Ibn Al-ʿIbrī Al-Seryani as a Historian of the Crusades in his Book, Tarikh Alzaman (490-589 H./ 1097-1193 AD)

Abstract

Historical writing is considered an important part in historical studies. In fact, historical writing deals with how historical narratives are approached and exposes historians’ tendencies. The crusades and the conflicts between the Crusaders and Muslims are important historical periods that are still worth investigating further because of distortions and misrepresentations definging these periods. The study of Tarikh Alzaman and its methodology by Gregory Bar Hebraeus (known as Ibn Al-Malati or Ibn Al-ʿIbrī, 1226-1286 AD/ 623-685 H) is one of the most important studies. The problem of this study lies in attempting to understand the aspects of that period from the beginning of the Crusades to the end of Saladin Al-Ayyubi and to understand the way or method Ibn-Al-Ibri deals with that period along with his tendencies and his attitudes towards various conflicting parties back then. The significance of this study is to expose and uncover some mysterious aspects in that period included in his book by virtue of his experience, his work, or his unique sources coming from his own people, Syrians. His book is considered an important contribution for that period which other sources, whether Islamic or Latin ones, lack. His sources contribute to covering some missing historical aspects of that period. Key Words: The history of the time,Bar Heraeus,bin al-Malati,The historical writing, Assyrian People,Crusades