古代阿拉伯史学史的分期及其特点

Ancient Arabic Historiography: Periodization and Characteristics

古代阿拉伯史学是世界史学的重要组成部分,其发展历程大致经历了五个阶段。公元761年以前是史学萌芽期。它分为两个阶段:前伊斯兰时期的历史意识为阿拉伯史学的萌发奠定了基础;七世纪中叶至伊本·伊斯哈格的《先知传》成书,史学发展的主要特点是由简单的历史记录向完整的史书编纂过渡。此后直到泰伯里去世是史学成长期。史学在数量和质量上都得到了极大的提高,代表作是《历代民族与帝王史》。此后直到阿拔斯王朝灭亡是史学繁荣期。期间,史学获得独立学科的地位,成就辉煌。阿拉伯史学在马木鲁克王朝时期得到延续,史学、史家和史书都发生了重大变化,历史哲学和史学理论专著问世。16世纪中叶至18世纪末,奥斯曼帝国统治下的阿拉伯史学走向全面衰落。

An important part of historiographical traditions around the world,ancient Arabic historiography is a valuable legacy.Broadly speaking,its development went through five periods.The first period began in pre-Islamic times and ended in 761 CE.Historical consciousness emerged among the Arabs in pre-Islamic times which laid the foundation for the writing of Arabic historiography.Then from the mid-7thcentury it marked a noted progress,exemplified by Ibn Ishāq's writing of the al-Sīrah al-Nabīy,which was a prime example for the development from keeping historical records to composing historical texts.The second period covered from 761 to al-Tabarī's death in 923,in which Arabic historiography saw more accomplishment,such as the completion of al-Tabarī's Tārīkh al-Umamwa-l-Mulūk.The third period was from 924 to 1258,in which Arabic historiography grew to become more autonomous and independent subject of study.The period witnessed an impressive growth of historical writings in both quality and quantity,thus was called a golden period of Arabic historiography.In the following Mamlūk period,Arabic historiography entered a phase of transformation,not only in the status of the historian but also in the content of their writings.It was also in the period that some historians reflected and produced works on historical theory and/or the philosophy of history.From the mid-16thcentury to the end of the 18thcentury,however,Arabic historiography entered a phase of decline under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.