Ziri ibn Atiyya facts for kids

Ziri ibn Atiyya (also known as Ziri en Ɛaṭiyya Ameɣraw in the Berber language) was a strong leader. He was the chief of the Berber Maghrawa tribes. These tribes formed a kingdom in a place called Fez. Ziri lived a long time ago and died in the year 1001.

Ziri became a powerful leader around 978-979. He had the support of the Umayyad Caliph, Hisham II, who ruled in Spain. The Caliph's main helper, Al-Mansur, also protected Ziri. With their help, Ziri became king of the Zenata tribes. He quickly started to conquer lands in what is now northern Morocco. By 987-988, he was strong enough to set up his main court in Fes.

Becoming a Powerful Leader

In 989, Al-Mansur asked Ziri for help. He wanted Ziri to attack Abu al-Bahār. Abu al-Bahār controlled much of what is now Algeria and Tunisia. He had first joined the Umayyads, but then changed his mind. He switched sides after gaining control of the Maghreb region.

Ziri attacked with great force. Abu al-Bahār fled without much of a fight. By 991, Ziri had become the master of the entire Maghreb region. This was a huge victory for him.

Gifts and Titles

After his big win, Ziri sent many gifts to Al-Mansur. These gifts included 200 fast horses and 50 racing camels. He also sent 1000 shields, civet cats, giraffes, and gazelles. There were also 1000 loads of dates from the Sahara desert.

Al-Mansur was impressed and invited Ziri to Cordoba. Ziri traveled with 300 slaves on horseback and 300 on foot. He brought even more amazing gifts. These included lions in cages and cattle that looked like horses. He also brought a bird that could speak both Arabic and Berber. There were even dates as big as melons!

Al-Mansur gave Ziri the important title of vizier. But when Ziri returned to Morocco, he felt very independent. He reportedly said, "Now my head is my own!" He told everyone not to call him anything but amir.

Building and Conflict

While Ziri was away, his rivals, the Banu Ifran, captured Fes. Their leader was Yaddū, who had been Ziri's enemy for a long time. After this, there was a time of peace. During this peace, Ziri built or rebuilt the city of Oujda. This work started in August or September of 994.

Soon, rumors reached Al-Mansur. He heard that Ziri was not following his wishes. Finally, in 996, Al-Mansur stopped supporting Ziri. He also took away Ziri's title. Ziri responded by saying that Hisham II was the true Caliph. This made Al-Mansur angry, and he sent an army to invade Morocco.

The Final Battle

The fight lasted for three months. Eventually, Al-Mansur's army had to retreat to Tangiers. But Al-Mansur quickly sent more soldiers. His son, Abd al-Malik, led this strong new army.

The two armies fought near Tangiers. During the battle, an African soldier stabbed Ziri. The soldier told Abd al-Malik that he had badly wounded the Zenata leader. Abd al-Malik pushed his attack harder. The wounded Ziri had to run away, with the Caliph's army chasing him.

The people of Fes would not let Ziri back into the city. Instead, they opened their gates to Abd al-Malik on October 13, 998.

Later Years and Death

Ziri fled to the Sahara desert. There, he gathered the Zenata tribes again. He took control of the Idrisid dynasty's lands in Tiaret. He was able to make his territory bigger. It now included Tlemcen and other parts of western Algeria. This time, he had the support of the Fatimids.

Ziri died in 1001. His death was caused by the stab wounds he received earlier. His son, Al-Mu'izz, became the new leader. Al-Mu'izz made peace with Al-Mansur. In return, Al-Mansur gave Al-Mu'izz all the lands his father used to control.

See also

In Spanish: Ziri ibn Atiyya para niños