Origin Narratives and the Making of Dynastic History in al-Dīnawarī’s Akhbār

<p> This article takes the reader on a journey into the historical writing of the ninth century Muslim historian al-D&imacr;nawar&imacr; (d. 895) and examines the motives behind composing his <em> al-Akhb&amacr;r al-ṭiw&amacr;l </em> . The themes and narrative arrangements of this work give insight into al-D&imacr;nawar&imacr;'s historical agenda that demonstrates his interest in royal histories that exemplify the rise and fall of nations, dynasties, and powerful rulers. Al-D&imacr;nawar&imacr;'s emphasis on specific episodes and events demonstrates that only certain ethnic groups whose political legitimacy derives from a respectable and prominent origin can bring about political and social stability. By dealing with these sociopolitical concerns, this article also sheds new light on the intellectual discourses and political crises that dominated Islamic society during the eighth and ninth centuries and the way al-D&imacr;nawar&imacr; reacted to these challenges.</p>