Arab historical records are precious treasures of human history, and a large number of historical records and legends from Roman , Greece and Perris . It is worth mentioning. In Arab records, there are frequent wars and harmony between China and Alexander the Great . These legends have long been circulated in West Asia and Central Asia. Many Arab historian works record the legend of Alexander the Great's expedition to China, but historians with strict academic research have many doubts about this.
famous historian and geographer Yagut once said:
"Former biographers said: 'Alexander Ben Philifos Romi (i.e. Alexander the Great), defeated and killed many kings. He conquered and set foot on the territory of various countries, to the farthest place in China, , and built (Yazhu and Mazhu) barriers. He did a lot of things, and he died only 32 years and 7 months.' If the above statement is correct, it seems that he never rested for a moment when he was alive. This is a very strange and unreasonable thing, and scholars did not calculate his reign well. . It takes a very long time to lead a huge army and its aureus on an expedition like traveling around the world, not to mention that every time you go to a place to collect military supplies and food and to deal with opponents who occupy strong castles, it is impossible for him to fight against those great kings just by his youth and vitality." (Agut: Dictionary of Place Names, Beirut Sadir Book Company, 1995 edition, Volume 1, page 182.)
the earliest ancient Arab writers mentioned that Alexander the Great's expedition to China was Ibn Mugafa (Ibn, author of " Karilai and Di Muna " al-Muqaffa`, approx. 724-759). He only mentioned China twice in this book, one of which was as follows:
"After completing the conquest of the Western kings, Alexander, the two-horned king of Rom, began to advance to the east, intending to conquer the Eastern kings in Persia and other places. Along the way, he defeated the protesters and defeated the resisters. He treated the princesses from all over Persia differently. Those who surrendered were content with peace and comforting them, and those who refused to surrender were defeated and destroyed. Those who resisted stubbornly were eventually beaten to run around and fled in panic. Then he led his troops to China. In the middle of , he wanted to go to India first, in order to make King of India submit to him, change his faith, and obey his orders. India at that time The king was named Fur (Fur, a powerful and brave king. He heard that the two-horned king was approaching, so he began to fight with his strong soldiers and socks and horses. "(Ibn Mugafa: "Karilaihe Di Muni", Beirut Cultural Press, 1988 edition, page 6.)
The legend of the Chinese king and the Jinghe of Alexander the Great lacks a solid historical basis, but "he switched to the East for 3 years" also leaves people with imagination. Chinese scholars who study Arab history prefer three masters, namely "History of Nationalities and Emperors of All Dynasties" Tebery , "The Golden Grassland and the Treasure of the Pearls" and "The Complete Collection of History" Ibn Esil. There are only a few words about this matter, and Message is not enough. Ibn Esil's account is the longest and most vivid. "Tebery said:
"Alexander went straight forward, came to India, killed the local king, conquered his city, and then he entered China. The practice there was exactly the same as in India. Since then, the people of both places surrendered to him. He ruled Tubo and Chinese ." (Tebery's: "History of Ethnic and Imperials in the Years", Lebanese Heritage Bookstore , 1967 edition, Volume 1, page 577. )
Ibn Aisil's account is as follows:
" Alexander set out from India to China. When he got there, his servant informed him at night that the Chinese king's messenger arrived. He summoned the messenger. The messenger greeted him and asked him to have a separate conversation. So the servants searched him and found no suspicious things. All those who were originally with Alexander retreated. At this time, the messenger said:
'I am the king of China. I came here this time to ask about your request.If I can do it, I will fulfill your requirements and give up on the war. ’
Alexander said to him: ‘Why should I promise you?’
He said: ‘I know you are a wise and wise person. There is no hostility or hatred between you and me. And you know that even if you kill me, my killing cannot be a reason to transfer the Chinese people from my royal power to you. Besides, if you do so, you will also bear the reputation of being unkind and unrighteous. ’
Alexander knew that he was extremely smart and said, ‘I want you to hand over the land rent in the treasury for three years immediately, and half of the land rent will belong to me in the future. ’
He said: ‘I can promise you. But you should ask me how I will be in. ’
’ Then tell me what your situation will be. ’
’ I will be the first person killed by a soldier and the first meal eaten by a beast. ’
’ Then how about I charge you two years of land rent?’
’ My situation will be better. ’
’ What to collect for you for a year?’
