Ibn Fadlan's journey to Russia
Subtitle: a tenth-century traveler from Baghad to the Volga River
By: translated with commentary by Richard N. Frye.
Contributors: Frye, Richard Nelson, 1920-
Publisher: a tenth-century traveler from Baghad to the Volga River/ Markus Wiener Publishers; Markus Wiener Publishers
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Princeton
Language: eng
Number of pages: 160
Subjects: Ibn Faḍlān, Aḥmad, fl. 922 -- Travel -- Asia, Central; Bulgars (Turkic people) -- Russia (Federation) -- Volga River Region -- History; Tatarstan (Russia) -- Description and travel; Asia, Central -- Description and travel; Volga River Region (Russia) -- History
Description: "This is the first English translation of the famous risala, letters by the tenth-century traveler Ibn Fadlan, one of the great Medieval travelers in world history, akin to Ibn Battuta. Ibn Fadlan was an Arab missionary sent by the Caliph in Baghdad [in 921 C.E.] to the king of the Bulghars. He journeyed from Baghdad to Bukhara in Central Asia and then continued across the desert to the town of Bulghar, near present Kazan. He describes the tribes he meets on his way and gives an account of their customs. His is the earliest account of a meeting with the Vikings, called Rus, who had reached the Volga River from Sweden. His description of the Rus, or Rusiya as he calls them, has produced much discussion about their origins, shockingly free sexual moral standards, customs, treatment of slaves and women, burial traditions, and trading habits, all explained in detail by Ibn Fadlan"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
Table of contents: title: The time and the man; title: His book and geography; title: Translation of his travels : The Rus ; The Khazars; title: Commentary on the translation : The itinerary through the realm of the Caliphate ; Remarks on Khwarazm ; The Turkic tribes ; Further itinerary of the trip ; The Bulghars or Saqaliba ; The Rus ; The Khazars ; Aftermath of the embassy.