Axataf facts for kids

Axataf was an important leader, known as a Qaid (which means a military commander or governor), in the city of Seville. This was a long time ago, in the year 1248, when the city was being taken over by Ferdinand III of Castile. You might see his name spelled in different ways, like Saqqaf or Chetaf, but Axataf is the most common.

Axataf's Role in Seville's History

After a leader named Ibn Hud died in 1238, Seville became part of the Almohad Empire again and followed the Caliph Arraxid. A caliph was a very important religious and political leader.

When Arraxid died in 1242, his brother, Ali ben Idris Asaid Almotadidbila, became the new caliph.

Changes in Loyalty

A year later, the governor of Ceuta decided not to follow the Moroccan caliph anymore. Instead, he chose to follow the Sultanate of Tunis. A sultanate was a kingdom ruled by a sultan.

Soon after, the cities of Seville, Tarifa, and Jerez did the same thing. Abu Zakariya Yahya, who was the Sultan of Tunis, agreed to this. He sent a new governor to Seville.

A New Governor and an Alliance

However, the people of Seville did not like this new governor, so they forced him to leave in 1245. A local Sevillian leader named Bel Alchad took his place.

Bel Alchad was worried about two things:

• The reaction from the Tunisians.
• The Christian armies led by King Ferdinand III, who were getting closer.

Because of this, Bel Alchad decided to sign a peace agreement with King Ferdinand III that would last for one year.

Axataf Takes Charge

In March 1246, Axataf, who was the commander of the soldiers in Seville, killed Bel Alchad. This violent act ended the peace agreement with King Ferdinand III.

Since the agreement with Bel Alchad was over, King Ferdinand III turned his attention to Seville. He began to get ready to attack the city.

Axataf was then declared the military commander of Seville. He ruled the city along with a group of important nobles.

The Siege of Seville

However, Axataf and his council could not stop the attack by King Ferdinand III. This attack is known as the Siege of Seville. The city had to surrender to the Christian forces on November 23, 1248.

Axataf formally handed over the keys of the city to the Castilian king. King Ferdinand offered ships to the Moors (people from North Africa who lived in Spain) who had to leave Seville and wanted to go to Africa. Axataf used one of these ships to escape to Ceuta.

Axataf's End

Axataf was killed in November 1249. This happened because Al-Afazi, a leader who was against the Tunisians, ordered it.

See also

In Spanish: Axataf para niños