Empire · 909–1171 · Northern Africa

Fatimid Caliphate

The Fatimids were an Ismaili Shia dynasty claiming descent from the Prophet's daughter Fatima. Supported by Kutama Berber tribesmen, Abdallah al-Mahdi proclaimed himself caliph in Tunisia in 909, challenging the Sunni Abbasids of Baghdad.

In 969 his descendant al-Mu'izz conquered Egypt, where his general founded Cairo, which became the new capital. At their height the Fatimids ruled North Africa, Egypt, Sicily, Syria, Palestine and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, growing rich from Red Sea and Mediterranean trade. They founded al-Azhar, one of the world's oldest universities. From the late 11th century the dynasty was weakened by military rivalries, famine, the loss of North Africa and Syria, and the Crusades. Saladin, their vizier, abolished the caliphate in 1171.

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Years

909–1171

Capital

Raqqada and Mahdia in Tunisia, then Cairo (from 973)

Greatest extent

1000, about 4.10 million km²

Region

Northern Africa

North Africa, Egypt, Sicily, the Levant and the Hejaz; Taagepera (1997) gives a larger c. 4.1M km² for 969, counting Saharan hinterlands; Taagepera (1997) and Turchin et al. (2006) give c. 4.1M km² for 969, counting nominal Saharan lands; c. 4.1M km² c. 969, including Saharan hinterlands (Taagepera 1997; Turchin, Adams & Hall 2006)