FATIMIDS

Fatimid

FATIMID

INTRODUCTION

In order to simplify the comprehending of the inherent socio-economic factors of the Fatimid Caliphate, this item will first analyze individually the North African Period (909-969 A.C.) and then the Egyptian Period (969-1171 A.C.) in a chronological sequence. Each of these periods had its own set of socio-economic factors, the foremost being that the Fatimid were a Shiite few ruling over the Sunni majority. Throughout the Fatimid period, the Sunni Abbasids were the major political competitors and throughout the North African period there was furthermore a conflict of concern in the Mediterranean trade with the Christian Byzantine Empire. Even though the Fatimid direct tried to be equitable to all most of the time, it did not appear so to the most, particularly in times of famine and financial hardship.

THE NORTH AFRICAN PERIOD (909 - 969 A.C)

The first four Fatimid Imams, al-Mahdi, al-Qaim, al-Mansur and al-Muiz consolidated their direct in North Africa democratically, economically and militarily. But Ismailism, a creed of the Fatimid, which was vitally devout and philosophical, could not be disassociated from political and communal movements at the identical time and since the Ismailis were in few ruling the most of the Sunnis who had been nominally under the Abbasids, they were compelled to face opposition.

Socio-Political Problems

In North Africa, the political and devout disagreement came mostly from Sunnism which itself was dwindled by the divide between Malikism and Kharidjism particularly in its Ibadi and Sufri forms. The other disagreement came from the Berbers. There were two major competitor assemblies, the Zenata in the West and the Sanhadja in the East. The last cited encompassed the Kutama, who primarily had sustained the Fatimid, but subsequent on revolted, particularly after the execution of Dai Abu Abdulla al-Shii for high treason. The first years of the Fatimid direct in North Africa were thus expended in overwhelming these adversaries and consolidating their rule. (Sanders 2004)

In idea all the countries in North Africa were presumed to be nominally under the Abbasids, but in truth the Muslim dynasties like the Aghlabids, who the Fatimid had overthrown, the Idrisids of Fez in Morocco, the Umayyads of Spain and the dissident Kharidjites in North Africa were effectively independent. These became the nearest competitors of the Fatimids, but were finally overcome.

In the Mediterranean, there was a conflict of concerns in Genoa, Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia between the Christian Byzantine Empire and the increasing Fatimid Caliphate. After some comes across between the navies of the two arguing empires, a calm treaty was marked in 967 A.C. between the Fatimid and the Byzantines. The Fatimid were furthermore adept to contain their own contrary to all the other political adversaries because of their mighty armed detachment and navy, but in alignment to maintain these, the state in North Africa had to have a powerful financial base. (Lev 2001)

Economic Activities

When North Africa was conquered, it was in flourishing situation mostly because of the development of village life. The north narrow piece of North Africa which has the Mediterranean kind of weather is ...