Notes on the political career of Ibn KhaldunIn Fez, round oneFez, MoroccoThe basic problemFez, continuedGranadaGrenada [Gharnata]Unfortunate eventsA new venture in North AfricaRetreat from politicsAbandoning the political projectMeeting with Timur, 1402Timur’s tomb (Samarqand)TimurThe role of the philosopherNotes on the political career of Ibn KhaldunCarl ErnstIntroduction to Islamic CivilizationIn Fez, round one1352: appointed secretary (age 20) in the government of Abu `Inan, Marinid prince, wrote royal proclamationsDiplomatic contacts with North Africa and SpainImprisoned for nearly 2 years for intrigues2Fez, Morocco3The basic problem“the region was ruled by tyrants whose personal qualities were decisive in determining the character of the communities they ruled. To be active in politics under such conditions meant establishing some kind of relation with one of these tyrants, and one’s political rule depended largely on how this relation stood.”--Muhsin Mahdi, Ibn Khaldun’s Philosophy of History, 384Fez, continuedAfter murder of Abu `Inan, supports brother Abu Salim, becomes chief of Chancery and high court“Abu Salim did not become the wise and strong sovereign he had expected him to become, but a weak, shortsighted, and illiberal tyrant who had no other interest beyond preserving his power” (Mahdi, 39)1362: he leaves for Granada5GranadaBecomes close friend of wazir Ibn al-Khatib, who says, “he commands respect, is able,… unruly, strong-willed, and full of ambitions for climbing to the highest position of leadership”Ibn Khaldun tries to train the ruler, Muhammad V, in logic and philosophyIbn al-Khatib considers this a serious error of judgment and makes him leave6Grenada [Gharnata]7Unfortunate eventsMuhammad V becomes a tyrantIbn al-Khatib is imprisoned, condemned, and executedIbn Khaldun suppresses all reference to this episode in his autobiography8A new venture in North Africa1364: Hafsid ruler, Abu `Abd Allah, makes Ibn Khaldun chamberlain in Bijaya (modern Bougie; see Ibn Battuta, pp. 33-34, 40 years earlier)He attempts “to be an advisor to a tyrant and create an efficient state based on moderation” (Mahdi, 45), much like Aristotle with Alexander, or Plato with the tyrant of Syracuse, Dionysius; failure results.9Retreat from politics10 years research and teachingAlthough he obtained the allegiance of Hilali tribes for local rulersAfter a bad experience in Granada, retires to Castle of Ibn Salama for 4 years to write the Introduction to history, seeking the causes of historical eventsFirst draft of book one complete in 1377flees political chaos for Egypt 138210Abandoning the political project“he abandoned his early hopes of reshaping society through political action and ceased to consider it necessary to continue his attempts to realize the city of his hopes through a reformed ruler who through his own seizure of political power” (Mahdi, 26)11Meeting with Timur, 1402Timur’s objective: to find the weaknesses of Egypt and the West, with a view to conquest – a purpose resisted by Ibn KhaldunIbn Khaldun’s description of North Africa probably betrayed no weaknesses, thus making its conquest less desirable Ibn Khaldun is permitted to leave for Cairo12Timur’s tomb (Samarqand)13Timur14The role of the philosopherA solitary figure in an imperfect societyStudy and teaching in the hope of finding qualified studentsActing like a physician to the body politicA “secret king” (Mahdi,