Ibrahim II of Aghlabids
Encyclopedia
Abu Is`haq Ibrahim II (died 23 October 902) was the ninth Emir
of the Aghlabids in Ifriqiya
(ruled 875–902)
He succeeded to the Emirate on the death of his brother Muhammad II
(864–875). Although he inherited a kingdom depopulated by the plague of 874, his reign was economically prosperous. In 876 he built a new palace, Ar-Raqqada, near Kairuan and sought to develop agriculture by building up the irrigation system.
Nevertheless, the start of the decline of the dynasty can be dated to his reign. Although the conquest of Sicily was almost completed with the fall of Syracuse
in 878, the Byzantines
drove the Muslims out of Bari
and Taranto
in Apulia
after a naval victory. Also, in 882 an attack by the Tulunids
of Egypt
had to be fought off and several Berber
revolts against the tyrannical rule of Ibrahim had to be put down. From 893 there began the missionary work of the Ismaili
under Abu 'Abdullah al-Shi'i amongst the Kutama
Berbers in Algeria
- this would eventually lead to the downfall of the Aghlabids and the rise of the Fatimids.
As unrest amongst the population against his tyrannical rule deepened, he was forced to abdicate by his son Abu l-Abbas Abdallah. Ibrahim went to Sicily to carry on the campaign against the Byzantines, and died of dysentery during an invasion of Calabria
.
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
of the Aghlabids in Ifriqiya
Ifriqiya
In medieval history, Ifriqiya or Ifriqiyah was the area comprising the coastal regions of what are today western Libya, Tunisia, and eastern Algeria. This area included what had been the Roman province of Africa, whose name it inherited....
(ruled 875–902)
He succeeded to the Emirate on the death of his brother Muhammad II
Muhammad II of Aghlabids
Muhammad II ibn Ahmad Abu al-Gharaniq was the eighth Emir of the Aghlabids in Ifriqiya He succeeded his uncle Ziyadat Allah II , inheriting from his predecessors a stable and prosperous state. An aesthete fond of wine and hunting, he felt able to devote himself to extravagance and displays of pomp...
(864–875). Although he inherited a kingdom depopulated by the plague of 874, his reign was economically prosperous. In 876 he built a new palace, Ar-Raqqada, near Kairuan and sought to develop agriculture by building up the irrigation system.
Nevertheless, the start of the decline of the dynasty can be dated to his reign. Although the conquest of Sicily was almost completed with the fall of Syracuse
Siege of Syracuse (877–878)
The Siege of Syracuse in 877–878 led to the fall of the city of Syracuse, the Roman/Byzantine capital of Sicily, to the Aghlabids. The Aghlabids had tried and failed to take the city soon after their initial landing on the island 50 years earlier...
in 878, the Byzantines
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
drove the Muslims out of Bari
Bari
Bari is the capital city of the province of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, and is well known as a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas...
and Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
in Apulia
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...
after a naval victory. Also, in 882 an attack by the Tulunids
Tulunids
The Tulunids were the first independent dynasty in Islamic Egypt , when they broke away from the central authority of the Abbasid dynasty that ruled the Islamic Caliphate during that time...
of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
had to be fought off and several Berber
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
revolts against the tyrannical rule of Ibrahim had to be put down. From 893 there began the missionary work of the Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
under Abu 'Abdullah al-Shi'i amongst the Kutama
Kutama
The Kutama were a powerful Berber tribe, in the region of Jijel , a member of the great Sanhaja confederation of the Maghrib and the armed body of the Fatimid Caliphate.-Origins of the Kutama:...
Berbers in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
- this would eventually lead to the downfall of the Aghlabids and the rise of the Fatimids.
As unrest amongst the population against his tyrannical rule deepened, he was forced to abdicate by his son Abu l-Abbas Abdallah. Ibrahim went to Sicily to carry on the campaign against the Byzantines, and died of dysentery during an invasion of Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
.