Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali
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| Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali يحي بن علي بن حمود المعتلي | |
|---|---|
 Dirham coined under the reign of Emir Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali | |
| 8th Caliph of Córdoba (first period) | |
| Reign | 1021 – 1023 |
| Predecessor | al-Qasim al-Ma'mun |
| Successor | al-Qasim al-Ma'mun |
| (second period) | |
| Reign | 1025 – 1026 |
| Predecessor | Muhammad III |
| Successor | Hisham III |
| 1st Ruler of Málaga Taifa | |
| Reign | 1026 – 1035 |
| Predecessor | New Position Created |
| Successor | Taifa of Málaga |
| Died | 1035 |
| Dynasty | Hammudid |
| Father | Ali ibn Hammud |
| Religion | Islam |
Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud al-Mu'tali (Arabic: يحي بن علي ين حمّود المعتلي; died 1035) was Caliph of Cordoba in the Hammudid dynasty of the Al-Andalus (Moorish medieval Iberia) during two periods, from 1021 to 1023 and from 1025 to 1026. He was the son of caliph Ali ibn Hammud.
Biography
In 1016 after Ali ibn Hammud captured Córdoba and claimed the throne for himself, Yahya took his father's position as governor of Ceuta. After his father's assassination in 1018, Yahya refused to recognize his uncle al-Qasim as caliph. With Berber supporters in 1021, Yahya marched on Córdoba. Al-Qasim abandoned the city and fled to Seville.[1]
Yahya is proclaimed caliph on 13 August 1021. Yahya rules for approximately a year and a half, but his arrogance and vanity finally alienates his partisans. In February 1023, Yahya flees and al-Qasim returns and reclaims the throne. The citizenry of Córdoba, however, have tired of Hammudid rule and revolt against al-Qasim after six months. The citizens of Córdoba decide that they want to return to Umayyad leadership and choose Abd al-Rahman ibn Hisham ibn Abd al-Jabbar, the great grandson of Abd al-Raḥmān III to be their caliph. In December 1023, Abd al-Rahman is proclaimed new caliph and takes the title Abd al-Rahman V.[1][2]
The reign of Abd al-Rahman V lasts only 47 days. The citizens of Córdoba were quite volitable and a mob of unemployed workmen attacked the palace in January 1024; forced the execution of Abd al-Rahman V; and enlisted a different Umayyad prince Muhammad III of Córdoba, as the new caliph.[3]
Meanwhile, after fleeing Córdoba in 1023, Yahya had taken control of the regions of the Lower March from Jerez to Málaga. During that time, Yahya learned that al-Qasim had taken refuge in Jerez. Yahya searched al-Qasim out, took him to back to Málaga for incarceration, and ultimately had him assassinated.[1]
Later in 1025, Yahya mustered an army to march on Córdoba. Caliph Muhammad III was on the throne, however he was weak, lazy and uninspiring. The functionaries that he surrounded himself with were equally unqualified and uninspiring. Muhammad III muddled along, but was ridiculed and unable to maintain power. In May Muhammad III became aware that Yahya plotted to depose him. Muhammad III proceeded to take a coward's exit, sneaking from Córdoba to Zaragoza disguised as a singer.[2][4][5][6]
After Muhammad III fled the capital city, the Córdoban aristocracy created a council to govern the city in his absence. After approximately six months, however, they appealed to Yahya to come to the city and assume the title of caliph. He arrived on 9 November 1025. The city, however, was no longer a prize. The treasury was empty. There was no functioning government. There was no military or police to enforce laws. The city had no regional influence outside the city walls. Yahya as a result had no interest in assuming the position of caliph choosing instead to put the city in the hands of his vizier Abu Ja`far Ahmad ben Musa while he returned to his stronghold of Málaga.[2][4]
Unhappy that the Hammudids ruled the Caliphate again, regional Slavic rulers assembled a small army; removed Yahya's vizier and forces from the city; and departed without putting their own leadership in place. The aristocracy took control again and after searching for an appropriate Umayyad candidate put Hisham III of Córdoba on the throne in June 1027 as Hisham III.[2][4]
After his definitive expulsion from Córdoba, Yahya created the independent taifa (kingdom) of Málaga, which he ruled until his death in 1035.[2]
Citations
- ^ a b c Flood 2018, p. 67.
- ^ a b c d e Altamira 1999, pp. 477–515.
- ^ Flood 2018, pp. 67–68.
- ^ a b c Flood 2018, p. 68.
- ^ Arbuthnot 1890, p. 22.
- ^ Elliott 1975, p. 76.
References
- Altamira, Rafael (1999). "Il califfato occidentale". Storia del mondo medievale. Vol. II. pp. 477–515.
- Arbuthnot, F. F. (1890). Arabic Authors: A Manual of Arabian History and Literature. London: W. Heinemann. p. 22. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- Elliott, William (1975). The Attempt of a New Damascus: Córdoba Under the Caliphate (Master of Arts thesis). Creighton University. p. 76. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- Flood, Timothy M. (2018-11-09). Rulers and Realms in Medieval Iberia, 711-1492. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-3372-5. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
| Caliphs of Damascus (661–750) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirs of Córdoba (756–929) | ||
| Caliphs of Córdoba (929–1031) | ||
indicates Hammudid usurpers | ||
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