Mahdia campaign of 1087 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mahdia Campaign
Part of the Crusades
Pisan ships on a relief on the Tower of Pisa 12th century
Date August 1087 Location Mahdia, Tunis Result Pisan-Genoese victory Sack of Mahdia and Zawila
Belligerents
Pisa and Genoa Supported by Victor III	Zirid Emirate of Ifriqiya
Commanders and leaders
Ugo of Pisa  † Pantaleon of Amalfi	Tamim ibn Muizz
Strength
300-400 ships
Casualties and losses
	heavy extensively looted

The Mahdia campaign of 1087 was an attack on the North African city of Mahdia. This attack was carried out by ships from two powerful Italian trading cities: Genoa and Pisa. It happened in August 1087.

Mahdia was an important city in a region called Ifriqiya (modern-day Tunisia). It was the capital under the Fatimid rulers. Its location by the sea made it a good base for naval attacks. For example, Mahdia ships had attacked Genoa in 935.

After the Fatimids moved to Egypt, the Zirids took control of Ifriqiya. They were part of the Fatimid Caliphate until 1048. At that time, the Zirids decided to no longer follow the Fatimids' branch of Islam. In response, the Fatimids sent Arab tribes to Ifriqiya. This led to a lot of fighting and chaos. The region's farming suffered greatly. Coastal towns became more important for trade. They also became bases for pirates who attacked Christian ships.

Why the Attack Happened

The main reason for the attack was the actions of the Zirid ruler, Tamim ibn Muizz. He ruled from 1062 to 1108. Tamim's ships acted like pirates in the waters near Italy. He also got involved in fighting in Sicily against the Normans.

Tamim's Raids

In 1074, Tamim's forces attacked the coast of Calabria in southern Italy. They took many people as slaves. In 1075, they briefly captured the city of Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. Later, Tamim made a peace agreement with Roger I, a Norman leader. This agreement stopped Tamim from helping other Muslim rulers in Sicily.

These attacks by Tamim and other Arab pirates worried the Italian cities. Genoa and Pisa had growing trade businesses. These pirate raids threatened their ships and their money. This gave them a strong reason to attack the Zirid stronghold of Mahdia. Pisa had already taken military action before this. They briefly captured Bone (another North African city) in 1034. They also helped the Normans conquer Sicily in 1063.

The Campaign and Its Outcome

The attack on Mahdia was led by Hugh of Pisa. The city of Rome and the Genoese navy also provided military help. A nobleman from Amalfi, Pantaleone, might have also been involved. The whole effort had the support of Matilda of Tuscany, a powerful countess in Italy.

Historians believe that no cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were used. Neither Latin nor Arab records mention horses. This suggests that transporting horses over long distances was too difficult for the Italian cities at that time.

Victory and Loot

The combined forces successfully captured Mahdia. They burned the city's fleet of ships. They also forced Tamim to pay a large sum of money. This money was then shared between Pisa and Genoa.

The attackers could not hold onto the city. It was possibly offered to Roger I of Sicily. However, he refused because of the peace treaty he had made with Tamim earlier. A large part of the money gained was used to build the Cathedral in Pisa. It was also used to build a new church dedicated to St. Sixtus. Among the treasures taken might have been the Pisa Griffin. This is the largest known medieval Islamic metal sculpture. Tamim also seemed to have been forced to stop attacking Christians. He also had to release any captives he held.

Connection to the Crusades

Some historians, like Carl Erdmann, see the Mahdia raid as a direct step towards the First Crusade. The First Crusade happened eight years later. Erdmann believed the Mahdia campaign was "carried out entirely as a crusade." This is because it was done under the banner of St. Peter. It was also against a Muslim ruler who was portrayed as evil in the stories about the raid. Plus, Pope Victor III offered a special religious reward (an indulgence) to those who joined the campaign.

However, other historians, like Alasdair Grant, point out that mentions of the Pope's involvement are few and unclear. Even so, it can be argued that destroying Mahdia's naval forces helped the First Crusade succeed. It made it easier for supplies to reach the Crusader states by sea.

See also

In Spanish: Cruzada de Mahdía (1087) para niños