Until 15th century
Morocco and the western Maghrib
The Marinids were a Zenata Berber dynasty that ruled Morocco after the Almohads. Their political order relied on a Zenata military aristocracy, Arab and foreign mercenaries, provincial princes, and powerful officials. Under Abu Yusuf Yaqub, Fez became the administrative and military centre, while the dynasty supported madrasas, trade, and Andalusian immigration. Marinid power also extended into Tlemcen during two occupations.
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The Story
The Marinids originated among the Zenata of the desert and came from the Zاب region of Algeria, according to the account attributed to Ibn Khaldun. Before developing political ambitions, they were described as pastoral nomads whose wealth consisted of camels, horses, and slaves. After the defeat of the Almohads at Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, the Banu Marin began moving into northeastern Morocco and took tribute from agricultural communities and towns.
Their conquest unfolded gradually between the defeat at Meknes in 1240 and the capture of Marrakesh in 1269. Abu Yahya, who led the dynasty from 1244 to 1258, conquered Fez, Taza, Meknes, Salé, and Rabat in 1248. Under Abu Yusuf Yaqub, who ruled from 1258 to 1286, the remaining Almohad territories in the High Atlas, the Sus, and the Marrakesh region were incorporated into the new realm.
The Marinids selected Fez rather than Marrakesh as their capital. Abu Yusuf founded Fas al-Jadid, or New Fez, beside the older city of Fas al-Bali. Although the dynasty lacked the religious legitimacy claimed by the Almohads, it presented itself as their heir and sought to recover their political and cultural inheritance, including an enduring interest in Andalusia.
Marinid rule transformed Morocco’s linguistic and social balance. Arab nomads received support because the Zenata followers of the dynasty were numerically weak, and the Marinid makhzan included both Arab and Zenata groups. Arabic became the common and official language, while many Berber groups were Arabized. The expansion of nomadic pasture reduced the lands available to cultivators and helped establish a durable division between nomads, townspeople, and mountain dwellers.
The sultans exercised firm authority mainly over towns and their immediate countryside. Arab and Zenata makhzan tribes enjoyed substantial autonomy and levied taxes on peasants in exchange for military service, while Berber communities in the Atlas, Rif, and Djibal remained outside effective government. Fez nevertheless prospered through the arrival of Andalusian immigrants, who strengthened architecture, crafts, and literature and made the city Morocco’s leading cultural centre.
Until 15th century
Morocco and the western Maghrib
The Marinids were a Zenata Berber dynasty that ruled Morocco after the Almohads. Their political order relied on a Zenata military aristocracy, Arab and foreign mercenaries, provincial princes, and powerful officials. Under Abu Yusuf Yaqub, Fez became the administrative and military centre, while the dynasty supported madrasas, trade, and Andalusian immigration. Marinid power also extended into Tlemcen during two occupations.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Marinids originated among the Zenata of the desert and came from the Zاب region of Algeria, according to the account attributed to Ibn Khaldun. Before developing political ambitions, they were described as pastoral nomads whose wealth consisted of camels, horses, and slaves. After the defeat of the Almohads at Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, the Banu Marin began moving into northeastern Morocco and took tribute from agricultural communities and towns.
Their conquest unfolded gradually between the defeat at Meknes in 1240 and the capture of Marrakesh in 1269. Abu Yahya, who led the dynasty from 1244 to 1258, conquered Fez, Taza, Meknes, Salé, and Rabat in 1248. Under Abu Yusuf Yaqub, who ruled from 1258 to 1286, the remaining Almohad territories in the High Atlas, the Sus, and the Marrakesh region were incorporated into the new realm.
The Marinids selected Fez rather than Marrakesh as their capital. Abu Yusuf founded Fas al-Jadid, or New Fez, beside the older city of Fas al-Bali. Although the dynasty lacked the religious legitimacy claimed by the Almohads, it presented itself as their heir and sought to recover their political and cultural inheritance, including an enduring interest in Andalusia.
Marinid rule transformed Morocco’s linguistic and social balance. Arab nomads received support because the Zenata followers of the dynasty were numerically weak, and the Marinid makhzan included both Arab and Zenata groups. Arabic became the common and official language, while many Berber groups were Arabized. The expansion of nomadic pasture reduced the lands available to cultivators and helped establish a durable division between nomads, townspeople, and mountain dwellers.
The sultans exercised firm authority mainly over towns and their immediate countryside. Arab and Zenata makhzan tribes enjoyed substantial autonomy and levied taxes on peasants in exchange for military service, while Berber communities in the Atlas, Rif, and Djibal remained outside effective government. Fez nevertheless prospered through the arrival of Andalusian immigrants, who strengthened architecture, crafts, and literature and made the city Morocco’s leading cultural centre.
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