Une attaque de Damas par les Qarmates au Xe siècle d'après la lettre d'un marchand

A previously unpublished merchant's letter from early 10th-century Damascus provides a vivid account of the city's resilience during a Qarmate attack. The text, offering a rare glimpse into the Syrian capital and its surrounding oasis, reveals how Damascus, despite limited military capacity, relied on its ancient fortifications and the vigor of urban militias to withstand the assault. This letter paints a broad picture of the Ghouta oasis at a pivotal moment in history, highlighting the interplay between commerce, urban defense, and political fragility under the Abbasid regime.

Sourdel, D., Sourdel-Thomine, J., & Mouton, J.-M. (2010). Une attaque de Damas par les Qarmates au Xe siècle d’après la lettre d’un marchand. Archiv Für Papyrusforschung Und Verwandte Gebiete, 56(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/apf.2010.64