Al Yaqoubi believed that Samarra was, in the ancient times, a desert but the modern archaeological studies confirmed that the city had aspects of live since the beginning of the 6th century BC . It was emerged as acity in the 4th centruy BC. It has been classified as one of the ancient Iraqi cities . since then, It was inhabited .
The city of Samarra was built to be the capital of the Adbbasid Empire. the place was inhabited form ancient times .The inhabitants had a share of civilization for the ancient times .When Al-Mu'Tasim, the Abbasid caliph, moved from Baghdad to Samarra,he was looking for a place to build a new capital.As he was checking positions,he arrived at a place 118 km away from Baghdad .He found a monastery of Christian . He stayed three days there and found it comfortable and attracted . Then, he bought the land of the monastery with four thousand dinars.In (221 A.H),he started to put plans, to build the city when it was built ,he moved to it with his commanders and follow citizens . shortly after, people moved to the city to built their one houses .It was named Alaskari attributted to ( the military ) .The famous word samarra derived from (A joy for all who see) while the city was full and prosperous, and then become (a sorrow for all who see )as the city was ruined and damaged .
The city was designed to be the capital of one of the greatest empires that have ever emerged on the history . the Arab empire stretched from the Atlantic coasts of the west to the frontiers of China in the east .Despite the difference in races and tongues,and some semi-independent states on it, they were all linked to their bond of Islam and Arab civilization . They all has subjected to the caliph of Samarra.
The Dutch orientalist Kramerz said (it was a mass of one religious block as well as the strong political bonds including the combined force of arms , and made its inhabitants the greatest central force known to man).
the establishment of Samarra was considered the most important works of Al-Mu'Tasim . The importance of this matter backed to the design of pre-established, great and sustained effort, money. As a matter of fact , Samarra played an important role in the course of the Arab civilization through 3rd century.
Al-Mu'Tasim has chosen the right place for the city in terms of atmosphere and climate, water availability and the immunity of the site . He put plans to meet the needs and requirements of army and civilian life. He deployed the required construction works of his city on his commanders and senior employees to ensure the rapid completion. He did not spare money and managed to build a wide city , with full facilities during a short period . The construction began in the year (221A.H) and completed at the end of next year . Soon, people from everywhere settled in it as it was the capital of the caliphate .Shortly after , it has become one of the most important cities of the world . The Caliph brought workers in various professions (farmers ,horse men, etc… ) .He also conveyed people of every profession and industry .He gave them aproperties to built their own houses .The city was widen in building and the city emerged in homes, palaces and markets. A large number of people from other cities and countries moved to it for a good atmosphere and good location .
1.2. Nomination
1. The name of the city in the ancient writings of historians was “Sarre men ra’a” which translates to “A joy for all who see”.
2. The name attributtated to Sam Bin nouh,who built it or that it had built to him .
3. The name of Samara is likely to be derived from the name of an old place which was known at the time of the Assyrians and Babylonians called (sumurim ) or in the name of (Sormarta) and was an important during the era before the Arab conquest.
4. Anastas Karmali says (The name of the city, was not put by Al-Mu'Tasim himself but it was very old .the Roman Amjnos Mrcelinos( 320 -390) had mentioned the name as (sumera). The Greek Zosmes ,who wrote the Romanian history in the five hundereds AC ,had noted the name as (Soma-3)or (souma) .
5. Dr. Mustafa Jawad had an opinion , close to the above mentioned in the nomnation of Samarra says: (Samara is an Aramie name . In origin, the name of samarra is shortended like the other Aramie names, such as :karbala , Ekbra, and Hrora, and Baqhoba.
The various explanations given for the orgin of the name( Samarra) showed that it dates back to the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians . It is natural that the term of samarra exposed to alteration and amendment with the passage of time and in different languages until it was finally settled in the era of AlMu'Tasim
1.4. The city's founding
The city was established by the Caliph Al-Mu'Tasim (221 AH / 835 AD). Samarra area was about 40 km in length and 2 km in width .
Ashtura estamited it`s area of 6800 hectares but Dr. Eng Ahmed Soussa said that the size of the city had become 217 km instead of 102 km when combined with Hayr Al-Motawakil, Qadissiya and the stables of horses .So, the city of Samarra is considered one of the major cities of the ancient and modern worlds . The streets of Samarra, was wide and long and it had no walls a round it in contrast to the city of Baghdad.
Al-Mu'Tasim had built palaces such as : Jawsag , Alamari and alWazzery .Then , he gave commanders and the people plots of land to build their own houses .He put plans to built the great mosque. He mapped around the markets and he built palaces and architecture and developed the water irragation .
1.5. Villages and the outskirts of the city
1. Aldor : there are two of the name. First; the upper Aldor between Samarra and Tikrit, and the second, the lower Aldor to the northern of Al-Mu'Tasim city .
2. Qadisiyah, now called Galsiyya and is located about 11 km south of Samarra and Tigris edge east and south of Al-Qaim tower where Caliph al-mustain killed
3. Al-Qatoul ,south of Samarra, here were the irrigation projects in Samarra. it was inhabited by alMu'Tasim but the construction has been difficult because it is gravel trenches,as a result,he move to Samarra.
4. AlKarkh is located about 8 km between Samarra and Aldor inhabited by Turkish soldiers .
5. Almtclaiyya had many names : (Almtclaiyya,Ja'fariyya, Almahoza and Jaafari) is located about 10 kilometers from Samarra, its ruins is still eracted.
6. Muhammadiyah village inhabited by al Motawakil before he built Almtclaiyya .its defficult to locate it nowdays
7. Almteirah village, about 11 km south of Samarra . and Baghdad, was one of the parks in the succession of the safe .
ـ 1.6. Street
Gulf street , Alsrija Street (known as the greatest street), and Al-Hayr Street, Abu Ahmed bin Rashid Street, Turkish Bergmsh Street, and Alascr street
1.7. Map of the city's historic
