E Library

"This book explores the history of Jordan from the earliest stages of human settlement nearly two million years ago, through the Stone Ages and the Bronze Age, reaching the Semitic kingdoms such as Edom, Moab, and Ammon. It also sheds light on significant archaeological findings, such as the statues of ‘Ain Ghazal and the world’s oldest known remains of bread. The author then moves on to the foreign civilizations that passed through Jordanian territory, including the Hebrews, Hyksos, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans, highlighting their relics and historical sites in Jordan. A dedicated chapter focuses on the Nabataeans—their origins, political system, and territorial extent—followed by a study of Arab migrations from the Arabian Peninsula and Yemen, and the emergence of the Ghassanid state and its alliance with the Romans. The book then covers the arrival of Islam in Jordan and proceeds to outline the succession of Islamic eras: the Rashidun, Umayyad, and Abbasid periods, the Crusader conflicts, the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, and the Ottoman era, beginning with the Battle of Marj Dabiq in 1516. It includes a discussion of administrative divisions, social conditions, local revolts, as well as the migrations of Circassians and Chechens. A chapter is dedicated to the Great Arab Revolt, the Hashemite Emirate of Faisal, and local governments, then moves on to the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan, beginning with the arrival of Emir Abdullah I, the Cairo Conference, the formation of the first government, and the annexation of Ma’an and Aqaba. The author also devotes several chapters to analyzing the challenges faced during the state's formative period, such as the Koura incidents, Wahhabi incursions, the Syrian revolt, and financial crises. The book discusses the period of British Mandate, various constitutions, the achievement of independence, the assassination of King Abdullah I, and the beginning of King Hussein’s reign, along with the major transformations that occurred during his rule, such as the Arabization of the army leadership, the 1956 parliamentary elections, and Israeli aggressions. The book then addresses Jordan’s relationship with Palestine, covering the 1948 war, the unification of the two banks, the Palestine Liberation Organization, the 1967 war, fedayeen (guerrilla) activity, the United Arab Kingdom proposal, and ending with the disengagement decision of 1988. It also reviews Arab peace initiatives with Israel, from the Camp David Accords to the Madrid Conference and the Wadi Araba Treaty. In a dedicated chapter, the book discusses key political turning points, such as the Iran–Iraq War, the invasion of Kuwait, parliamentary life in Jordan, and the Hashemite custodianship over holy sites. It concludes with a chapter on the Jordanian system of governance, explaining the three branches of power: the legislative, executive, and judicial authorities. This work stands out not merely as a chronological historical account but as an analytical perspective written by a former Prime Minister and a prominent statesman, considered one of the decision-makers in Jordan. This adds a unique documentary and personal dimension to the narrative. The Royal Hashemite Documentation Center hopes that this book contributes to enhancing national awareness and offers an accurate scientific narrative of Jordan’s historical journey—from ancient times to the formation of the modern state, which continues to progress and flourish under the Hashemite banner and with the resolve of its great people."