For our August meeting we will read and discuss Ibn Fadlan's account of the Rus.
"Ahmad ibn Fadlan, was a 10th-century Arab Muslim traveler, famous for his account of his travels as a member of an embassy of the Abbasid caliph, al-Muqtadir of Baghdad, to the king of the Volga Bulgars, known as his risāla ("account" or "journal").
His account is most notable for providing a detailed description of the Volga Vikings, including eyewitness accounts of life as part of a trade caravan and witnessing a ship burial.
Ibn Fadlan's detailed writings have been cited by numerous historians. They have also inspired entertainment works, including Michael Crichton's novel Eaters of the Dead and its film adaptation The 13th Warrior." - Wikipedia
We will aim to meet at Frontier on the 2nd Sunday of the month (Sunday, 8/14/2022) with the primary discussion / public portion of the meeting starting around 5:30 PM.
Hi! I‘m looking to connect with fellow heathens in ABQ area. Is this meeting open to non-members? If so, is there a table where you all usually sit or another way I will be able to find you guys? Thank you!
I recommend James E. Montgomery's "IBN FADLAN AND THE RUSIYYAH" Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies 3 (2000). While the translation is similar, he has a lot more explanatory footnotes. In addition, cleanliness always comes up with this reading. The Rus received access to the baths in Constantinople as the result of one of their sieges. That and Wulfstan (I think its Wulfstan) suggest there may be a cultural lens to consider on the subject of cleanliness.