Al-Mansur's Book on Hunting

The original manuscript of On Hunting was presented to the Hafsid Sultan of North Africa, al-Mustansir bi-Allah, known as al-Mansur, in 1247. He was a passionate hunter with Saluqis, falcons and other predators on his estate at Bizerte. This book covers in particular the selection, breeding, feeding and training of Saluqis for hunting, and the treatment of canine diseases. It also deals with hunting with other predators, such as cheetahs. It concludes with a catalogue of animals and birds suitable for hunting. This work draws heavily on earlier classical sources, probably in Arabic translations, and combines the essence of the medieval Arab view of both the theoretical and practical sides of preparing Saluqis and other predators for the chase and on the objects of the chase themselves. It should appeal therefore to all those interested in the Arab world and to those concerned with the origins of the Saluqi.