Kitab al-I'tibar

''Kitab al-I'tibar'' (, ''The Book of Learning by Example'') is the autobiography of Usama ibn-Munqidh, an Arab Syrian diplomat, soldier of the 12th century, hunter, poet and nobleman.

The book was first discovered in 1880 in the Real Biblioteca del Monasterio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial (San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain). It exists as 134 folios with the first 21 pages missing and is considered a copy of a copy of the original made in July 1213. However it remains the only version available to date.

Hartwig Derenbourg (1844-1908) was the first to mention the manuscript in his three volumes book "Les manuscrits arabes de l'Escurial" (1884-1903) and his book "Ousama ibn Mounkidh, un émir syrien" (1889) when he studied, transcribed and published the work. Philip K. Hitti (1886 – 1978) added to his work in his publication "An Arab-Syrian Gentlemen in the Period of the Crusades: Memoirs of Usamah ibn-Munqidh", with the latest edition published in 2000 by Columbia University Press.

Usamah's autobiography is part of the literary genre known as '' adab'' which aims at "pleasing, diverting and titilating" its readers, as well as instructing them. Philip K. Hitti, in the introduction to his translation, describes the work as superior to other Arabic biographies. According to him, ''It gives us a glimpse into Syrian methods of warfare, hawking and medication, and ushers us into the intimacies of Moslem court life as well as private home life.''. It also offers an insight into the mindset of Arabic knights as they interacted with the crusaders as friends, fought against them as enemies and on matters of religion and politics.

Islamic society in the 12th century

Much of the autobiography addresses the material culture of the time. It describes wealthier society members, including their houses, clothes and valued possessions. There is much detail on military society as Usama was involved in many battles against Christians and fellow Muslims, including attitudes towards the Christian crusaders. It provides an idea of the internal political structure as Usama served under the Fatimid court in Egypt and under Nur al-Din. Usama provides information on medical practices, religion and hunting.

Material culture

When Usama moves to Egypt in 1144 the caliph provided him with a place to reside, which he describes:

The autobiography gives evidence of textiles and clothing: ''He nowiki/>Al-Malik al-'Adil">Al-Malik_al-'Adil.html" ;"title="nowiki/>Al-Malik al-'Adil">nowiki/>Al-Malik al-'Adilput at my disposal six thousand Egyptian dinars, a camel load of Dabiqi clothes, of ciclatoum, of squirrel-furred gowns, of Dimyati brocade, and of turbans.''

Dabiqi cloth was linen, sometimes interwoven with gold and silk, ciclatoun was another precious cloth. Dimyati brocade was a white linen or silk with added gold threads. Usama describes the things that were plundered from his home when he had to flee from it: ''From the hall of my home they carried away forty huge camel bags all sewn up and containing great quantities of silver, gold and clothing, and from my stable they marched away thirty-six horses and female saddle mules''

Usama describes another time when his possessions were stolen when his family are returning from Egypt. On their journey, the Kingdom of Jerusalem">King of Jerusalem