Abu'l-Qasim Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abu'l-Qasim Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi
|
|
|---|---|
| Died | 13 July 982 Capo Colonna |
| Allegiance | Emirate of Sicily (Fatimid Caliphate) |
| Years of service | 23 June 970 – 13 July 982 |
| Commands held | Emir of Sicily |
| Relations | al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Kalbi (father), Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi (brother) |
Abu'l-Qasim Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi was an important leader, the third Emir (ruler) of Sicily. The Byzantines called him Bolkasimos. He led Sicily from June 23, 970, until he died in a battle on July 13, 982.
Contents
Who Was Abu'l-Qasim?
Long ago, in 947, a leader named al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Kalbi was sent to Sicily. His job was to stop a rebellion there. He ended up starting his own family rule, known as the Kalbids.
How Abu'l-Qasim Became Emir
His son, Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Kalbi, became the next ruler in 954. In 969, Ahmad had to go back to North Africa. He was needed to help stop another rebellion. For a short time, one of Ahmad's trusted helpers, Ya'ish, was in charge of Sicily. Then, in 970, Abu'l-Qasim, Ahmad's brother, became the new leader.
Abu'l-Qasim's Rule
Abu'l-Qasim was a strong military leader. He led many expeditions into Byzantine Italy. These were lands controlled by the Byzantine Empire.
Raids in Italy (976)
In the spring of 976, Abu'l-Qasim launched a raid. His first stop was the city of Messina. He found it empty when he arrived. He then moved on to Apulia. He collected tribute (money or goods) from Cosenza. He sent his brother to raid the nearby countryside.
Soon after, he returned to Sicily. But in the summer of the same year, he crossed back to mainland Italy. He quickly made the city of St. Agatha pay tribute. He then captured and destroyed Taranto. He sent one army to Otranto. He himself attacked Gravina. After these actions, he went back to Muslim lands. He brought hundreds of captives with him.
The Battle of Stilo (982)
In May 982, Abu'l-Qasim went back to Italy. He hoped to fight the German emperor Otto II. Otto's army was moving forward. Near Rossano Calabro, Abu'l-Qasim saw the German army. He realized it was much bigger than he thought.
He tried to retreat back to Sicily. But Otto's army caught up with him. This happened near Capo Colonna. In the battle, called the Battle of Stilo, Abu'l-Qasim's forces were outnumbered. However, they managed to surround and defeat the German army. This was thanks to a very strong cavalry charge. Emperor Otto himself escaped by swimming to a Greek merchant ship. Sadly, Abu'l-Qasim was killed during the fight.
See Also
- Emirate of Sicily
- Kalbids
- Battle of Stilo
Sources
- Lilie, Ralph-Johannes (2013). "Prosopographie der mittelbyzantinischen Zeit Online. Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Nach Vorarbeiten F. Winkelmanns erstellt".. Berlin and Boston: De Gruyter.
