The Capture and Liberation of Captives in Sayf al-Dawla and Byzantium Wars

Different religions, sects and nations have highly considered manners toward the captives. As Hamdanid were ruling in borderlands, they were involved with numerous wars against Muslim governments’ adversaries. Sayf al-Dawla, Ali ibn Abd Allah ibn Hamdan, the ruler of Halab (Aleppo) in first half of fourth century A.H, had many military struggles with Byzantines. Consequently, many soldiers and inhabitants were captured during such battles. In addition to soldiers, commanders and inhabitant, some renowned and famous figures were captured by both Hamdanid and Byzantines in wars. he Hamdanid was known as a Shiite government, on the other hand, religious motives and dignity led Christian Byzantine government to fight against Muslims to get their holy lands back. Therefore, both governments fought with religious motivations. This paper will be a descriptive and analytic study on the identity of captives, destiny and manners toward them in both Hamdanid and Byzantine government.