8th century – 9th century
Ifriqiya, Maghrib, and the Sudan
The Aghlabid monetary and political expansion was connected to increased flows of Sudanese gold through Kharijite trade. In 800, Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab agreed to pay 40,000 dinars to the imperial treasury in exchange for autonomy and hereditary succession rights. Numismatic evidence places the beginning of his coinage around 804, and the pages suggest that Aghlabid dinars paid to Baghdad were made from Sudanese gold.
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The Story
From the middle of the eighth century, Kharijite traders increased the flow of Sudanese gold toward the Maghrib. This movement helped the Aghlabids consolidate their position as autonomous rulers of the Maghrib in the name of the Abbasid caliphs. Gold was therefore not only a commodity but also a fiscal resource in negotiations between regional rulers and the imperial center.
In 800, Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab undertook to pay 40,000 dinars to the imperial treasury. In return, he obtained a substantial measure of autonomy and the right to bequeath his domains to his heirs. According to numismatic evidence, he began striking dinars around 804, and the Aghlabids paid their tribute to Baghdad with their own coinage.
The pages state that these Aghlabid dinars must have been made from Sudanese gold. The episode connects mining and caravan commerce in the Sudan with monetary production in Ifriqiya and with the political arrangement that allowed the Aghlabids to rule with considerable autonomy under Abbasid authority.
8th century – 9th century
Ifriqiya, Maghrib, and the Sudan
The Aghlabid monetary and political expansion was connected to increased flows of Sudanese gold through Kharijite trade. In 800, Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab agreed to pay 40,000 dinars to the imperial treasury in exchange for autonomy and hereditary succession rights. Numismatic evidence places the beginning of his coinage around 804, and the pages suggest that Aghlabid dinars paid to Baghdad were made from Sudanese gold.
Continue exploring
The Story
From the middle of the eighth century, Kharijite traders increased the flow of Sudanese gold toward the Maghrib. This movement helped the Aghlabids consolidate their position as autonomous rulers of the Maghrib in the name of the Abbasid caliphs. Gold was therefore not only a commodity but also a fiscal resource in negotiations between regional rulers and the imperial center.
In 800, Ibrahim ibn al-Aghlab undertook to pay 40,000 dinars to the imperial treasury. In return, he obtained a substantial measure of autonomy and the right to bequeath his domains to his heirs. According to numismatic evidence, he began striking dinars around 804, and the Aghlabids paid their tribute to Baghdad with their own coinage.
The pages state that these Aghlabid dinars must have been made from Sudanese gold. The episode connects mining and caravan commerce in the Sudan with monetary production in Ifriqiya and with the political arrangement that allowed the Aghlabids to rule with considerable autonomy under Abbasid authority.