The Politics of Sūqs in Early Islam
Fanny Bessard
Abstract In the early Middle Ages, while Byzantium was impoverished and Anatolian cities were evolving into fortified kastra , Islamic Near East enjoyed an age of economic demographic growth. Exploring formation sūq s rise Umayyad ‘Abbāsid states, this article argues that Arab-Islamic aristocracy’s involvement in establishing reflected a desire to exert power build legitimacy. Despite their physical resemblance Late Roman Sasanian bazaars, functioned differently, specificity exemplifies evolution labour patterns from 700 950, particular social increasing religious merchants. This places archaeological evidence dialogue with literary. Although material is central, comparisons paths trade life between Western Europe provide ways identify divergences West after fall Rome.
Journal of The Economic and Social History of The Orient|Bristol Research (University of Bristol)