Description
House of Emirates in London is thrilled to offer its elite clientele this incredible 1300 years old majestic treasure from the last caliph of the Islamic Umayyad Dynasty, Caliph Marwan II.
Such rare dirham will make an ideal Royal Class gift for someone special.
Silver Dirham
Mint: Wasit
Year: 130 AH / 747 AD
Weight: 2.71 g
Diameter: 23 mm
Very Fine condition.
Marwan II was the fourteenth and last caliph of the Umayyad dynasty. His reign (744–750 AD) marked the end of the Umayyad Caliphate, which was overthrown during his time in power by the Abbasid Revolution. His life and rule were defined by political instability, civil war, and the rise of new forces challenging the Umayyad authority.
Key Details of Marwan II’s Life and Reign:
Early Life and Military Career
- Born around 688 AD, Marwan II was a member of the Umayyad Royal family.
- He was appointed governor of Armenia and Azerbaijan in 732 AD, where he gained a reputation as a skilled military leader, particularly for his campaigns against the Byzantine Empire and rebellious groups in the region.
- His military prowess earned him the title Marwan al-Himar (“Marwan the Ass”), reportedly for his endurance and determination.
Accession to the Caliphate
- Marwan II became caliph in 744 AD after the assassination of Caliph Al-Walid II, during a period of significant internal strife within the Umayyad dynasty.
- He inherited a fragmented empire facing revolts, tribal divisions, and challenges from within the family and from the non-Arab populations (mawali).
Challenges During His Reign
- Civil War:
- Marwan II’s rule was marred by internal conflict, including battles against rival claimants to the throne, such as Sulayman ibn Hisham and other members of the Umayyad family.
- Tribal divisions between the northern Arab (Qays) and southern Arab (Yaman) factions exacerbated the unrest.
- Abbasid Revolution:
- The most significant challenge came from the Abbasids, a rival faction claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad’s uncle, Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib.
- The Abbasid forces, led by Abu Muslim, rallied discontented Persians, Arabs, and other groups, especially in Khorasan, to overthrow the Umayyads.
Downfall and Death
- The decisive blow to Marwan II’s reign came at the Battle of the Zab (750 AD), where his forces were defeated by the Abbasids.
- Following the battle, Marwan fled to Egypt but was eventually captured and killed in Fustat (Old Cairo) in 750 AD. His death marked the end of the Umayyad Caliphate in the East.
Legacy
- The Umayyads were replaced by the Abbasid Caliphate, which established a new capital in Baghdad and ushered in a different era of Islamic rule.
- A branch of the Umayyad family survived in Al-Andalus (Spain), where they established the Umayyad Emirate of Cordoba in 756 AD, later becoming the Caliphate of Cordoba.
Marwan II’s reign is often viewed as a transitional period that highlighted the weaknesses of the Umayyad administration, such as the over-reliance on Arab tribal elites and the alienation of non-Arab Muslims, which contributed to the dynasty’s downfall.
