Abu Tahir Isma'il (Arabic: أبو طاهر إسماعيل; born January 914 – died 18 March 953), known as al-Mansur Billah (Arabic: المنصور بالله, romanized: The Victor through God), was an important ruler. He was the third caliph of the Fatimid Caliphate in Ifriqiya (modern-day Tunisia). He ruled from 946 until his death.

Al-Mansur became ruler during a very difficult time. He had to face a huge rebellion led by Abu Yazid. This rebellion threatened to destroy the Fatimid government. Al-Mansur successfully put down the revolt. He brought stability back to the Fatimid lands.

Becoming Caliph: Al-Mansur's Early Life and Rise to Power
Al-Mansur's Reign: Facing Challenges and Restoring Order
Death and Legacy: Al-Mansur's Enduring Impact
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Becoming Caliph: Al-Mansur's Early Life and Rise to Power

The future al-Mansur was born Isma'il in January 914. His birthplace was the palace city of Raqqada, near Kairouan. His father was Muhammad al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah, the second Fatimid caliph. His mother was Karima, who had been a slave.

Isma'il was not his father's oldest son. His older brother, al-Qasim, died before their father. On 12 April 946, al-Qa'im officially named Isma'il as his heir. He gave him the royal name al-Mansur Billah. When al-Qa'im died on 17 May, al-Mansur became the new caliph.

Some historians believe al-Mansur's rise to power was a bit tricky. They think it involved a plan led by a powerful palace official named Jawdhar. Al-Mansur's mother, Karima, and his wet nurse, Salaf, also helped him. They supported him against his half-brothers.

Al-Mansur's Reign: Facing Challenges and Restoring Order

When al-Mansur became caliph, the Fatimid Caliphate was in great danger. A huge rebellion led by Abu Yazid had taken over much of Ifriqiya. The rebels were even threatening the capital city, al-Mahdiya. Al-Mansur had to take on big responsibilities right away.

He proved to be a very capable leader. Both Fatimid and anti-Fatimid writers praised him. They said he was smart, spoke well, and was brave in battle. He quickly showed his leadership skills.

While the rebellion was still going on, al-Mansur kept his father's death a secret. All official business was still done in al-Qa'im's name. Isma'il acted only as his father's chosen heir. He only publicly used the name al-Mansur after the rebellion was fully crushed.

Fighting the Rebellion: The Battle for Kairouan

Even before his father died, al-Mansur sent help to the city of Sousse. It was under siege by Abu Yazid's forces. On 26 May, the soldiers in Sousse, helped by troops from the south and sea, broke the siege. This forced Abu Yazid to retreat towards Kairouan.

Abu Yazid found Kairouan's gates closed against him. Al-Mansur met with leaders from Kairouan. He promised to forgive them if they rejoined the Fatimids. On 28 May, al-Mansur's army, led by him, camped south of the city.

Al-Mansur had to set an example for his soldiers. They were Kutama Berbers who didn't like digging ditches. He picked up a spade and started digging himself. This convinced them to build defenses for the camp. This was a good idea, as Abu Yazid attacked the camp on 5 June. The Fatimids barely managed to push him back.

Al-Mansur played a key role in the fight. His royal umbrella was clearly visible, showing where the troops should rally. The two armies stayed near Kairouan for two months. They had many small battles. Abu Yazid tried to take the city gates. But al-Mansur had set up small forts to protect them.

Al-Mansur slowly gathered more soldiers from other parts of the Fatimid empire. Abu Yazid's support began to shrink. His followers started leaving his camp. Finally, on 13 August, the Fatimids attacked the rebel camp. Abu Yazid's troops ran away.

This victory was very important for al-Mansur. Abu Yazid had asked for help from the Spanish Umayyads. An Umayyad fleet was sent to help him. But when their commander heard about the Fatimid victory, he turned back.

Al-Mansur wanted to make peace with the people of Kairouan. He chose a respected local judge instead of an Isma'ili one. He also appointed a military officer as governor, not a Kutama. He removed all taxes for two years. He gave much of the captured wealth to the city's poor.

Al-Mansur also ordered a new palace city to be built. It was named al-Mansuriya, near Kairouan. This showed his victory and brought the caliph's home closer to the old capital. While in Kairouan, al-Mansur met with an envoy from the Byzantine Empire. They likely discussed renewing a peace agreement.

