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Al-Ma'mun

Type Figure Region Iraq Time c. 786–833 Also known as Abbas Abdallah al-Ma'mun、the seventh Abbasid caliph

The seventh Abbasid caliph (r. 813–833), son of Harun al-Rashid and patron of the House of Wisdom and the translation movement.

Timeline

  1. 802–813Khorasan · KhorasanHarun appointed al-Ma'mun governor of Khorasan and heir apparent; at Merv he built up the eastern frontier, gathering scholars and military and political forces, forming a dual power structure with al-Amin in Baghdad.
  2. 809–819Baghdad · Baghdad ProvinceAfter winning the civil war against al-Amin, al-Ma'mun proclaimed his accession in 813 and, after several years of suppressing revolts, formally entered Baghdad in 819 and reestablished central authority.
  3. 819–833Baghdad · Baghdad ProvinceAl-Ma'mun lavishly funded the House of Wisdom in Baghdad and promoted the translation of Greek philosophical and scientific texts; his religious policy and the mihna provoked long disputes between Shi'a and Sunnis, and he also led campaigns on the Byzantine frontier.

Sources