1 (Why are the authors writing if people are illiterate)

Most people during the time that this document was written could not read. This document is The Capturing of Jerusalem in 1187 by Ibn al-Athir, and during that time point only certain people such as the priests (wealthy) and educated (also wealthy) were NOT illiterate. However the majority of the people and ordinary citizens could not read at all, let alone this document, so why was it written? I think that one reason this document was written even if people then could not read it, was for future generations. It was written for posterity, and not to help the religion or group at the time in particular, but to help the future decipher and more easily understand things in time. It was written so those in the future could really visualize and learn about what happened during the battle during the crusades, and why it was important to their background. They could learn about the team the Muslims battled against (written from a Muslim point of view), in order to ready themselves in the future. They could learn about their strengths and weaknesses, and just overall more about their history. Just like any form or teaching of history, we learn or record it for the future. In this situation, Ibn wrote this document most likely for the Muslims to read in the future because the majority of people could not even read it at the time. In general we learn about history in order to discover patterns within our people and within our society. Also to see what worked and what did not work, so we can do better. I believe that is exactly why this document about the Franks gave Jerusalem to the Muslims during the crusades battle was written.