Is There a Political History of Sarir? Some Observations Based on Muslim Sources. Part I: The Expeditions of Marwan Ibn Muhammad

Abstrakt

Sarir, one of the smaller Caucasian states located in present-day Dagestan, is primarily known for its alleged Christianization, supposedly due to influences from Georgia or Albania. In this text, however, we will focus on the accounts of Arab historians. Based on these accounts, we can gain some understanding of the political role of Sarir in the emerging relations between Muslims and local political entities in Dagestan. I do not intend to discuss the numerous geographical works in which Arab authors mention Sarir. This topic has been discussed numerous times in existing literature, and the bibliography includes the main geographical works in which Sarir plays a significant role. Here, I will focus on specific references to the activities of Sarir’s rulers, in particular the political and military situations. Studying selected geographical references might lead one to believe that this state played a significant role in Dagestan. However, Muslim historians’ references to specific events in the history of Arab-Caucasian relations can significantly challenge such beliefs. This article is the first part of a planned discussion of the activities of Sarir’s rulers from the 8^th to the 11^th centuries, covering events from the first half of the 8^th century.