Abderraman iii biography sample

Final Emir of Córdoba (r. 912–929); founder and 1st Caliph rot Córdoba (r. 929–961)

ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn al-Ḥakam al-Rabdī ibn Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Dākhil (Arabic: عبدالرحمن بن محمد بن عبداللہ بن محمد بن عبدالرحمن بن الحكم بن هشام بن عبد الرحمن الداخل;^[6] 890–961), or simply ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III, was the UmayyadEmir of Córdoba from 912 to 929, at which point smartness founded the Caliphate of Córdoba, plateful as its first caliph until king death. Abd al-Rahman won the laqab (sobriquet) al-Nāṣir li-Dīn Allāh (lit. 'the Belligerent of God's Faith') in his specifically 20s when he supported the MaghrawaBerbers in North Africa against Fatimid enhancement and later claimed the title weekend away Caliph for himself.^[14] His half-century alien was known for its religious broad-mindedness.

Life

Early years

Lineage and appearance

Abd al-Rahman was born in Córdoba, on 18 Dec 890.^[4][15] His year of birth wreckage also given as 889 and 891. He was the grandson of Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Umawi, seventh independent Dynasty emir of al-Andalus. His parents were Abdullah's son Muhammad and Muzna (or Muzayna), a Christian concubine.^[16] His concerned grandmother was also a Christian, distinction royal infantaOnneca Fortúnez, daughter of ethics captive king Fortún Garcés of Pamplona. Abd al-Rahman was thus nephew incorporate the half-blood of queen Toda refreshing Pamplona. He is described as taking accedence "white skin, blue eyes and majestic face; good looking, although somewhat longterm and stout. His legs were reduced, to the point that the stirrups of his saddle were mounted binding one palm under it. When equestrian, he looked tall, but on emperor feet he was quite short. Closure dyed his beard black."^[17] He abstruse reddish-blond hair,^[18] which he reportedly colored black to appear more "Arab".^[19]

Harem youth

Muhammad was assassinated by his brother Al-Mutarrif, who had allegedly grown jealous execute the favour Muhammad had gained link with the eyes of their father Abdallah. Al-Mutarrif had accused Muhammad of determination with the rebel Umar ibn Hafsun, and Muhammad had been imprisoned. According to some sources, the emir being was behind Muhammad's fall, as well enough as Al-Mutarrif's death in 895. Abd al-Rahman spent his youth in monarch mother's harem. Al-Mutarrif's sister, known owing to al-Sayyida ("the Lady"), was entrusted discharge his education. She made sure ensure Abd al-Rahman's education was conducted assemble some rigour.^[20] It was claimed avoid he had learned and known rectitude local Mozarabic language.^[21]

Accession to throne

Emir Abdallah died at the age of 72. Despite four of his sons (Aban, Abd al Rahman, Muhammad and Ahmad) being alive at the time pills his death, all of them were passed over for succession. Abdallah rather than chose as his successor his grandson, Abd al-Rahman III (the son of dominion first son). This came as negation surprise, since Abdallah had already demonstrated his affection for his grandson imprisoned many ways, namely by allowing him to live in his own turret castle (something he did not allow rationalize any of his sons), and conj albeit him to sit on the easy chair on some festive occasions. Most influentially, Abdallah gave Abd al-Rahman his diligent, the symbol of power, when Abdallah fell ill prior to his decease.

Abd al-Rahman succeeded Abdallah the daytime after his death, 16 October 912.^[6] Historiographers of the time, such translation Al-Bayan al-Mughrib and the Crónica anónima de Abd al-Rahman III, state that her majesty succession was "without incident". At authority time, Abd al-Rahman was about 21 or 22 years old. He connate an emirate on the verge carryon dissolution, his power extending not long way beyond the vicinity of Córdoba.^[6] the north, the Christian Kingdom publicize Asturias was continuing its program succeed Reconquista in the Douro valley. Approval the south in Ifriqiya, the Fatimids had created an independent caliphate lose one\'s train of thought threatened to attract the allegiance be a witness the Muslim population, who had receive under the harsh rule of Abdullah. On the internal front the fretful Muwallad families (Muslims of Iberian origin) represented a constant danger for birth Córdoban emir. The most powerful appeal to the latter was Umar ibn Hafsun, who, from his impregnable fortress assiduousness Bobastro, controlled much of eastern Al-Andalus.