Chasing Abu Yazid: The Final Hunt

While al-Mansur was in Kairouan, his general, al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Kalbi, recaptured cities in the north. This secured the caliph's northern border. Al-Mansur then left Kairouan on 24 October to pursue Abu Yazid.

Abu Yazid fled south through the desert. Al-Mansur followed him to Biskra. But his guides warned him that the route was too dangerous for an army. When al-Mansur learned that Abu Yazid was hiding in the Jabal Salat mountains, he led his army north.

Abu Yazid attacked the Fatimid army on 9 December but was defeated. Many local tribes then declared their loyalty to al-Mansur. Abu Yazid attacked again near Msila but was beaten back. Al-Mansur chased him into the mountains. Abu Yazid fled to the desert again. Al-Mansur tried to follow but had to turn back due to the harsh winter.

Al-Mansur then went north to the lands of the Sanhaja Berbers. Their leader, Ziri ibn Manad, pledged his loyalty to al-Mansur and was rewarded. Al-Mansur fell ill with a fever but recovered.

Abu Yazid had settled in a ruined fort near Msila. Al-Mansur ordered more Kutama soldiers to join him. The Zenata Berbers also pledged their loyalty. This meant Abu Yazid was cut off from supplies. On 6 March, al-Mansur attacked Abu Yazid's fort. Abu Yazid was wounded and barely escaped.

The End of the Rebellion: Siege of Kiyana

Abu Yazid fled to the Hodna Mountains. Al-Mansur chased him tirelessly. Abu Yazid's camp was captured and burned. He found refuge in the fortress of Kiyana. Al-Mansur waited for more soldiers before attacking. He systematically took control of the surrounding mountains. This prevented Abu Yazid from escaping again.

On 26 April, al-Mansur moved against Kiyana. The fortress was on a steep rock. Siege machines were brought in by sea and carried over the mountains. The defenders tried to break out but were always pushed back.

On 14 August 947, the final attack on Kiyana began. Al-Mansur himself fought in the battle. The fortress was breached, and the last defenders retreated to a tower. Al-Mansur offered a pardon if they handed over Abu Yazid, but they refused.

The next day, the besieged tried to escape. Abu Yazid managed to get out but fell into a ravine and was captured. He was badly wounded and died four days later, on 19 August. His skin was preserved and shown in public as al-Mansur returned home.

Abu Yazid's defeat was a turning point for the Fatimid dynasty. It allowed them to recover and grow stronger. The Fatimids presented Abu Yazid as a 'False Messiah'. They said his rebellion was an apocalyptic event that their first caliph, al-Mahdi, had foreseen. This made al-Mahdiya a refuge for the dynasty.

On the day Abu Yazid died, al-Mansur declared himself the true caliph. He publicly took his royal title, al-Manṣūr bi-Naṣr Allāh, meaning 'The Victor with the Help of God'.

Strengthening Fatimid Rule in the Maghreb

As the army returned to Msila, they were attacked by some Zenata who had not submitted. This was the last major uprising against Fatimid rule in the central Maghreb. Even Abu Yazid's most loyal followers soon surrendered.

One of the Jedars, ancient burial mounds visited by al-Mansur in Tahert

Al-Mansur planned to return east. But he heard that Tahert had been lost. The city had been taken by a rebel who had escaped to the Umayyad court in Spain. This rebel, Hamid ibn Yasal, had returned and taken Tahert for the Umayyads.

Al-Mansur left Msila on 7 September to retake the city. When he arrived on the 20th, Hamid had already sailed back to Spain. In revenge, al-Mansur had the bones of Hamid's relatives dug up and burned. He also burned the mosque's pulpit, which had been used to pray for his Umayyad rival.

While in Tahert, al-Mansur became very ill. He almost died. After recovering, he led an expedition against the Luwata Berbers. But they retreated into the desert, so he couldn't achieve much. The caliph also visited some interesting places, like waterfalls and ancient burial mounds called Jedars. He even had an old inscription translated for him.

He left a governor in Tahert and began his journey back east on 2 January 948. Eleven days later, he entered his new capital, al-Mansuriya, in triumph. On 14 February, he left al-Mahdiya to fight Abu Yazid's son, Fadl. Fadl was still resisting in the Aurès Mountains.

