[5]"Thus it is by no means correct to imply that the two or three centuries immediately following theMuhammadanconquest of Persia were a blank page in the intellectual life of its people. It is, on the contrary, a period of immense and unique interest, of fusion between the old and the new, of transformation of forms and transmigration of ideas, but in no wise of stagnation or death. Politically, it is true, Persia ceased for a while to enjoy a separate national existence, being merged in that greatMuhammadan Empirewhich stretched fromGibraltarto theJaxartes; but in the intellectual domain she soon began to assert the supremacy to which the ability and subtlety of her people entitled her. Even the forms of State organization were largely adapted from Persian models."—Al-Fakhri(ed.Ahlwardt, page 101), on the organization of theDiwansor Government offices."In the finance department not only was the Persian system adopted, but the Persian language and notation continued to be used till the time ofal-Hajjaj b. Yusuf(about A.D. 700)."—Edward G. Browne, "Literary History of Persia", Vol. I, page 204.
[5]"Thus it is by no means correct to imply that the two or three centuries immediately following theMuhammadanconquest of Persia were a blank page in the intellectual life of its people. It is, on the contrary, a period of immense and unique interest, of fusion between the old and the new, of transformation of forms and transmigration of ideas, but in no wise of stagnation or death. Politically, it is true, Persia ceased for a while to enjoy a separate national existence, being merged in that greatMuhammadan Empirewhich stretched fromGibraltarto theJaxartes; but in the intellectual domain she soon began to assert the supremacy to which the ability and subtlety of her people entitled her. Even the forms of State organization were largely adapted from Persian models."—Al-Fakhri(ed.Ahlwardt, page 101), on the organization of theDiwansor Government offices.
"In the finance department not only was the Persian system adopted, but the Persian language and notation continued to be used till the time ofal-Hajjaj b. Yusuf(about A.D. 700)."—Edward G. Browne, "Literary History of Persia", Vol. I, page 204.
[6]"The ascendancy of the Persians over the Arabs, that is to say of the conquered over the victors, had already for a long while been in course of preparation; it became complete when theAbbasids, who owed their elevation to the Persians, ascended the throne (A.D. 749). The most distinguished personages at court were consequently Persians. The famousBarmecideswere descended from a Persian noble who had been superintendent of the Fire Temple atBalkh.Afshin, the all-powerful favorite of the Caliphal-Mutasim, was a scion of the Princes ofUsrushnain Transoxiana."—Dozy, "Histoire de l'Islamisme".
[6]"The ascendancy of the Persians over the Arabs, that is to say of the conquered over the victors, had already for a long while been in course of preparation; it became complete when theAbbasids, who owed their elevation to the Persians, ascended the throne (A.D. 749). The most distinguished personages at court were consequently Persians. The famousBarmecideswere descended from a Persian noble who had been superintendent of the Fire Temple atBalkh.Afshin, the all-powerful favorite of the Caliphal-Mutasim, was a scion of the Princes ofUsrushnain Transoxiana."—Dozy, "Histoire de l'Islamisme".
[7]"With the rise ofPersianinfluence, there opened an era of culture, toleration, and scientific research. The practice of oral tradition was also giving place to recorded statement and historical narrative,—a change hastened by the scholarly tendencies introduced from the East."—Sir William Muir, on the rise of the Abbasid Dynasty.
[7]"With the rise ofPersianinfluence, there opened an era of culture, toleration, and scientific research. The practice of oral tradition was also giving place to recorded statement and historical narrative,—a change hastened by the scholarly tendencies introduced from the East."—Sir William Muir, on the rise of the Abbasid Dynasty.
[8]"Persianinfluence increased at the court of theCaliphs, and reached its zenith underal-Hadi,Harunu'r-Rashid, andal-Mamun. Most of the ministers of the last werePersiansor ofPersianextraction. InBaghdad,Persianfashions continued to enjoy an increasing ascendancy. The oldPersianfestivals of theNawruz,Mihrgan, andRamwere celebrated.Persianraiment was the official court dress, and the tall, black, conicalPersianhats were already prescribed as official by the secondAbbasidCaliph (in A.H. 153: A.D. 770). At the court the customs of theSassanianKings were imitated, and garments decorated with golden inscriptions were introduced, which it was the exclusive privilege of the ruler to bestow. A coin of the Caliphal-Mutawakkilshows us this Prince actually clothed in truePersianfashions".—Von Kremer, Streitzuge, page 32.
[8]"Persianinfluence increased at the court of theCaliphs, and reached its zenith underal-Hadi,Harunu'r-Rashid, andal-Mamun. Most of the ministers of the last werePersiansor ofPersianextraction. InBaghdad,Persianfashions continued to enjoy an increasing ascendancy. The oldPersianfestivals of theNawruz,Mihrgan, andRamwere celebrated.Persianraiment was the official court dress, and the tall, black, conicalPersianhats were already prescribed as official by the secondAbbasidCaliph (in A.H. 153: A.D. 770). At the court the customs of theSassanianKings were imitated, and garments decorated with golden inscriptions were introduced, which it was the exclusive privilege of the ruler to bestow. A coin of the Caliphal-Mutawakkilshows us this Prince actually clothed in truePersianfashions".—Von Kremer, Streitzuge, page 32.
[9]"Il prit un si grand goût pour la philosophie qu'il se proposa d'étudier celle qui était enseignée chez les Perses et celle qui prévalait chez les Indiens. Lorsque l'empéreur Gordien se prépara à faire son expédition contre les Perses, Plotin, alors âgé de trente-neuf ans, se mit à la suite de l'armée. Il avait passé dix années entières près d'Ammonius. Gordien ayant été tué en Mesopotamie, Plotin eût assez de peine à se sauver à Antioche."—Porphyry on Plotinus: Translation of the Enneads of Plotinus (Bouillet; Paris, 1857).
[9]"Il prit un si grand goût pour la philosophie qu'il se proposa d'étudier celle qui était enseignée chez les Perses et celle qui prévalait chez les Indiens. Lorsque l'empéreur Gordien se prépara à faire son expédition contre les Perses, Plotin, alors âgé de trente-neuf ans, se mit à la suite de l'armée. Il avait passé dix années entières près d'Ammonius. Gordien ayant été tué en Mesopotamie, Plotin eût assez de peine à se sauver à Antioche."—Porphyry on Plotinus: Translation of the Enneads of Plotinus (Bouillet; Paris, 1857).
[10]"Religious Systems of the World" (Swan Sonnenschein, 1892).
[10]"Religious Systems of the World" (Swan Sonnenschein, 1892).