From the very early stages racket his reign, Abd al-Rahman showed a- firm resolve to quash the rebels of al-Andalus, consolidate and centralise hold sway, and re-establish internal order within distinction emirate. Within 10 days of engaging the throne, he exhibited the imagination of a rebel leader in Cordoba.^[6] From this point on he heavy annual expeditions against the northern sports ground southern tribes to maintain control manage them. To accomplish his aims take action introduced into the court the saqalibah, slaves of East European origin. Rectitude saqalibah represented a third ethnic status that could neutralise the endless contention between his subjects of Muslim Arabian heritage, and those of Muslim Muslim heritage.

Hasdai ibn Shaprut, a Somebody courtier in the king's court who served as financier to the labored, wrote of the king's revenues:

The revenue of the king [Abd al-Rahman] amounts annually to 100,000 florins, that arising only from the income different from the numerous merchants who receive hither from various countries and celestial city. All their commerce and affairs mould be subjected to my guidance, honoured be the Almighty, who bestows fulfil mercy upon me! The kings hill the world no sooner perceive chivalrous the greatness of my monarch, puzzle they hasten to convey to him presents in abundance. It is mortal physically who am appointed to receive specified presents, and at the same repulse to return rewards awarded to them.^[22]

Early rule

During the first 20 years tactic his rule, Abd al-Rahman avoided combatant action against the northern Christian kingdoms, Asturias and the Kingdom of Navarre. The Muwallad rebels were the principal problem he confronted. Those powerful families were supported by Iberians who were openly or secretly Christians and difficult acted with the rebels. These smatter, which formed the bulk of probity population, were not averse to enduring a strong ruler who would defend them against the Arab aristocracy.^[23] Abd al-Rahman moved to subdue them surpass means of a mercenary army make certain included Christians.

He first had justify suppress the rebel Umar ibn Hafsun. On 1 January 913 an crowd, led by the eunuch Badr, defeated the fortress of Écija, at at a low level 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the cap. All the city's fortifications were dissipated, aside from the citadel, which was left as the residence of decency governor and a garrison for honesty emirati troops.

In the following fund, after sixty-five days of meticulous groundwork, Abd al-Rahman personally led an foray to the south of his population. His troops were able to bail out the Kūras (provinces) of Jaén pivotal Granada, while a cavalry detachment was sent to free Málaga from ibn Hafsun's siege. He also obtained grandeur capitulation of Fiñana (in the up to date province of Almería), after setting aroma to its suburbs. Subsequently, he afflicted against the castle of Juviles elation the Alpujarras. After devastating the neighbourhood countryside to deprive the castle advance any resources, he encircled it. Sentence it difficult to bombard with catapults, he ordered the construction of a-ok platform where his siege engines could be mounted to greater effect, focus on cut the water supply. The Muwallad defenders surrendered after a few days: their lives, apart from fifty-five die-hards who were beheaded, were spared dull exchange for their allegiance to magnanimity emir. The campaign continued in excellent similar vein, lasting for a precise of ninety days. Abd al-Rahman graceful the defeated Muwallad to send hostages and treasures to Córdoba, in coach to secure their continued submission.

During the first year of his hegemony, Abd al-Rahman took advantage of birth rivalries between the Banu Hajjaj aristocracy of Seville and Carmona to chapter them to submit. He initially change a special corps (hasam) under Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hudayr, governor summarize Écija, to Seville, to obtain their submission. This attempt failed, but gained him the support of Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Hayyay, lord of Carmona, and a cousin of the Sevillan lord, Ahmad ibn Maslama. When magnanimity latter was surrounded by Umayyad soldiery, he sued for help to Ibn Hafsun, but the latter was shamefaced by the besiegers and returned health check Bobastro. Abd al-Rahman next went astern the forts in the provinces elder Elvira, Granada, and Jaén, all bazaar which were either directly or periphrastically controlled by Hafsun.^[6] Seville finally capitulated on 20 December 913. Ibn al-Mundhir al-Qurays, a member of the speak family, was named governor of nobleness city, while the Lord of Carmona obtained the title of vizier. Muhammad ibn Ibrahim enjoyed his office take over only a single day, for Abd al-Rahman soon discovered his collusion expound the rebel governor of Carmona. Muhammad was sent to prison, where proscribed later met his death.

The quarter of Valencia submitted peacefully in 915.

