HAMDANID DYNASTY

Muslim Arab dynasty of northern Iraq (Al-Jazirah) and Syria (9051004) whose members were renowned as brilliant warriors and as great patrons of Arabic poets and scholars. Hamdan ibn Hamdun brought the family, already well established in Al-Jazirah, to political prominence by taking part in uprisings against the 'Abbasid caliph late in the 9th century. His sons, however, became 'Abbasid officials, al-Husayn serving as a military commander and Abu al-Hayja' 'Abd Allah initiating the Hamdanid dynasty by assuming the post of governor of Mosul (905929). The dynasty struck an independent course under 'Abd Allah's son Nasir ad-Dawlah al-Hasan (reigned 929969) and expanded westward into Syria. In 979 the Hamdanids were driven out of Mosul by the Buyid 'Adud ad-Dawlah, who was then annexing Iraq to his domains, and Abu Taghlib (reigned 969979) was forced to seek refuge and help from the Fatimids of Egypt, though without success. 'Adud ad-Dawlah later maintained two Hamdanids, Ibrahim and al-Husayn, as joint rulers of Mosul (981991), but the dynasty's power had already shifted to Syria. Aleppo and Homs had been won about 945 by Abu Taghlib's uncle, Sayf ad-Dawlah, who spent most of his reign (c. 943967) defending his frontiers (from northern Syria to Armenia) against the Byzantine Greeks. It was in Sayf ad-Dawlah's honour that the poet al-Mutanabbi (d. 965), during his stay at the Hamdanid court (948957), wrote his famed panegyrics. Trouble with the Byzantine Empire increased during Sa'd ad-Dawlah's tenure (967971). The kingdom was invaded on several occasions, and even Aleppo and Homs were temporarily lost, while the Fatimids also began to infringe on the southern end of Syria. The Fatimids and the Hamdanids struggled for possession of Aleppo throughout Sa'id ad-Dawlah's reign (9911002), even drawing the Byzantine emperor Basil II into the conflict. In 1002 control of Aleppo passed into the hands of the slave general Lu'lu', who ruled as regent (100204) for the last two Hamdanids, 'Ali II and Sharif II, and then as a Fatimid vassal.