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Harun al-Rashid (763 - 809 CE)
Name: Harun al-Rashid (aka Haroun ar-Rashid, Harun al-Raschid or Haroon al Rasheed) Born: Baghdad, Iraq, 763 (other sources say 764 or 766), son of Caliph al-Mahdi and al-Khazuryan, a former slave girl Died: 24 March, 809, Khurasan, northeastern Iran Notable: Fifth caliph during the zenith of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, immortalized in several of the 1001 Arabian Nights Tales, together with his one-time ally and lover, Ja'far. Factoids: His name translates into English as "Aaron the Just." His grandfather, al-Mashur, founded the city of Baghdad in 762. Was educated at court by Yahya, the vizier and a member of the powerful Barmakid family. Yahya's son, Ja'far, became the friend and lover of al-Rashid. First distinguished himself when he was only 18 by repelling an attempt by the Byzantines to reclaim lost territory in the Levant. He pushed the Byzantine armies all the way to Constantinople and laid seige to the city, relenting only after the Empress Irene agreed to a yearly tribute of 70,000 gold pieces. For this he was appointed governor of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Syria and Tunisia. Became Caliph on 14 Sept., 786, following the death of his older brother al-Hadi, who ruled as Caliph for less than a year following the death of their father. Many believe his mother, al-Khazuryan, arranged the death of al-Hadi, who had been born to another of al-Mahdi's wives. Allowed Yahya to appoint many members of the Barmakid family to administrative positions, and gave provinces increasing autonomy in exchange for annual tribute, a practice which enriched the treasury but weakened the empire. Was a great patron of the arts, and invested huge funds into making Baghdad the artistic and cultural center of the Arab world. He founded academies and universities throughout the empire, where many Greek and Sanskrit classics were translated into Arabic. Many of these preserved texts would be discovered by Christian crusaders and lay the seeds for the Renaissance in Europe. His wife, Zubaydah, had been a member of the Ismaili faith. Many believe she remained a secret practitioner, and warned other Ismailis of pogroms al-Rashid made against the faith. She oversaw many great civic works throughout the empire, which al-Rashid funded. Established diplomatic relations with Charlemagne and the Tang Dynasty emperors in China. First Arab ships to visit China were dispatched during al-Rashid's reign. Established paper factory at Baghdad. al-Rashid arranged for Ja'far to marry his sister, but forbade his new brother-in-law from visiting his new wife's bedchamber. Appears as a fictional character in the Arabian Nights tales, in which he travels incognito togtether with Ja'far among his subjects, having numerous adventures. In 803, following the death of his mother, al-Rashid initiated a purge of the Barmakids, having many imprisoned and others, including Ja'far, executed, and their lands and property confiscated. While signs exist of a plot by the Barmakids to seize control of the caliphate, some wonder if Ja'far's fathering children with al-Rashid's sister after the jealous caliph had forbidden Ja'far to visit his wife's bedchamber was not also a factor in these actions. because of his friendship with the Barmakids and several poems he had written in their defense, Abu Nuwas, the famous poet and tutor/lover of al-Rashid's son al-Amin, was forced to flee Baghdad and live in exile until after al-Rashid's death. In what came to be known as "the Mecca documents," al-Rashid arranged for the empire to be divided between his sons al-Amin and al-Mamun. He named al-Amin as next in line for the caliphate, with al-Mamun inheriting upon the death of his brother. If either brother violated the terms of these documents, he would forfeit his right to the throne. This clause would later lead to war between the two siblings. Died of an unknown illness shortly after quelling a rebellion in northeastern Iran. He was planning a campaign against the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus, who had refused to continue paying the tribute exacted from his predecessor, Irene. For further reading see Harun al-Rashid and the World of the Thousand and One Nights, by Andre Clot, translated by John Howe, published by New Amsterdam Books, 1990. Who Was Caliph Harun al-Rashid? Encyclopedia of the Orient: al-Rashid Abu Yusuf's Letter to Caliph Harun al-Rashid The Gift of Harun al-Rashid, by W.B. Yeats 1001 Arabian Nights: Harun al-Rashid and the Arab Girl 1001 Arabian Nights: Harun al_Rashid and the Slave Girl and the Imam Abu Yusuf 1001 Arabian Nights: Harun al_Rashid and the Damsel and Abu Nowas
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