Hafsid dynasty
The Hafsids (Arabic بنو حفص, DMG Banū Hafs ) was from 1229 to 1574 a ruling dynasty in Ifriqiya, the core region corresponds to the present-day Tunisia. They are among the longest ruling dynasties in the Maghreb and took over in 1229 in the eastern half of the power of the Almohads ( 1147-1269 ). In the Algerian west prevailed about the same time the Abdalwadiden ( 1235-1554 ).
Significant Hafsids - ruler:
- Abu Zakariya Yahya I. (1229-1249)
- Muhammad I. al - Mustansir (1249-1277)
- Yahya al - Watiq II (1277-1279)
- Abu Ishaq Ibrahim I. (1279-1283)
- Ibn Abi Umara (1283-1284)
- Abu Hafs Umar I (1284-1295)
- Muhammad II (1295-1318)
- Abu Bakr II (1318-1346)
- Ishaq II (1350-1369)
- Abu l - Abbas Ahmad II (1370-1394)
- Abd al- Aziz II (1394-1434)
- Muhammad III. (1434-1435)
- Uthman (1435-1488)
- Muhammad IV 1493-1526
- Ahmad III. (1543-1570)
- (from 1570/74 Ottoman ruler ).
As of 1212 the power of the ruling in Andalusia and the Maghreb Almohads was weakened because they lost battles against the Christian kingdoms of Spain and had internal rivalries throne. In the spreading anarchy, the Arab Bedouin and other nomadic won against the sedentary Berbers important.
Founder of the Hafsids dynasty was the Governor of Gabes, Abu Zakariyya Yahya I. (ruler of 1229-1249 ). After his apostasy from the Almohads ( 1228 Declaration of Independence against the Caliphate Marrakech ) he refers to the Mahdi because he wants to continue the kingdom, and some again. Abu Zakariyya ( Zacharias ) reformed in Ifriqiya management and built from Tunis to its commercial and cultural activity. He assumes the title of Emir and can pay homage to the Friday prayer even as caliph.
Below him, many Muslims from Andalusia were included who were on the run in Castile and Aragon before the Reconquista. 1231-1236 graduated Ifriqiya economic contracts with Italy's Republics of Venice, Genoa and Pisa and oriented its trade there, which caused an economic boom. Militarily, the Hafsids were soon the European armies evenly matched, but the science reached only in theology a high level ( by the mystique of Abu Madyan and propelled scholars like Abd Allah al - Tijani ). Zakariyyaas successor Muhammad I al - Mustansir (1249-1277) officially adopted the title of caliph and promoted in particular the construction activity. From the palaces, parks and hydraulic systems, however, there was little to receive. In 1295 a third madrasa ( Islamic religious college) was established in Tunis.
In the 14th century it came to a temporary decline of the empire. Although the Hafsids succeeded several times to subdue the kingdom of Abdalwadiden of Tlemcen, but it was hers conquered 1347-1357 twice by the Marinids from Morocco. This could not, however, prevail against the Bedouin, so that the Hafsids were able to regain their kingdom. However, since the same plague led to a significant decline in population, their rule was further weakened.
Among the Hafsids since the 14th century won the piracy against the Ancient Mariner in importance and was regarded as a kind of revenge because of the Spanish Reconquista. She experienced particularly under Abd al - Aziz II (1394-1434) a major boom. The profits were used for extensive construction activities and the promotion of art and culture. However, piracy also provoked counter- actions of Aragon and Venice, who attacked in Tunisia several times coastal cities. Under Uthman (1435-1488), the Hafsids reached their recent peak, by promoting the caravan trade across the Sahara and Egypt, and the sea trade with Venice and Aragon. After that the towns of Ifriqiya and the Bedouins gained considerable independence, so that the Hafsids only Tunis and Constantine controlled.
In the 16th century, the dynasty was increasingly in the power struggle between Spain and supported by the Ottomans corsairs. The latter conquered Tunis in 1574 and overthrew the Hafsids, who had temporarily accepted the Spanish sovereignty.