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From Baghdad to Madinat al-Salam: The Traces of an Ancient Toponym in Mesopotamian Documents, from the Second Millennium BCE to the Abbasids Caliphate

Document Type : Scientific-Research

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Toponyms represent a cultural accumulation of linguistic richness within a language that has developed over time and reflects the reconstruction of identity, culture, beliefs, myths, customs, literature, geographical location and historical background of a society. The aim and question of this study is to recognize and reinterpret the antiquity and continuity of the linguistic and cultural roots of the toponym ‘Baghdad’ from its emergence to its designation as ‘Madinat al-Salam’ as the capital by Caliph Abu Ja’far al-Mansur of the Abbasid dynasty The present study is of a fundamental research nature and historical in essence. The result of this research, from an etymological perspective, indicates that the origin of the term 'Baghdad' is Persian (Indo-Iranian language) and is documented in various texts and sources written in Old Persian, Middle Persian, Persian, and Arabic from the first half of the second millennium BC to the Islamic period. With the change of religion in Iran during the Islamic era, the word 'baγ' no longer meant God, but referred only to idols and statues. However, the important point is the conceptual relationship between the ancient toponym Baghdad 'Khudadad' and the name 'Madinat al-Salam.' The concept behind the term 'Madinat al-Salam' embodies the idea of Iran-Shahr, as described by Arab Muslim historians and geographers. Baghdad was named 'Madinat al-Salam' because 'Salam' is synonymous with 'Allah,' and its intention was 'Madinat Allah' (City of God), indicating a place governed by divine mandates and regulating principles.

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References
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History of Islam and Iran
Volume 34, Issue 62 - Serial Number 152
summer 2024
September 2024
Pages 37-60
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