Samuel Ha-Nagid
Samuel Ha-Nagid interests me because he was both a poet and a military leader. He is also unusual by being one of only two Jews who have commanded Muslim armies (his son, Joseph, was the other).
Chronology
993
Samuel (Shemuel) ha-Levi ben-Yusef ibn Nagrela is born in Córdoba.
1013
When the Berber army sack Cordoba Samuel moves to Malaga in the Berber province of Granada. Samuel, as a Arabic calligrapher, attracts the favourable attention of the Vizier (Abu al-Kasim ibn al-Arif) to the Granadine King (Habbus).
1027
When al-Kasim dies, Samuel takes on the role of Vizier. The Jewish population names Samuel "Ha-Nagid" (The Prince) as a mark of his position in the community.
1038 - 1056
When Habbus dies, Badis, his oldest son, replaces him. Samuel keeps his role of Vizier and becomes Commander of the Kings armies as well. There are only two years in the period 1038 - 1056 when Samuel is not involved in military action. Most of the conflicts are with the neighbouring Muslim Kingdom of Seville.
1056
Samuel dies in Granada.
1056 - 1066
Joseph takes over from his father.
Poetry
Samuel Ha-Nagid was a poet as well as a military commander. A lot of Medieval Jewish poetry is religious in nature, which isn't my cup of tea. Ha-Nagid, although a religious man, didn't restrict himself to praising god; as the following poem shows he was proud of his military accomplishments:
A message to his son, Joseph,
on the raising of the
siege of LorcaSend a carrier-pigeon, although she cannot speak,
With a tiny letter attached to her wings,
Sweetened with saffron-water, perfumed with frankincense.
And when she rises to fly away, send with her another,
So that, should she meet an eagle, or fall into a snare,
Or fail to make haste, the second will speed away.
And when she comes to Joseph's house, she will coo on the roof-top.
When she flies down to his hand, he will rejoice in her, as with a song-bird.
He will spread out her wings, and read a letter thus:'Know , my son, that the cursed band of rebels has fled,
Scattered among the hills like chaff from a windswept field,
And among the byways like sheep astray with no shepherd.
They looked to defeat their enemy but they did not see it.
As we went to destroy them, at that very hour they fled.
They were slaughtered, falling upon each other at the crossing.
Their designs against the barred, walled city were frustrated.
They were humiliated like thieves caught in the act.
They covered themselves with ignominy as with a garment.
Calamity attached itself to them like the skin to one's face.
They drank contempt in their cups, and drained the cup of drunkenness.
In my heart there was the pain of a woman bearing her first child,
and God put balm upon it, like rain in the drought.
Then my eyes were brightened, and my enemies' plunged in gloom.
I sing with a joyful heart, and t hey utter only laments.
The voice of gladness is in my house, and theirs hears bitter weeping.To you, my rock and my tower, to you my soul sings.
When I was in trouble, my plaint was laid before you.
My son, put your heart in the glorious hand of my God.
Arise, sing my song in the full assembly of the people.
And make it an amulet to be bound on your hand,
And let it be written with pen of iron in your heart.'