Analysis, criticism and assessment of the first chapter of "Târîhu'l-Antâkî"

This thesis study includes analysis, criticism and assessment of the first chapter of Târîhu'l-Antâkî written by Egyptian Christian physician Yahya Ibn Saîd al-Antâkî (980-1066) as an insertion to the work titled Nazm al-Djawhar written by Melkite patriarch of Alexandria Saîd b. Bıtrîk. The work we have which is examined by Omar Abdussalam Tadmuri consists of two chapters. The first chapter starts with Abbasid Caliphate Ar-Radi and ends with disappearance of Fatimid Caliphate Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. As known, X-XI centuries are periods of important political, religious and social developments and changes for the history of Middle Ages. While Byzantine Empire expanded its political influence in the Balkans and Syria with powerful emperors who come into power consecutively, Abbasid Caliphate who lost its former glory came under the control of Shia Buyid Dynasty and Fatimid State was established after the collapse of Aglabi Dynasty in 909 which was based in Tunisia, as a result of propaganda activities of Abu Abd Allah al-Shi'i who is a dai of Ismailis. Târîhu'l-Antâkî which includes records about Byzantine, Abbasids, Ikhshidid, Hamdanids, Buwayhids and in particular about Fatimids is a work which has importance and comes into prominence with the information it provides especially about churches and Christians living in Egypt, Jerusalem and Antioch. The aim of my thesis is to reveal importance of this work which is written in Arabic in the history of Middle Ages by comparing it to other sources and to contribute to the studies conducted in the field of history of Middle Ages by translating the first chapter of the work into Turkish. Keywords: Fatimid, Byzantine, Hamdanid, Buwayhid, Abbasid, Church.