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8th century – 8th century

Musa ibn Nusayr

Ifriqiya and the Maghrib

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Musa ibn Nusayr was the Umayyad commander who replaced Hassan ibn al-Nu'man in Ifriqiya in 704 and completed the Muslim conquest of the Maghrib. He organized new provinces, installed garrisons, incorporated Berber fighting men into his army, and later directed the conquest of Iberia before being recalled after his return to Kayrawan in 710.

Territory · Character

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Ask Uriti

  • Who was Musa ibn Nusayr and what was their influence?
  • What role does Musa ibn Nusayr play in the Ifriqiya and the Maghrib region?
  • What is the link between Musa ibn Nusayr and Tangier?
  • About Musa ibn Nusayr: can you clarify “Governor of Ifriqiya from 704”?

The Story

The conquest of the western Maghrib

Musa ibn Nusayr became governor of Ifriqiya in 704, replacing Hassan ibn al-Nu'man. Described as exceptionally ambitious and energetic, he began campaigning soon after reaching Kayrawan. His first objective was Djabal Zaghwan, south of Tabarka, where Hawwara and Djarawa subgroups had not yet submitted. The attack produced prisoners and drove Berber groups westward toward the Maghrib.

Musa pursued these groups through the central Maghrib, captured villages, and compelled kabïlas in the Rif to submit. He occupied Tangier and offered protection to Ceuta and its governor, Julian. From Tangier, columns led by his sons and other officers moved across the western Maghrib, defeating the Masmuda on the Wadi Dara and securing the surrender and conversion of most Berber communities in the region.

The conquered territories were reorganized into three provinces: the central Maghrib, governed from Tlemcen; the far western Maghrib, governed from Tangier; and al-Sus al-aksä. Musa placed governors and mixed Arab-Berber garrisons in the provincial capitals and took fighting men as hostages for incorporation into the Muslim army. In 710 he returned to Kayrawan, and the following year he was recalled to undertake the conquest of Iberia.

Key Points

  • Governor of Ifriqiya from 704
  • Conquered the central and western Maghrib
  • Created three new provinces
  • Integrated Berber soldiers into the army
  • Recalled for the conquest of Iberia

Trust

high

This level indicates the accuracy of the dates, locations, and boundaries available in the current corpus.

Source

General history of Africa, III: Africa from the seventh to the eleventh century

A starting point for further exploration—not an exhaustive bibliography.

ResourcesMap
CharacterTrust high

8th century – 8th century

Musa ibn Nusayr

Ifriqiya and the Maghrib

Listen
Compare
View in the constellation

Musa ibn Nusayr was the Umayyad commander who replaced Hassan ibn al-Nu'man in Ifriqiya in 704 and completed the Muslim conquest of the Maghrib. He organized new provinces, installed garrisons, incorporated Berber fighting men into his army, and later directed the conquest of Iberia before being recalled after his return to Kayrawan in 710.

Territory · Character

Continue exploring

Ask Uriti

  • Who was Musa ibn Nusayr and what was their influence?
  • What role does Musa ibn Nusayr play in the Ifriqiya and the Maghrib region?
  • What is the link between Musa ibn Nusayr and Tangier?
  • About Musa ibn Nusayr: can you clarify “Governor of Ifriqiya from 704”?

The Story

The conquest of the western Maghrib

Musa ibn Nusayr became governor of Ifriqiya in 704, replacing Hassan ibn al-Nu'man. Described as exceptionally ambitious and energetic, he began campaigning soon after reaching Kayrawan. His first objective was Djabal Zaghwan, south of Tabarka, where Hawwara and Djarawa subgroups had not yet submitted. The attack produced prisoners and drove Berber groups westward toward the Maghrib.

Musa pursued these groups through the central Maghrib, captured villages, and compelled kabïlas in the Rif to submit. He occupied Tangier and offered protection to Ceuta and its governor, Julian. From Tangier, columns led by his sons and other officers moved across the western Maghrib, defeating the Masmuda on the Wadi Dara and securing the surrender and conversion of most Berber communities in the region.

The conquered territories were reorganized into three provinces: the central Maghrib, governed from Tlemcen; the far western Maghrib, governed from Tangier; and al-Sus al-aksä. Musa placed governors and mixed Arab-Berber garrisons in the provincial capitals and took fighting men as hostages for incorporation into the Muslim army. In 710 he returned to Kayrawan, and the following year he was recalled to undertake the conquest of Iberia.

Key Points

  • Governor of Ifriqiya from 704
  • Conquered the central and western Maghrib
  • Created three new provinces
  • Integrated Berber soldiers into the army
  • Recalled for the conquest of Iberia

Trust

high

This level indicates the accuracy of the dates, locations, and boundaries available in the current corpus.

Source

General history of Africa, III: Africa from the seventh to the eleventh century

A starting point for further exploration—not an exhaustive bibliography.

Continue the journey

Related Paths

Other paths related to this story.

  • Ifriqiya under Muslim RuleKingdom·7th century — 8th century