The campaign was also meant to boost the reputation of al-Mansur's chosen heir, Ma'add. Ma'add (who would become al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah) distinguished himself in battle. The army returned to al-Mansuriya on 28 March. Soon after, the court moved to al-Mahdiya, as the new capital was not yet finished.

In al-Mahdiya, al-Mansur celebrated Eid al-Fitr on 13 April. He publicly said that his victory over the 'False Messiah' showed God's favor. He said God wanted to "renew and strengthen our dynasty." As a sign of his new confidence, al-Mansur released twenty members of the Aghlabid dynasty. They had been prisoners since 909. They were given gifts and allowed to leave for Egypt.

Later, Abu Yazid's son Fadl was killed. His other sons, Yazid and Ayyub, also tried to continue the fight but were soon killed too.

Sicily and Relations with Other Powers

On 25 April 947, a revolt in Palermo, Sicily, removed the Fatimid governor. The rebels felt the governor was too weak against the Byzantines. The Byzantines had stopped paying tribute, which angered the Sicilian Arab clans.

To handle the revolt, al-Mansur chose al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Kalbi. He had done well in putting down Abu Yazid's rebellion. Al-Hasan was appointed the new governor of Sicily. In January 948, he brought a Byzantine general to al-Mansuriya. The Byzantines likely wanted to renew their peace agreement.

In spring 948, al-Hasan al-Kalbi arrived in Sicily with a fleet and army. The rebels quickly lost support. The city leaders surrendered Palermo to him without a fight. Al-Kalbi imprisoned the rebel leaders. This quick return of Fatimid control led to a new three-year peace with Byzantium. Al-Hasan al-Kalbi became the first of the Kalbid governors of Sicily. They ruled the island for the Fatimids until 1053.

The Great Mosque of Kairouan

In early September 948, al-Mansuriya became the official caliphal residence. The state mint and treasury stayed in al-Mahdiya. Since the mosque in the new capital was not finished, al-Mansur prayed and held the Friday prayer at the Great Mosque of Kairouan. He was the only Fatimid caliph to do so.

The peace with Byzantium did not last long. In 949, the Byzantines and Umayyads seemed to agree to work against the Fatimids. The Byzantines attacked Fatimid areas in southern Italy. In 951, the Umayyad fleet captured Tangier. This gave them another base to influence tribes in the western Maghreb.

Al-Hasan al-Kalbi asked for more troops from Ifriqiya. Al-Mansur personally oversaw the preparations in Tunis. He sent an army of 10,500 men to Italy. In May 951, the Fatimids landed near Rhegion. They attacked Gerace but left after receiving tribute. The same happened at Cassano.

Al-Mansur was angry at his commanders for being too cautious. He ordered them to attack again the next spring. On 7 May, the Fatimids heavily defeated the Byzantine army near Gerace. They then sacked Gerace and Petracucca. As a result, the Byzantines offered to renew the peace agreement and pay tribute. Al-Hasan al-Kalbi built a mosque in Reggio to mark his success.

Death and Legacy: Al-Mansur's Enduring Impact

Al-Mansur was often very ill during his reign. But he continued to be active in government. Unlike his father, he often appeared in public events and festivals. His last public appearance was on 19 February 953. He led the ceremonies for Eid al-Fitr in Kairouan. He died on 19 March, leaving his rule to his son Ma'ad. Ma'ad became caliph as al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah.

Al-Mansur's life was seen as an example of a strong ruler who faced many difficulties. His victory over Abu Yazid was very popular with the people of Kairouan. He was the first Fatimid caliph to gain real loyalty from them.

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A gold coin (dinar) from al-Mansur's time.
One of the Jedars, ancient burial mounds visited by al-Mansur in Tahert.
The Great Mosque of Kairouan, where al-Mansur prayed.

Regnal titles
al-Mansur bi-Nasr Allah Fatimid dynasty Born: January 914 Died: 19 March 953
Preceded by al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah	Fatimid Caliph 17 May 946 – 18 March 953	Succeeded by al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah
Shī‘a Islam titles
Preceded by al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah	13th Isma'ili Imam 17 May 946 – 18 March 953	Succeeded by al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah

al-Mansur Billah facts for kids

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