The Role of Personal Bias in Historical Narratives: ‘Imād al-Dīn al-Isfahānī’s Portrayal of ‘Imād al-Dīn Zangī

Öz

Bu makale tarihsel anlatılarda kişisel ön yargının rolünü incelemekte ve tarihçi İmâdüddin el-İsfahânî’nin Nuṣretü’l-fetre adlı eserinde İmâdüddin Zengî’yi nasıl tasvir ettiğine odaklanmaktadır. İsfahânî’nin Zengî’yi betimlemesi dikkate değer derecede olumsuzdur; onu Nizârî İsmâilî Haşhaşîler’le ittifak yapmak ve zalimce davranışlar sergilemek gibi çeşitli olumsuz özelliklerle ilişkilendirir. Çalışma İsfahânî’nin ön yargısının kişisel husumet ile Eyyûbîler tarafından Zengîliler’i itibarsızlaştırmayı amaçlayan propaganda etkisinden kaynaklandığını ileri sürmektedir. Bu bakış açısı, Zengî’yi âdil ve yetenekli bir hükümdar olarak tasvir eden müslüman, hıristiyan ve Süryânî kaynakları dahil olmak üzere diğer çağdaş anlatılarla karşılaştırılmaktadır; özellikle onun topraklarını güvence altına alma ve geliştirme çabaları vurgulanmaktadır. Makale tarihsel kaynakların eleştirel bir yaklaşımla değerlendirilmesinin, özellikle kişisel ön yargıların anlatının doğruluğunu etkileyebileceği durumlarda, önemine dikkat çekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• ʿİmād al-Dīn Zengī
• ʿİmād al-Dīn el-İsfahānī
• Zengîler
• Eyyûbî propagandası
• Tarih yazımı

The Role of Personal Bias in Historical Narratives: ‘Imād al-Dīn al-Isfahānī’s Portrayal of ‘Imād al-Dīn Zangī

Öz

The article examines the role of personal bias in historical narratives, focusing on the portrayal of ʿImād al-Dīn Zangī by the historian ʿImād al-Dīn al-Iṣfahānī in his work Nuṣrat al-fatra. Al-Iṣfahānī’s depiction of Zangī is notably hostile, attributing various negative traits and actions to him, such as alliances with the Nizārī Ismāʿīlī Assassins and tyrannical behavior. The study suggests that al-Iṣfahānī’s bias stems from personal animosity and Ayyubid propaganda, which aimed to undermine the Zangids. This view is contrasted with other contemporary sources, including Muslim, Christian, and Syriac accounts, which often portray Zangī in a more favorable light as a just and capable ruler, particularly in his efforts to secure and develop his territories. The article highlights the importance of critically assessing historical sources, especially when personal biases may influence the accuracy of the narrative.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Imād al-Dīn Zangī
• Imād al-Dīn al-Iṣfahānī
• Zangids
• Ayyubid propaganda
• Historiography.

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