This study contributes to the history of social changes in Iran during the Abbasid Caliphate (AH 132–656, AD 750–1258) by foregrounding the perspective of Persian language historians – from Abu Ali Bal'ami (AH 363, AD 974), the first known Persian historian, to Atamelak Joveyni (AH 623–681, AD 1226–1283), the great historian of the Mongol Era. By applying the insights of Anthony Giddens and the theory of structuration to address the interactions of social agents and structures, this book provides a coherent narrative of social transformation in medieval Iran.

Maryam Kamali is a lecturer at Fairfield University, the director of the website IranianMedievalHistory.com and the author of a number of publications on the history of Iran.

Table of Contents
Dedication
Preface
Introduction
Author’s Notes
Part I
The Formation of the Iranian Authority under the .Abb.sid Caliphate
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Formation of the .Abb.sid Caliphate: from Secret Da.va to the Rise of Siy.h-J.meg.n (the Black Garments)
Bibliography
Chapter 2: Establishment of the .Abb.sid Caliphate, Restructuring or Displacement of Agents
Keywords: .Abb.sids, D..ies, Abu Moslem, Iranian Vazirs, Barmakids
Bibliography
Chapter 3: Split in the .Abb.sid Political Structure, A Prelude to the Independence of Khor.s.n
Keywords: The .Abb.sids, Khor.s.n, Baghdad, Ma.mun, T.her
Bibliography
Part II
The Structure of Iranian Dynasties: From Dependence to Independence
Introduction
Chapter 4: T.herid's Rule in the Shadow of .Abb.sid Caliphate
Keywords: The T.herid dynasty, B.bak, M.ziy.r, Afshin
Bibliography
Chapter 5: The Structure of the S.m.nid Government, Moving in the Direction of Cultural Independence
Keywords: The S.m.nid Dynasty, Iranian border guards and bureaucrats, Ism..ilis
Bibliography
Chapter 6: The Saff.rid Dynasty, a Power outside the .Abb.sid Structure
Keywords: The Saff.rid dynasty, Ya.qub-e Leys, Sist.n, The Ayy.rs
Chapter 7: .Alawites of Tabarest.n, the First Shi.ite Dynasty in Iran
Keywords: The Buyid Dynasty, Deylamis, the Shi.ites, the Eqt..
Chapter 8: The Buyid Dynasty: A Turning Point in Iran's Social Change
Bibliography
Part III
The Rise of Solt.nates in the Power Structure
Chapter 9: The Formation of the Ghaznavid Solt.nate
Chapter 10: The Saljuq Dynasty, the First Islamic Empire in Iran
Chapter 11: The Khw.razmsh.hi Dynasty Emerging from the Saljuq Structure
Bibliography
Conclusion
References