10th century – 10th century
Ifrikiya, Egypt, and the central Mediterranean
Al-Muʿizz was the fourth Fatimid caliph and the ruler who transformed the dynasty from a North African power into an Egyptian-centered empire. He consolidated the resources of Ifrikiya, directed the successful conquest of Egypt through Jawhar, founded Cairo as the new capital, and moved the Fatimid court there in 973. His reign also included naval warfare with Byzantium and conflict with the Banū Hilāl.
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The Story
Al-Muʿizz inherited a Fatimid state whose economic, military, and administrative capacity had been strengthened through campaigns in the Maghrib and Mediterranean. These achievements allowed him to prepare the final attack on Egypt. The conquest was entrusted to Jawhar and succeeded with comparatively little difficulty, opening a new phase in Fatimid imperial history.
After Jawhar entered al-Fustat in 969, al-Muʿizz moved from Ifrikiya to Cairo in 362/973. Egypt thereby became the center of the Fatimid Empire, while North Africa lost the central position it had held during the dynasty’s formative period. The move had lasting consequences for the political history of the Maghrib.
Al-Muʿizz also directed Fatimid policy in the central Mediterranean. He refused an initial Byzantine proposal for a long-term truce during hostilities with the Spanish Umayyads, accepting negotiations only after further naval successes and reverses. Later, he concluded peace with Byzantium in 356/967 in order to secure his flank before the Egyptian campaign.
10th century – 10th century
Ifrikiya, Egypt, and the central Mediterranean
Al-Muʿizz was the fourth Fatimid caliph and the ruler who transformed the dynasty from a North African power into an Egyptian-centered empire. He consolidated the resources of Ifrikiya, directed the successful conquest of Egypt through Jawhar, founded Cairo as the new capital, and moved the Fatimid court there in 973. His reign also included naval warfare with Byzantium and conflict with the Banū Hilāl.
Continue exploring
The Story
Al-Muʿizz inherited a Fatimid state whose economic, military, and administrative capacity had been strengthened through campaigns in the Maghrib and Mediterranean. These achievements allowed him to prepare the final attack on Egypt. The conquest was entrusted to Jawhar and succeeded with comparatively little difficulty, opening a new phase in Fatimid imperial history.
After Jawhar entered al-Fustat in 969, al-Muʿizz moved from Ifrikiya to Cairo in 362/973. Egypt thereby became the center of the Fatimid Empire, while North Africa lost the central position it had held during the dynasty’s formative period. The move had lasting consequences for the political history of the Maghrib.
Al-Muʿizz also directed Fatimid policy in the central Mediterranean. He refused an initial Byzantine proposal for a long-term truce during hostilities with the Spanish Umayyads, accepting negotiations only after further naval successes and reverses. Later, he concluded peace with Byzantium in 356/967 in order to secure his flank before the Egyptian campaign.
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