MARWAN I IBN AL-HAKAM

born 623 died 685 first of the Marwanid caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty (reigned 684685). A governor of Medina and the Hejaz under the caliph Mu'awiya I, where he showed unusual vigour, Marwan I was an old man in poor health when he ascended the throne himself in 684. He died of illness less than a year later. His short reign was a period of continuous battle between various factions for the caliphate. Marwan I was able to arrange the succession of his son 'Abd al-Malik by eliminating all other contenders for the caliphate. He strengthened the foundations of the Umayyad house and concentrated more power in the hands of the caliph.