MU'TAMID, AL-

in full Muhammad Ibn 'abbad, also called Muhammad Ii Al-mu'tamid born 1027, Spain died 1095, Aghmat, near Marrakech, Mor. third and last member of the 'Abbadid dynasty of Seville, and the epitome of the cultivated Muslim Spaniard of the Middle Agesliberal, tolerant, and a patron of the arts. At the age of 13 al-Mu'tamid commanded a military expedition that had been sent against the city of Silves. The venture was successful, and he was appointed governor of this and another district. In 1069 his father died, and al-Mu'tamid acceded to the throne of Seville. He was destined to rule in difficult times: neighbouring princes were resuming the inexorable advance that in time would bring all of Spain once again under Christian rule. Yet his first efforts were successful. In 1071 he conquered and annexed the principality of Crdoba, although his rule was not effectively secured until 1078. During that time he also brought the kingdom of Murcia under his rule. In 1085 Alfonso VI, king of Leon and Castile, captured the city of Toledo. This was a crippling blow to Spanish Islam. Al-Mu'tamid had already been forced to pay tribute to Alfonso, and, when he dared to refuse a payment, Alfonso invaded his kingdom and sacked various towns. Soon Alfonso also began making demands for territorial concessions. Al-Mu'tamid recognized that he could not stay the Christian advance with his own resources, and, acting as leader of a number of Muslim princes, he reluctantly sought the aid of Yusuf ibn Tashufin. The latter, as the reigning Almoravid sultan, had just conquered all of Morocco and had powerful military forces at his disposal. In 1086 Yusuf crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and at Az-Zallaqah inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Christian forces. Yet he had to return to Morocco before he could follow up his victory. Al-Mu'tamid now had a respite from Christian military pressure but soon found himself again unable to defend his borders. This time he sought Yusuf's aid in person, and in 1090 another Almoravid army invaded Spain. Now, however, Yusuf decided to carry on the jihad (holy war) in his own name and proceeded to dethrone those who had invited him. Seville was captured, and al-Mu'tamid was sent as a prisoner to Morocco, where he remained until his death.