Cairo has for centuries been the home of Oriental magnificence and despotism, and still, though fallen from its high estate, it ranks as one of the most typical and picturesque-as well as the wickedest - of Mohammedan cities, while its mingling of Oriental luxury and laissez faire with Occidental bustle and commercial activity, give it a curiously cosmopolitan character. Its manifold aspects of commerce, history, art, and social life are described from intimate acquaintance by Mr. Reynolds-Ball, who tells not only of the city itself, but of its environs and approaches, and who describes the wonderful vista of the Nile from Cairo to the second cataract.

Cairo has for centuries been the home of Oriental magnificence and despotism, and still, though fallen from its high estate, it ranks as one of the most typical and picturesque—as well as the wickedest — of Mohammedan cities, while its mingling of Oriental luxury and laissez faire with Occidental bustle and commercial activity, give it a curiously cosmopolitan character. Its manifold aspects of commerce, history, art, and social life are described from intimate acquaintance by Mr. Reynolds-Ball, who tells not only of the city itself, but of its environs and approaches, and who describes the wonderful vista of the Nile from Cairo to the second cataract.

Christophe Picard recounts the adventures of Muslim sailors who competed with Greek and Latin seamen for control of the 7th-century Mediterranean. By the time Christian powers took over trade routes in the 13th century, a Muslim identity that operated within, and in opposition to, Europe had been shaped by encounters across the sea of the caliphs.

Join historian Eustace Alfred Reynoldsball on an exploration of Baghdad during the peak of the Islamic Golden Age. Discover the city's magnificent architecture, cultural achievements, and political power during the 8th and 9th centuries. This fascinating account of the Caliphs and their role in shaping history is a must-read for history buffs and anyone interested in the Middle East. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.