the first Mamluk sultans. The article further claims that in order to comprehend the topoi of predicting the future in early Mamluk historiography more fully, one must take into consideration the profound historiographical, social, religious and political developments that matured in exactly that period.

in Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Eastern Mediterranean (c. 1000–1500 CE). R. Amitai, C. Cluse (eds.). Turnhout: Brepols, , 2017

The paper describes – according the little information that is found in the Arabic sources – the ... more The paper describes – according the little information that is found in the Arabic sources – the early stages in the young mamluk’s life, from his arrival in the lands of the Mamluk Sultanate until he became an amīr (officer).

Mamluk Studies Review 18, (2014-15), pp. 1-56.

During the first three years of al-Nāṣir Muḥammad’s third reign, dozens of Manṣūrī amirs—and othe... more During the first three years of al-Nāṣir Muḥammad’s third reign, dozens of Manṣūrī amirs—and others who were related to them—were imprisoned or executed by the young sultan. These moves might convey the impression that the Manṣūrīyah was eliminated by al-Nāṣir Muḥammad. However, a closer look at the careers of the Manṣūrī amirs reveals that many of them, including al-Nāṣir Muḥammad’s former enemies, continued to play an important role in the political- military life of the sultanate during al-Nāṣir Muḥammad’s third reign. This conclusion is strengthened by the observations of Mamluk historians. Moreover, many of the mamluks and descendants of these Manṣūrī amirs gained very high positions as amirs in the sultanate during al-Nāṣir Muḥammad’s third reign and after.

Medieval Encounters , 2014

It is usually accepted among modern scholars that the Mamluk period marked a drastic decline in t... more It is usually accepted among modern scholars that the Mamluk period marked a drastic decline in the position of non-Muslims. Jews and Christians were exposed to increasing
persecutions and, inter alia, could not serve as great physicians unless they converted to
Islam. Against these assumptions, the article discusses new data regarding three Jewish
court physicians from the first half of the 8th/14th century. Despite being under a strong
pressure to convert, these doctors gained honorable positions and a high social status in
the Mamluk sultanate. As erudite physicians and skillful practitioners, they were
integrated with the highest circles of the political, military and especially intellectual
Muslim elite of their time.

Early Science and Medicine, 2013

Obscurity surrounds not only the date and name of the inventor of eyeglasses, but also the date a... more Obscurity surrounds not only the date and name of the inventor of eyeglasses, but also the date and place where eyeglasses (or information pertaining to them) reached the Muslim world. It is assumed that eyeglasses were transmitted to the Muslim world through commerce with Italian traders, which is probable, while other options also present themselves. This paper shows, at any rate, that the date traditionally given for the first acquaintance of the Muslim world with eyeglasses is wrong. In this article, we present evidence that eyeglasses were available in Syria since the fourteenth century and discuss the implications of this discovery.