AL-MUTAMID (1074)

More complete name MUHAMMAD II AL-MU´TAMID.

Third and last member of the Abbadid dynasty of Seville and the epitome of the cultivated Muslim Spaniard of the Middle Ages -liberal, tolerant and a patron of the arts.

At the age of 13 he commanded a military expedition that had been sent against the city of Silves. The venture was successful and he was appointed governor of this and another district.

In 1069 his father died and al-Mutamid acceeded to the throne of Seville.

He was destined to rule in difficult times: neighbouring princes were resuming the inexorable advance that in time would bring all of Spain once again under Christian rule. Yet his first efforts were crowned with success.

In 1071 he conquered and annexed the principality of Córdoba although his rule was not effectively secured until 1078. During the same years he also brought the kingdom of Murcia under his rule.

But in 1085 the Alfonso VI, king of Leon and Castille, captured the city of Toledo. This was a crippling blow to Spanish Islam. Al-Mu´tamid had already been forced to pay tribute to Alfonso and when he dared to refuse a payment Alfonso invaded his kingdom and sacked various towns. Soon Alfonso also began making demands for territorial concessions.

Al-Mu´tamid recognized that he could not stay the Christian advance with his own resources and acting as leader of a number of Muslim princes, he reluctantly sought the aid of Yüsuf ibn Tashufin. The latter, as the reigning Almoravid sultan, had just conquered all of Morocco and had powerful military forces at his disposal.

In 1086 Yüsuf crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and at Zallaka inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Christian forces. Yet he had to return to Morocco before he could follow up his victory.

Al-Mutamid now had a respite from the Christian military pressure but soon found himself again unable to defen his borders.

This time he went in person to seek Yüsuf aid and in 1090 another Almoravid army invaded Spain. Now Yüsuf decided to carry on the jihad (holy war) in his own name and proceded to dethrone those who had invited him. Seville was captured and al-Mu´tamid was sent to Morocco as prisoner where he remained until his death.