Among the classical writings on the Zanj movement (255-270/869-883)during the ‘Abbasid caliphate, Al-Tabari (d. 310/922),1 a contemporary,incorporated in his chronicle a very comprehensive narrative, particularlyon the events of the Zanj uprising. Both Al-Mas’udi (d. 346/957)2 and IbnAbi 1-Hadid (d. 656/1258)3 supply us with valuable additions on the Zanj’smilitary expeditions. Of