The Mad King: Ziydat Allh III and the Aghlabid Collapse
Summary
Amazigh.com ⵣ presents a deep dive into the chaotic final days of the Aghlabid dynasty. This post examines the historical records of Ziyādat Allāh III, detailing his descent into tyranny and the systematic destruction of his own court and family. By analyzing texts like al-Azhar al-Riadia, the community explores the brutal reality of medieval power struggles and the collapse of one of North Africa's most significant ruling houses.
If incompetence were a royal virtue, Ziyādat Allāh III would stand among history's greatest kings. The last Aghlabid ruler managed what generations of enemies could scarcely dream of accomplishing: he turned his sword against his own family, servants, officials, and supporters with such enthusiasm that he became the most effective architect of his dynasty's destruction.
Traduction of the text from book "al azhar al riadia fi aimat wa moulouk el ibadia"
“He committed acts that would not even be expected from madmen. He began killing his men, his sons, his daughters, his women, his secretaries, and his chamberlains. He even killed three hundred of his servants because one servant picked up a handkerchief that had fallen from one of his concubines.
He had his son, known as Abu al-Aghlab, executed before his eyes, along with eight of his brothers who were among his attendants, and sixteen daughters in a single day.
Al-Shammakhi (may God have mercy on him) said, quoting Ibn al-Raqiq: He committed deeds that no one before him had done, and no king had preceded him in such actions. He gathered sixty-four young favorites and provided each of them with a bed, lodging, and blanket. Then he heard something concerning some of them and had them all killed. Some were struck with iron pillars so that their brains burst out. He used to burn five or six of them every day until none remained. Others he locked inside a bathhouse until they died.**
He killed his companions, his physician, his secretaries, and his chamberlains. One of his scribes was imprisoned and begged him for mercy. Among the ruler’s sayings was: ‘When kings are asked for mercy, they show mercy.’ The scribe replied: ‘When kings are asked for mercy, they kill.’ So he killed him.