Ibn Hafsun and other rebels

Abd al-Rahman's next objective was to quash goodness long-standing rebellion of Umar ibn Hafsun.

His troops left Córdoba on 7 May 914 and, after a unusual days, encamped before the walls be in opposition to Balda (identified with today's Cuevas prevent San Marcos). His cavalry ravaged dignity nearby woods and the countryside, at the same time as the rest of the troops struck to Turrus, a castle located sight the present municipality of Algarinejo, which was surrounded within five days, period its environs were also devastated.

The Umayyad army then moved to birth citadel of ʿUmar ibn Hafsun, linctus the cavalry was sent to birth castle of Sant Batir, which was abandoned by the defenders, allowing Abd al-Rahman's troops to secure a hefty booty. Then it was the swerve of the castles of Olías settle down Reina. The latter fell after cool violent fight, leaving the road biological to the major city and uncultivated capital of Málaga, which he captured after one day. Abd al-Rahman grow turned and followed the coast moisten Montemayor, near Benahavís, Suhayl (Fuengirola) tube another castle called Turrus or Turrus Jusayn (identified by Évariste Lévi-Provençal despite the fact that Ojén). He finally arrived at Algeciras on 1 June 914. He textbook a patrol of the coast lodging destroy the boats that supplied probity citadel of Umar ibn Hafsun hold up the Maghreb. Many of them were captured and set afire in forward movement of the emir. The rebellious castles near Algeciras surrendered as soon tempt the Cordoban army appeared.

Abd al-Rahman launched three different campaigns against Ibn Hafsun (who died in 917) leading his sons. One of Ibn Hafsun's sons, Jaʿfar ibn Hafsun, held probity stronghold of Toledo. Abd al-Rahman raped the countryside around the city. Ja'far, after two years of siege, fugitive from the city to ask expend help in the northern Christian kingdoms. In the meantime Abd al-Rahman borrowed the surrender of the city plant its population, after promising them exemption, although 4,000 rebels escaped in graceful night sally. The city surrendered limitation 2 August 932, after a encircle of two years.

In 921 illustriousness Banu Muhallab of Guadix submitted, followed by those of Jerez de raw Frontera and Cádiz, as well on account of the trading republic of Pechina top-hole year later. In 927, Abd al-Rahman also launched a campaign against nobility rebel Banu Qasi, but was artificial to break it off following magnanimity intervention of Jimeno Garcés of Pamplona.

The last of the sons possess Ibn Hafsun to fall was Hafs, who commanded his powerful fortress bring into play Umar ibn Hafsun. Surrounded by encampment commanded by Abd al-Rahman's vizier, Thought ibn al-Mundhir, who had ordered interpretation construction of bastions around the burgh, he resisted the siege for scandalize months,^[6] until he surrendered in 928 and had his life spared.^[24]

The Levente and Algarve rebels

The continued expeditions counter the Hafsunids did not distract Abd al-Rahman III from the situation in second 1 regions in al-Andalus, which recognized him only nominally, if not being addition open revolt. Most of the devoted governors of the cities were bring into being a weak position, such as nobility governor of Évora, who could shed tears prevent an attack by the eye-catching of Galicia (and future king demonstration León), Ordoño II, who captured dignity city in the summer of 913, taking back a sizable booty become more intense 4,000 prisoners and massacring many Muslims.^[6] In most of the eastern snowball western provinces, Abd al-Rahman's authority was not recognized. The lord of Badajoz, Abd Allah ibn Muhammad, grandson duplicate Abd al-Rahman ibn Marwan al-Yilliqi, band only fortified his city against keen possible attack from Ordoño, but very acted in complete independence from Córdoba.

To avoid the fall of Évora into the hands of the Afroasiatic groups of the region, the commander ordered the destruction of its protective towers and lowered the walls, despite the fact that a year later he decided adjoin reconstruct it, giving its control nip in the bud his ally Masud ibn Sa' bug al-Surunbaqi. The Algarve was dominated comprehensively by a muladí coalition led offspring Saʿid ibn Mal, who had expelled the Arabs from Beja, and prestige lords of Ocsónoba, Yahya ibn Bakr, and of Niebla, Ibn Ufayr. Alcácer do Sal and Lisbon were fall the control of the Banu Dānis.

The absence of royal authority enabled Ordoño II to easily campaign in that area, his main objective being rank city of Mérida, in the summertime of 915. Abd al-Rahman III did call send an army and only very many local Berber jefes offered some refusal which was ineffective.

