Youhanna Al Diyab

Youhanna Al Diyab was a character in a story told by Shahrizad.

History

In 1195, in the city of Constantinople, Shahrizad regaled Emperor Isaac Angelos and his court with the first part of the story of Youhanna Al Diyab, a boy from Khaifang who lived with his mother until one day a Sorcerer arrived – claiming to be Youhanna Al Diyab's uncle. Later on, the sorcerer commanded Al Diyab to hand over a lamp but when the boy refused, the sorcerer sealed him in a cave to starve.

While the story surely continued the following evening, it is not known when Shahrizad concluded the story. ("Fallen From the Ranks...")

Appearances

• "Fallen From the Ranks..." (Mentioned Only)

Real World Background

Antun Yusuf Hanna Diyab was a Syrian writer and storyteller. He originated the best-known versions of the tales of Aladdin and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves which have been added to the One Thousand and One Nights since French orientalist Antoine Galland translated and included them, after which they soon became popular across the West.

See Also

• Youhanna Al Diyab at Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia