Harun al-Rashid
Harun ar - Rashid (Arabic هارون الرشيد, DMG Haaroon ar -Rashid, Aaron the Just, * 763 in Rayy; ? † 809 in Tus in Persia, buried in Mashhad ) came from the lineage of the Abbasids and was from 786 to 809 Caliph.
Life
Harun ( the Arabic form of Aaron ) spent his childhood in the city of Balkh and grew up there under the care of the powerful dynasty of Barmacides. Power to the 786 he got when he pushed his brother al- Hadi, who had ruled for only one year from the throne and had assassinated.
In his time, the Caliphate was politically, economically and culturally at the peak. Political stability was mainly secured by the vizierate the Barmacides. According to China ( 798 Harun's embassy in Chang'an ), India and Europe reaching trade relations marked this time. Islam spread again (albeit primarily within the empire ) from within certain limits. Harun also received a delegation of Charlemagne and the Frankish rulers gave an Indian elephant named Abul Abbas, as well as an elaborate water clock with hour strike and machine work.
Similar to before him Umar Ibn Abd al - Aziz al-Rashid ordered 807 that all Jews and Christians had to wear marks on the clothes.
After ar - Rashid had already participated in successful campaigns against Byzantium as Prince, the Byzantine Anatolia was also devastated after his government takeover, Cyprus conquered ( 805) and forced high tribute. After a win against the Byzantine city of Heraclea (today Ereğli ) he was near his former capital ar - Raqqa build the Victory Monument Heraqla. Despite these successes, first resolution tendencies made themselves felt in the border areas. Thus, the de facto independence of the Rustamiden in Algeria ( 787 ) and the Aghlabids in Ifriqiya ( 800 ) had to be recognized.
Harun al-Rashid died in 809 Iranian Tus during a campaign against the Kharijites in Sistan. Already 802 he had divided the kingdom between his sons al-Amin and al - Mamun. Current succession rules should lead to a serious political crisis.
Under today's Muslims, especially Persian origin, it is controversial because of his brutality and his way of life, as it is usually perceived in the West as a fabulous shape and in many stories of the Arabian Nights collection plays an important role. His grave is in Mashhad - in contrast to that of his grand vizier, said to have been poisoned by al - Ma'mun located in the same cemetery - not very well maintained.
Relations with Charlemagne
Harun and Karl never met personally, but maintained diplomatic relations, which probably go back to older Franco- Arab contacts, although it is reported only in Frankish sources. 798 the Caliph received a Frankish embassy (see above), which returned 802 the Franks. 801 received Karl in Italy a delegation of Harun.
The loose political contacts were probably the mutual protection against Byzantium, where they were upset over both the imperial coronation of Charlemagne in the year 800, as was also in conflict with the Caliphate.
More
Haaroon ar - Rashid is mentioned in the national anthem of Syria.