Episode 71: Al Mu’tazz, kill or be killed

Instead of bringing about a measure of peace, the end of the civil war signaled a return to the anarchy that had preceded it. The new caliph was restricted by the same men whose influence had checked his predecessor’s. Furthermore, by accepting the role of a puppet, al Musta’in had sullied the Abbasid name and done irreparable damage to the caliph’s authority in the eyes of the umma, and more critically, the troops. Also, did I mention that the caliphate was broke?

Glossary

• Al Mu’tazz: today’s unfortunate protagonist went down in history as the first caliph to be tortured to death. He was only 22 years old. His underwhelming tenure was defined by the many problems facing the state, he didn’t really contribute very much. Despite his shortcomings, his end still feels vaguely tragic. 
• Al Mu’ayyad: al Mu’tazz’s younger brother and heir, he was tortured and killed by his brother in the summer of 866, just months after al Mu’tazz was made caliph. The transgression used to justify his arrest was a bribe of 5,000 dinar he allegedly received from one of the Turkish leaders.  
• Talha ibn il Mutawakkil: the general who led the Turkish armies of Samarra’ was an older brother of the caliph, and like their other brother al Mu’ayyad, he was also arrested in June 866. He was saved by his military connections, and al Mu’tazz was warned not to harm him or else he’d be seen to have taken sides in the intra-Turkish feuds. Talha’s exile to Wasit was meant to be harsh as the city was centered around its military camp. His allies secured his removal to Basra, which turned out to be quite wretched, and so they moved him once again to Baghdad, where he lived comfortably.
• Al Musta’in: the previous caliph only survived seven months into his successor’s reign. He must have known the end was neigh when he was asked to stay in Iraq. He surprised hi warden by choosing Basra as a location for exile since the city had deteriorated greatly. He dramatically justified his choice by saying it mattered little how bitter life in Basra was, for nothing could ever compare to the bitterness of losing the caliphate. He was about thirty three years old when he was assassinated. 
• Waseef: we don’t know what year al Mu’tasim bought Waseef from the Baghdadi family who owned him, and employed him as a smith. His association with the Abbasid raised him from those humble beginnings to make him one of the most important men in the caliphate for decades. His connections in Samarra were sturdy enough to ensure his son became a considerable power after him.
• Little Bugha: another powerful figure raised from obscurity by al Mu’tasim, this general proved savvy until his confusing end in 868, when he comes off as both unacceptably powerful and hopelessly lost.
• Salih ibn Waseef: the son of Waseef married little Bugha’s daughter and thus became the leader of a large chunk of their combined following. He was young, brash, and out to get al Mu’tazz.
• Baykabak: one of the new Turkish leaders. He played a prominent role during the anarchy, but also numbered among its victims. His most enduring legacy was his appointment of Ahmad ibn Tulun as governor of Egypt. In short order, ibn Tulun will manage to become the real power in the west, and his dynasty will conquer Syria and even face-off against the Byzantines for a while. Baykabak; like Baykajor, Seema, Muzahim, and many other leaders of Samarra, will be forgotten.
• Musa ibn Bugha: the son of big Bugha was a capable general in his own right, and like his father he eschewed court politics for the duties of the battlefield. He established strong ties with Talha during the fitna, something we’ll have more to say about soon.
• Mohammad ibn Abdallah ibn Tahir: this governor of Baghdad did a great job during his tenure. He was appointed to the role by al Mutawakkil back in 851 and the city flourished under his care, at least until the fitna in 865. Its aftermath was just as bitter, and al Mu’tazz continued to hold a grudge against the city and its governor for their support of his rival cousin al Musta’in.
• Ahmad ibn Isra’il: the caliph’s tutor was a constant advisor, and al Mu’tazz appointed him as his treasurer and vizier as soon as he got the chance. Ibn Isra’il played a weak hand very strongly and managed to become a thorn in the side of the Turks, which is exactly what al Mu’tazz needed of him. It cost him his life after the thuggish Salih ibn Waseef came to power, and he and two other administrators were arrested and dispossessed of their assets.