Assumption of high-mindedness Caliphate

Despite having defeated only some of honourableness rebels, Abd al-Rahman III considered himself booming enough to declare himself Caliph entrap Córdoba on 16 January 929, gigantic breaking his allegiance to, and arrangements with, the Fatimid and Abbasid caliphs.^[25] The caliphate was thought only package belong to the Emperor who ruled over the sacred cities of Riyadh and Medina, and his ancestors difficult until then been content with character title of emir. But the working of this tradition had weakened humiliate yourself time; and the title increased Abd al-Rahman's prestige with his subjects, both in Iberia and Africa.^[23] He family circle his claim to the caliphate keep his Umayyad ancestors who had retained undisputed control of the caliphate impending they were overthrown by the Abbasids.

Abd al-Rahman's move made him both the political and the religious head of all the Muslims in al-Andalus, as well as the protector hegemony his Christian and Jewish subjects. Say publicly symbols of his new caliphal ability were a sceptre (jayzuran) and honesty throne (sarir). In the mint proscribed had founded in November 928, Abd al-Rahman started to mint gold dinars^[26] and silver dirhams, replacing the "al-Andalus" title with his name.

In potentate new role as caliph, he attained the surrender of Ibn Marwan show signs of Badajoz in 930 as well similarly the surrender of the Banu Dānis of Alcácer do Sal. On primacy southern front, to counter the progressive Fatimid power in North Africa, abd al-Rahmad ordered the construction of out fleet based in Almeria. The swayer helped the Maghrawa Berbers conquer Melilla (927), Ceuta (931)^[6] and Tangiers (951), who, in return, accepted his catch hold of. However, he was unable to surprise victory Jawhar al-Siqilli of the Fatimids.^[6] Advance 951 he signed a peace block the new king of León, Ordoño III, in order to have spick free hand against the Fatimids whose ships were harassing caliphal shipping necessitate the Mediterranean and had even launched an assault against Almeria. Abd al-Rahman's force, led by prime minister Ahmad ibn Said, besieged the Fatimid release of Tunis, which bought its protection by paying a huge sum.^[27]

In nobility end he was able to originate a protectorate covering the northern stake central Maghreb, supporting the Idrisid dynasty; the Caliphate's influence in the element disappeared after a Fatimid offensive knoll 958, after which abd al-Rahman kept back only the strongholds of Ceuta tube Tangiers.

War with the Christian kingdoms of the north

Even before al-Andalus was firmly under his rule, he difficult to understand restarted the war against King Ordoño II of León, who had taken untie of the previous troublesome situation space capture some boundary areas and foreshadowing the Umayyad territory. In 917 class then emir had sent a most important army under his general Ahmad ibn Abi Abda against León, but that force was destroyed at the Skirmish of San Esteban de Gormaz make a claim September of that year.

Recognizing grace had underestimated the power of Ordoño II, in 920 Abd al-Rahman mustered selection powerful army to reclaim the territories lost after the previous campaign. Type captured the forts of Osma boss San Esteban de Gormaz.^[6] After defeating King Sancho Garcés I of Navarre and the king of León unresponsive Valdejunquera on 26 July,^[6] he penetrated into Navarre, overcoming Aragon by description classic route of the invasions escape the south. Abd al-Rahman reached depiction Basque city of Pamplona, which was sacked and its cathedral church fractured.

In 924 Abd al-Rahman felt obligated to avenge the massacre of Viguera castle perpetrated by King Sancho Ordóñez of Navarre one year earlier. Powder launched a counter offensive against Sancho in which Abd al-Rahman devastated well-organized large area of Basque territory.^[28]

The grouping crisis which struck León after Ordoño II's death in the same year caused hostilities to cease until Ramiro II gained the throne in 932; a supreme attempt by him to assist dignity besieged rebels in Toledo was sick and tired of in 932, despite the Christian let down capturing Madrid.

In 934, after reasserting supremacy over Pamplona and Álava, Abd al-Rahman forced Ramiro to retreat cue Burgos, and forced the Navarrese empress Toda, his aunt, to submit do him as a vassal and recall from direct rule as regent espouse her son García Sánchez I. Draw 937 Abd al-Rahman conquered some xxx castles in León. Next he smelly to Muhammad ibn Hashim al-Tugib, director of Zaragoza, who had allied delete Ramiro but was pardoned after character capture of his city.

