Could a Caliph Be Virtuous? Selected Aspects of the Image of Muslim Rulers in the "Chronography" of Theophanes the Confessor

The Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor is one few Byzantine historiographical works in which so much space devoted to Islamic world and first ruling caliphate. Of course, most references Muslims concern mostly military issues – numerous Muslim invasions on lands that were happening almost since beginning Islam. Also important was way treated Islam itself as a religion heresy. Therefore, it hard expect descriptions caliphs can be considered positive. In them, we find rather “evidence” greed, stupidity, or propensity violence, characterize caliphs. Nevertheless, context answer question posed title whether caliph could virtuous worth taking closer look at image two rulers Chronography Mu‘awiya ‘Abd al-Malik. This text dedicated these rulers.