History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 1 (of 3) — Text and Context

A Moralizing Lens on the Ommeyades

Scott's treatment of the Ommeyade dynasty in Syria is notably censorious. He describes the Syrian princes as "profligates and infidels" who inherited the "seductive dissipations of the Roman Empire." The court of Damascus, he writes, rivaled "the worst period of imperial degradation," with drunken khalifs requiring slave attendance even in the audience chamber. He details the lavish spending on singing and dancing boys, female performers imported from Mecca, and the universal use of wine despite Koranic prohibition. This moral condemnation is paired with a vivid description of Damascus's opulence: palaces encrusted with porphyry and lapis lazuli, gardens with mosaic walks and perfumed air, and bazaars offering goods from Hindustan to Britain. The contrast between cultural splendor and personal depravity is a recurring pattern in Scott's narrative.

The Prophet's Adversaries Become Rulers

Scott traces the Ommeyades' rise to power from their early opposition to Mohammed. He recounts that Abu-Sofian, a principal sheik of the family, commanded armies against the Prophet at the battle of Ohod, where Mohammed was wounded, and at the siege of Medina. Abu-Sofian's wife Hind is described as a "termagant" who "had torn out and partly devoured the liver of Hamza, Mohammed's uncle" and worn a necklace of ears from fallen Moslems. After Mecca's surrender, Scott notes, the Ommeyades only pretended to conform to Islam "under the threat of instant death." This background frames Scott's portrayal of the dynasty as fundamentally hostile to the faith they later led, a tension that underscores his skepticism about their legitimacy.

A Panoramic Method and Its Sources

Scott's preface outlines his historiographical approach. He aims to depict not just events but the "condition of the masses" and the "policy of the prince." His principal dependence is on the works of R. Dozy, praised for "learning, accuracy, impartiality, and critical acumen." He also cites Arabic and Spanish chronicles, along with Al-Makkari, Romey, and Sédillot. The list of authorities, he notes, does not include all examined works. This methodological statement reveals Scott's ambition to synthesize a wide range of sources while explicitly rejecting earlier historians he deems unreliable. The reader should note that Scott's own moral judgments frequently color his presentation, particularly when describing court life.

Readers approaching this volume should be aware that Scott's narrative is shaped by a dual purpose: to celebrate the intellectual and artistic achievements of Moorish civilization while condemning what he sees as the moral corruption of its rulers. His reliance on Dozy and his critique of Irving and Prescott indicate a desire for scholarly rigor, but his own vivid, often censorious prose invites scrutiny. The excerpts suggest a work that is as much a moral commentary as a historical account.

I keep thinking about how Scott’s first volume framed Moorish brilliance against its own quiet fractures — that ache between what’s built and what’s betrayed. The third book feels like sitting with that same ache longer, watching it echo through later chapters. It stayed with me the way certain sunsets do, unfinished somehow. History of the Moorish Empire in Europe, Vol. 3 (of 3) — Key Ideas to Explore handed me the rest of that feeling.