The anthologist's art : Abū Manṣūr al-Tha'ālibī and his Yatīmat al-dahr

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The anthologist's art : Abū Manṣūr al-Tha'ālibī and his Yatīmat al-dahr

by Bilal Orfali

（Brill studies in Middle Eastern literatures, v. 37）

Brill, c2016

  • : hbk

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [238]-256) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Why did premodern authors in the Arabic-Islamic culture compile literary anthologies, and why were these works remarkably popular? How can an anthology that consists of reproduced material be original and creative, and serve various literary and political ends? How did anthologists select their material, then record and arrange it? This book examines the life and works of Abu Mansur al-Tha'alibi (350-429/961-1039), an eminent anthologist from Nishapur, paying special attention to his magnum opus, Yatimat al-dahr (The Unique Pearl), and its sequel, Tatimmat al-Yatima (The Completion of the Yatima). This book is a direct window on to an anthologist's workshop in the second half of the fourth/tenth century. It examines the methodological consciousness expressed in Tha'alibi's selection and arrangement, and his sophisticated system of internal references and cross-references to other works; how he selected from his contemporaries' oeuvres; how he sought, recorded, memorized, misplaced, and sometimes lost or forgot his selections; how he scrutinized the authenticity of material, accepting, questioning, or rejecting its attribution; and the errors and inconsistencies that resulted from this process.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations List of Illustrations Note on Editions and Manuscripts of the Yatima and Tatimma 1. The Art of Anthology in Premodern Arabic Literature Anthology and Adab Approaches to the Study of Arabic Literary Anthology in Modern Scholarship Motives for Anthologizing A Map of Arabic Poetry Anthologies 2. Life and Legacy of Tha'alibi Abu Mansur al-Tha'alibi Legacy of Tha'alibi Bibliography of Tha'alibi Printed Authentic Works Printed, Authenticity Doubtful Printed, Authenticity Rejected In Manuscript, Authentic works In Manuscript, Authenticity Uncertain In Manuscript, Authenticity Rejected Works Surviving in Quotations Lost Works 3. An Anthologist at Work: The Organization and Structure of the Yatima and Tatimma Organization Prominent Litterateurs Courts, Dynasties and Other Patrons Cities and Sub-Regions Critical Awareness in the Organization of the Yatima and Tatimma Selection of Material The Arrangement of Entries in a Chapter: Proximity and Resemblance References and Cross-References Cross-References References in the Tatimma to the Yatima References to the Earlier Version of the Yatima References to Other Works by Tha'alibi Later Additions to the Yatima Authenticity and Misattribution Forgotten, Lost, and Inconsistent Material 4. The Sources of Tha'alibi in Yatimat al-Dahr and Tatimmat al-Yatima Written Sources Diwans Books Other Written Media Oral/Aural Sources Main Guarantors in the Yatima Main Guarantors in the Tatimma Conclusion 5. Material within the Entry Categorization and Arrangement of Material within Entries The Biographical Summary Dates Deaths of Poets Religious Views Training and Education Professions Families of Litterateurs Characterization of Litterateurs and Their Literary Oeuvres Geographical Context Social Context Historical Context Comparing Litterateurs Knowledge of Persian Relations between Contemporaries Physical and Character Features Patronage Patron-Litterateur Relations Admission to a Court Meeting a Patron Leaving a Court Prison Incidents and Stories Description of Courtly Majalis Evaluating Literary Production Conclusion Appendix 1: Outline of the Yatima and Tatimma Appendix 2: Sources of Yatimat al-Dahr Appendix 3: Sources of Tatimmat al-Yatima Appendix 4: Comparisons between Poets Bibliography Index

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