al-Walid II.

Al- Walid II, Arabic الوليد بن يزيد, DMG al - Waleed ibn Yazīd, (* 706, † April 17 744) was the eleventh Caliph of the Umayyad ( 743-744 ).

Al- Walid ibn Yazid ibn Abd al II -Malik joined 743 succeeded his uncle Hisham ( 724-743 ), as his father Yazid had predestined II ( 720-724 ). Under his government, the tensions between the tribes of the North and South Arabians tightened considerably. Increasingly lost the Umayyad prestige and authority, as they were no longer viewed by the careless policy of al - Walid II as a neutral mediator. Thus, the Umayyad rule became increasingly weakened, since they were based in the exercise of power, particularly in the Arab tribes and their troops.

743 As conquer the Kharijites in Iraq Kufa and could dominate large parts of the country, the Umayyad also lost control of the Iranian provinces where now able to spread the propaganda of the Abbasids quickly.

Despite these internal problems al- Walid devoted himself to his construction projects in Syria, as well as the promotion of literature. He should also have self- written poems.

When al - Walid II certain two of his underage sons heirs to the throne, there were tensions within the Umayyadensippe. As these sons descended from a slave and thus were not entitled to succession, many Umayyad felt ignored. Thus, it was with Yazid III. a throne legitimate son al - Walid I. raised to the Caliph. Al- Walid was overthrown and murdered on 17 April 744.

The reputation of the Umayyad as well as the loyalty of the Arab tribes was heavily damaged by the murder of the caliph and the now erupting power struggles. Within a few years this should lead to the downfall of the dynasty and the rise of the Abbasids.