Qusayr Amra

Today in Jordan, Qusayr Amra was a bathhouse built by the caliph Walid b. Yazid when he was still heir to the throne. It is famous for its frescoes, which depict bathing, hunting, and building scenes, as well as a zodiac and presumed to be Walid himself. The artwork at Qusayr Amra reflects Umayyad familiarity with both early Christian and Byzantine imperial imagery.

A woman bathing:

The Zodiac dome:

A woman in an arch:

The vaulted ceiling with image of a youth, mature man, and old man. plus a bear playing a stringed instrument:

8th-century Inscriptions & Mural

One of the more famous murals of Qusayr Amra shows the “six kings.” Four are labeled in both Greek and Arabic: the Byzantine emperor, the King of Spain, the Sasanian emperor, and the king of Axum. The other two are too damaged to identify, but historians have suggested the kings of China or India.

8th-century Portrait

This may depict the patron, the Umayyad caliph Walid b. Yazid.

8th-century Inscriptions

At eye level in the audience hall, in Arabic:

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the [Merciful], there is no [god except] / God, unique, who has no associate […] / God … God…

High up on the wall, above a window in the audience hall, in Arabic:

Oh God, make virtuous Walid b. Yazd thanks to the virtue of […]/cause him to unite with the pious ones. Surround him with refreshment of kinship, oh protector of the two worlds / for his eternal community…the religion on the day of… the gathering

At eye level, in center of the wall in the audience hall, in Arabic:

Oh God, make virtuous (?) the successor to the Caliphate of the Muslim men and the Muslim women… …the protection of God ad his mercy.

High up on the wall, above a window in the audience hall, in Arabic:

Oh God, bless the prince as you blessed David and Abraham and the people of his community… … the prophet…