The Representation of Human Relations in Arabic Poetry of the Abbasid Era

This study examines Abbasid-era Arabic poetry not merely within the framework of literary genres and aesthetic characteristics, but as a representation of human relations shaped by the historical, social, and cultural dynamics of the period. The multicultural fabric of the Abbasid State, its pursuit of political stability, social stratification, and intellectual dynamism transformed poetry into both a sophisticated art form and a functional medium for reflecting complex social interactions. Within this context, poetry assumed a pivotal role in contextualizing the relationships between the individual and authority, the poet and the protector, the person and society, and the human and death. This study examines classical genres such as madih (panegyric), hija (satire), and ritha (elegy) from a literary history perspective, analyzing how each genre constructs, transforms, and reproduces human relations. While panegyric poems render visible power dynamics based on patronage, loyalty, and reciprocity; satirical poems reflect interpersonal tensions through social conflict, defamation, and symbolic violence. Furthermore, through themes of death, mourning, and loss, ritha (elegy) highlights the concepts of loyalty, belonging, and collective memory, thereby transforming individual grief into a shared social sensibility. Adopting a text-centered and contextual methodology, this study demonstrates that Abbasid poetry cannot be conceptualized independently of historical events, social structures, and human experiences. Consequently, it can be argued that Arabic poetry of the Abbasid period serves as a dynamic cultural sphere where human relations are constructed through aesthetic language, and where social values, ethical standards, and historical consciousness are transmitted via literary texts. © 2026 Study Group on Assessment, Therapy and Emotions. All rights reserved.