’ I can continue to take charge of the king’s power, but my pleasure will be lost. ’
’ If I exempted the past, as long as one-third of the land rent every year in the future, what will your situation be like?’
’ In this way, one-sixth will belong to the poor, the elderly, the weak, the sick and the disabled, and to deal with the needs of the country, one-sixth will belong to me, one-third will belong to the army, and one-third will belong to you. ’
’ I think it’s so good. ’
He thanked Alexander and went back. When the soldiers heard about this, they were very happy that both sides could make peace. In the second mouth, the Chinese king suddenly led a large army to surround Alexander's soldiers. Alexander immediately got on his horse and led his troops to the front of the formation. I saw the Chinese king wearing a crown on his head, and was sitting on an elephant . Alexander said to him:
‘Can you betray your faith and regret it?’
’ No. ’The Chinese king replied: ‘But I want you to know that I obey you, not because of cowardice and powerlessness, but because I found that the auspicious star of heaven was shining higher than you. I just want to obey it by obeying you, and to approach you to approach it. ’
Alexander said: ‘A monarch like you should not be forced to collect land rent, because I have never seen anyone be called a benevolent or wise ruler except you. I will exempt you from everything I asked for, and withdraw my troops from you immediately. ’
’ You won’t lose anything. After the Chinese king finished speaking, he ordered people to give him twice as many gifts as before. Alexander withdrew his troops at the right time. People from the East and the West surrendered to him, including the kings in Tubo and other places. "
This wonderful historical story performed by Ibn Aisil for future generations is indeed very attractive, so the proofreader of the version based on this article added a special comment at the end of this passage, telling readers that in another historical book, "Ghurar Akhbar Muluk al-Furs wa Siyarihim", has a "list" of gifts given to Alexander the Great by the Chinese king. It includes "one thousand silk, one thousand silk, one thousand brocade, one thousand silverware, one thousand sable , fox , seal, squirrel and male rabbit skins, one thousand ambergris 1,000 mis Galle (1 mis Galle is about 4. 68 grams), one thousand Nafeijie (a container specially designed for magic incense), one thousand Leiter incense (1 Leiter is about 2564 grams), one thousand Tass in gold and silver (a vessel for drinking water: bowl or bowl), one hundred Indian daggers inlaid with gold and gems, one hundred saddles, one hundred Chinese Mahler distilled gold, one hundred sets of refined Kaijia throughout the body. In addition, taxes are still required every year. " (Ibn Aisil: "History Collection", Beirut Arab Books Publishing House, 1999 edition, Volume 1, pages 250-251.)
Alexandria in China
From ancient times to the present, there are many cities in the world named Alexandria, some of which, especially the early ones, obviously have a connection with Alexandria, such as Egypt Alexandria.Regarding this, the famous Arab historian Denayvoli (895-Pass), recorded:
"Alexander built 12 cities: Alexander in Egypt, Najran on the land of Arabs, Mulu City in Khorasan, Jayy City in Isfahan, Jayy City, the city built on the coast is called Sayduda, Jarwayn, and the one built in China is called Qarnayn (Qarnayn, which uses the transliteration of Majian ), and other cities are built in the Rom region." (Dinaivoli: "Long Notes", Egyptian Knowledge Book Bureau, 1988 edition, page 20. )
Arabic "Galneying" means "double horn". In ancient Arabic books, Alexander the Great also often appears in the name of " Leguelneang ", which means that there are two chair horns. There are records of "Zulegeneang" in " Quran " (18:83-98), but some Islamic scholars believe that this "double horn man" is not the same as the double horn king Alexander the Great.
famous Islamic doctrine and jurist Ibn Tamiye (Ibn Taymyyah, 1263-1328) has been in "Majamu`ah" Al-Fatawa says: "HTM1 Aristotle was a minister of Alexander bin Phillips Macedonia. Christians and Jews recorded this person in Roman history about 300 years earlier than Jesus . Those who worship these philosophers believe that he is the minister of the two-horned man mentioned in the Qur’an (i.e., Zuole Geir Naiying), hoping to improve his status and reputation. This is foolish. The horned man was a very long time ago. The two-horned man built the barriers of Yaju and Maju. Although this Macedonia has been to Persia, it has never entered China, let alone built the barriers." (Ibn Tamiye: "Integration of the Precepts of Teachings", Saudi Arabia Abikan Bookstore, 1998 edition, Volume 9, page 181.)
Reprinted from Ge Tieying "Research on "China" in Ancient Arabic Books"
