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

Dominique Sourdel, Janine Sourdel-Thomine, Jean-Michel Mouton

• Publication of an unedited text written at the beginning of the 10th century in Damascus. It concerns a merchant's letter describing an attack on the town by the Shi'ite sect of the Qarmates. The writer of the letter paints a broad picture of the Syrian capital and its oasis, the Ghouta, at a decisive moment in its history. The city, under the direction of a regime with limited military capacity, finds safety behind its ancient city walls thanks to the vigour of the merchants and urban militias.