Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik facts for kids

Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik was an important Umayyad prince and general. He lived in the early 700s. He led many military campaigns. His main enemies were the Byzantine Empire and the Khazar Khaganate. Maslama became very famous for leading a huge attack on Constantinople. This was the capital city of the Byzantine Empire.

Who Was Maslama?

Maslama was the son of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who was a caliph (ruler) of the Umayyad Empire. He was also the half-brother of several future caliphs. These included al-Walid I, Sulayman, Yazid II, and Hisham. Maslama's mother was a slave, so he could not become caliph himself.

In 691, Maslama married al-Rabab, the daughter of a rebel leader named Zufar ibn al-Harith al-Kilabi. This marriage helped bring peace between the caliph and the rebel group.

Early Military Campaigns

Maslama first led a military campaign against the Byzantines in 705. This was an annual summer raid. His first big mission was in 707–708. He attacked the Byzantine city of Tyana in Asia Minor. This attack was to get revenge for a general who had been defeated. The siege was tough, but Maslama's army won. The city surrendered in 708.

Later that year, Maslama led another attack into Asia Minor. He defeated a Byzantine army near Amorium. In 709, he raided the region of Isauria.

Governor of Border Lands

In 709, Maslama became the military governor of Jazira, Armenia, and Adharbayjan. These areas were on the northwestern border of the Umayyad Empire. He also governed Jund Qinnasrin in northern Syria. This gave him control over the entire northwestern border.

From these positions, he launched more attacks against the Byzantines. He attacked Galatia and Amaseia in 712. He also captured Melitene in 714. Maslama was also the first to bring the Caliphate's power north of the Caucasus Mountains. This led to direct fighting with the Khazars. In 710, he marched his army to Derbent (called Bab al-Abwab). He captured and destroyed it in 714.

The Great Siege of Constantinople

The Arab attack on Constantinople, from the Manasses Chronicle

From 715, Maslama was the main general for his brother, Caliph Sulayman. Sulayman wanted to conquer Constantinople, the Byzantine capital. He was too sick to lead the army himself. Maslama led a huge army and navy. Sources say he had 120,000 men and 1,800 ships.

In late 715, the Arab army crossed into Byzantine land. Maslama followed with the main army and navy in spring 716. The Byzantines were having civil wars at the time. This helped the Arabs. Maslama tried to use these divisions to his advantage. However, the Byzantine general Leo the Isaurian outsmarted him. Leo took the city of Amorium, which Maslama had planned to use as a winter base.

Besieging the City

In early summer 717, Maslama's army crossed into Europe. They began to besiege Constantinople by land and sea. But the Byzantine navy used a secret weapon called Greek fire. This weapon was very effective against the Arab ships. On land, Maslama's army could not break through the city's strong defenses.

The siege continued into a very cold winter. Snow covered the ground for three months. The Arab army ran out of supplies and suffered from hunger and sickness. In spring, more Arab ships arrived from Egypt and North Africa. But many of their Christian sailors joined the Byzantines. Leo's navy then destroyed or captured the Arab fleets.

The Byzantines also defeated an Arab army coming to help the siege. Maslama's men also had to fight attacks from the Bulgars. The siege had clearly failed. The new Caliph, Umar II, ordered Maslama to retreat. On August 15, 718, after 13 months, the Arabs left.

Later Campaigns

After the failed siege of Constantinople, Maslama went to Iraq. He was sent to stop a rebel group called the Kharijites. When his brother Yazid II became caliph in 720, Maslama defeated another rebel, Yazid ibn al-Muhallab.

However, Maslama lost favor with Caliph Yazid II. Yazid worried about Maslama's power. Yazid also didn't like that Maslama supported his brother Hisham to be the next caliph instead of Yazid's son. So, Yazid removed Maslama from his post.

Fighting in the Caucasus

Maslama returned to public life in 725. Caliph Hisham sent him to lead the fight against the Khazars in the Caucasus region. In winter 725, Maslama led an attack into Asia Minor. He captured Caesarea in 726. This was a big success for the Arabs.

In 727–728, Khazar attacks reached deep into Adharbayjan. Maslama pushed them back and took control of the Darial Pass. His campaign across the Caucasus in 728 was difficult. His troops fought for many days in bad weather. Even though he claimed victory, the expedition did not stop Khazar attacks. Maslama was removed from his position in 729.

Final Campaigns

After Maslama left, the situation in the Caucasus got worse. The Khazars defeated and killed the new governor, al-Jarrah. Facing this crisis, the Caliph appointed Maslama as governor of Armenia and Adharbayjan again.

Maslama, with a large army, cleared the Khazars from the southern Caucasus. He then advanced beyond the mountains. He captured some settlements and defeated the Khazar ruler. He also took back the important fortress of Bab al-Abwab (Derbent). He rebuilt it as a military base with 24,000 soldiers. However, his time as governor was not seen as successful enough. He was replaced in 732.

Maslama then retired from public life. He likely lived on his large estates in northern Syria. He passed away on December 24, 738.

Maslama's Legacy

Maslama was a very important figure in the Umayyad Empire. He was known as the commander of the attack on Constantinople. He also helped establish Islamic control in Derbent. For over 20 years, he was a key leader for the Umayyad rulers.

His fame spread throughout the Muslim world. Stories of his bravery became legends. The attempt to capture Constantinople became a famous tale. In these stories, the defeat was sometimes changed into a symbolic victory. It was said that Maslama entered Constantinople on his horse. The Byzantine emperor Leo even honored him. These stories inspired later Muslim writers and poets.

Byzantine history also says that Maslama convinced them to build Constantinople's first mosque. This mosque was likely built later, around 860. It survived until the city was attacked by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Later Ottoman stories also say Maslama built the Arap Mosque in Galata.

See also

In Spanish: Maslama ben Abd al-Málik ibn Marwán para niños