Closing Ranks

Soon after his arrival as newly appointed governor of Iraq, al-Ḥajjāj (d. 95/714) faced a standoff with prominent member the Baṣran garrison, Ibn al-Jārūd al-ʿAbdī 76/695). In this article, I track course rebellion an example political system that, lacking hegemonic coercion and control, was rather characterized by multiple overlapping centers authority in which caliph, governor, those under their rule all played part. Within system, power ongoing state contestation it conceived different ways various stakeholders. al-Jārūd’s thus operated form negotiation, following established, if fragile, norms communication within violence calculated gambit, one repertoire available accepted tactical options. Indeed, despite violent death number close followers, supporters, high-ranking commanders among them, were reintegrated into caliphate soon participating again including through rebellions. The article argues for re-evaluation revolts conceptualization not breakdown government structures or rejection them rebelling but understood even inevitable feature certain tensions between instruments control could be mediated resolved only open conflict.