The Naval Commanders of Early Islam: A Prosopographical Approach

Translated from Hebrew, this groundbreaking study sets out to answer one simple question: who were the commanders of the early Islamic navy? Using the prosopographical method, Elmakias unearths fresh information about early Islam's inexperienced and pioneering naval commanders. Through their fascinating biographies, we learn about the people who led the Islamic navy during the first conquests of the Islamic empire and helped to realise the spread and expansion of Islamic influence. Extracting information from a wide range of classical Arabic sources, prosopography enables this study to follow these commanders, from their backgrounds, tribal and cultural affiliation, to their military and administrative careers.