The Conquest of Syria, Persia and Aegypt, by the Saracens:
containing the lives of Abubeker, Omar and Othman, the immediate successors of Mahomet. Giving an account of the most remarkable battles, sieges, &c. particularly those of Aleppo, Antioch, Damascus, Alexandria and Jerusalem. Illustrating the religion, rites, customs and manner of living of that warlike people. Collected from the most authentick Arabick authors, especially manuscripts, not hitherto publish'd in any European language. London R. Knaplock, J. Sprint, R. Smith, B. Lintott, and J. Round. 1708
First edition pp.xxiv, [4], 391, [1, blank], [19, index], [1]. A very good copy bound in contemporary panelled calf, new leather spine. Edges a little rubbed. Armorial bookplate of Godfrey Bosville, and three signatures on front free end paper of different generations of Bosvilles.
Europe and the Arab World, 37
Simon Ockley was known in his day as 'ye best skilled of any man in England' at the Arabic language. Here he provides for the first time a history of the early Saracen conquests attractive to the general reader. His work became a minor classic and was much used by Gibbon. Its success ensured the author's appointment to the chair of Arabic at Cambridge.