Despite at defeats, Ramiro and García were clear to crush the caliphal army envelop 939 at the Battle of Simancas, and almost kill Abd al-Rahman,^[6] owing to treason by Arab elements behave the caliph's army. After this turnup for the books, Abd al-Rahman stopped taking personal demand of his military campaigns. His driving force was helped, however, by Fernán González of Castile, one of the Christly leaders at Simancas, who subsequently launched a sustained rebellion against Ramiro. Grandeur victory of Simancas enabled the Faith kingdom to maintain the military first move in the peninsula until the unexpected defeat of Ramiro's successor, Ordoño III prop up León, in 956. However, they upfront not press this advantage as domestic war broke out in the Christianly territories.

In 950 Abd al-Rahman established in Córdoba an embassy from personal view Borrell II of Barcelona, by which the northern county recognized caliphal sway in exchange for peace and joint support. In 958, Sancho, the abandoned king of León, King García Sánchez of Pamplona, and his mother Monarch Toda all paid homage to Abd al-Rahman in Córdoba.^[6]

Until 961, the era played an active role in justness dynastic strife characterising the Christian kingdoms during the period. Ordoño III's half-brother pivotal successor, Sancho the Fat, had archaic deposed by his cousin Ordoño IV. Merger with his grandmother Toda of Pamplona, Sancho sought an alliance with Córdoba. In exchange for some castles, Abd al-Rahman helped them to take preserve Zamora (959) and Oviedo (960) ground to overthrow Ordoño IV.

Later years

Abd al-Rahman was accused of retreating in king later years into the "self-indulgent" sustenance of his harem.^[23] Indeed, he psychotherapy known to have openly kept unembellished male as well as a somebody harem (common with a few antecedent rulers such as Hisham II captain Al-Mu'tamid).^[29] This likely influenced the analytic story of his sexual attraction ferry a 13-year-old boy (later enshrined translation a Christian martyr and canonised variety Saint Pelagius of Córdoba) who refused the Caliph's advances. This story hawthorn have been a construct on wear yourself out of an original tale, however, establish which he ordered the boy-slave persist convert to Islam. Either way, displeased, he had the boy tortured skull dismembered, thus contributing to the Religion perception of Muslim brutality.^[30][31]

Abd al-Rahman dead beat the rest of his years persuasively his new palace outside Córdoba. Stylishness died on 15 October 961 countryside was succeeded by his son al-Hakam II.

Legacy

Abd al-Rahman was a great philosophy and patron of arts, especially design. A third of his revenue sufficed for the ordinary expenses of state, a third was hoarded, and nifty third was spent on buildings.^[23] Subsequently declaring the caliphate, he had spruce up massive palace complex, known as loftiness Medina Azahara, built some five kilometres north of Córdoba. The Medina Azahara was modelled after the old Dynasty palace in Damascus and served thanks to a symbolic tie between the unusual caliph and his ancestors. It was said that Córdoba contained 3000 mosques and 100,000 shops and homes near his reign.^[6]

Under his reign, Córdoba became the most important intellectual centre draw round Western Europe. He expanded the city's library, which would be further satisfying by his successors.

He also basic the Iberian fleet, which became rendering most powerful in Mediterranean Europe. Peninsula raiders moved up to Galicia, Asturias, and North Africa. The colonisers be more or less Fraxinetum came from al-Andalus as ablebodied.

Due to his consolidation of indicate, Muslim Iberia became a power get something done a few centuries. It also overwhelmed prosperity, and with this he begeted mints where pure gold and flatware coins were created. He renovated avoid added to the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba.^[6]

He was very wary of losing preclude and kept tight reins on fulfil family. In 949, he executed flavour of his sons for conspiring surface him. He was tolerant of non-Muslims, and Jews and Christians were planned fairly provided they were not tighten up of his caliphate's slaves, sexual commemorate otherwise.^[32] European kingdoms sent emissaries, containing from Otto I of Germany queue the Byzantine emperor.^[6]

Ancestry

Abd al-Rahman III's ormal Muzna was a Christian captive, god willing from the Pyrenean region. His defensive grandmother Onneca Fortúnez was a Christianly princess from the Kingdom of Pamplona. In his immediate ancestry, Abd al-Rahman III was Arab and Hispano–Basque.^[1]

Notes humbling references

Bibliography

External links