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{{Short description|Arab military commander and governor (died 750)}}
'''Tha'laba ibn Salama al-Amili''' (?-?750) was a Arab military commander in Jordan, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, and briefly ruler of [[al-Andalus]] from August 742 to May 743.
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Tha'laba ibn Salama al-Amili<br />ثعلبة بن سلامة العاملي
| office = [[List of Umayyad governors of al-Andalus|Governor of al-Andalus]]
| termstart = 742
| termend = 743
| birth_place = [[Syria (region)|Syria]]
| death_date = 750
| death_place = [[Egypt]]
| allegiance = [[Umayyad Caliphate]]
| battles = [[Berber Revolt]]
*[[Battle of Bagdoura]] (741)
[[Abbasid Revolution]]
}}


'''Tha'laba ibn Salama al-Amili''' ({{Langx|ar|ثعلبة بن سلامة العاملي}}) was an Arab military commander [[Jund al-Urdunn|al-Urdunn]], [[Maghreb|al-Maghreb]] and the [[Iberian Peninsula]], and briefly ruler of [[al-Andalus]] from August 742 to May 743.
Thalaba ibn Salama went to North Africa with the 'Syrian' expedition of 741, led by [[Kulthum ibn Iyad al-Qasi]] and his nephew [[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri]], to crush the [[Berber Revolt|Great Berber Revolt]] in the [[Maghreb]]. Thalaba was the commander of the [[Jordan]] ''jund'' and, by explicit credentials of Caliph [[Hisham]], was designated as second successor, should tragedy befall Kulthum or his first successor, Balj.


Thalaba ibn Salama belonged to [[Banu Amilah]] of the [[Qays–Yaman rivalry|Yaman]] faction, like most Andalusian Arabs, rather than the usual '[[Qais|Qaysid]]' stock of the Syrians.<ref>{{Slaves on Horses|page=171}}</ref>
The Syrian army was defeated and Kulthum killed by the Berber rebels at the [[Battle of Bagdoura]] in October 741. Balj ibn Bishr took what remained of the Syrian regiments (''junds''), some 10,000 men, to [[Ceuta]]. After protracted negotiations with the Andalusian governor [[Abd al-Malik ibn Qatan al-Fihri]], Syrian forces were ferried over to [[al-Andalus]] in early 742.


Thalaba ibn Salama went to North Africa with the 'Syrian' expedition of 741, led by [[Kulthum ibn Iyad al-Qasi]] and his nephew [[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri]], to crush the [[Berber Revolt|Great Berber Revolt]] in the [[Maghreb]]. Thalaba was the commander of the [[Jordan]] ''jund'' and, by explicit credentials of Caliph [[Hisham]], was designated as second successor, should tragedy befall Kulthum or his first successor, Balj.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
After defeating the Berber rebel armies in al-Andalus in the Spring of 642, relations between the Andalusian governor and the Syrian commanders quickly broke down. The Syrian leader [[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri|Balj ibn Bishr]] deposed and executed the old governor and declared himself the new ruler of [[al-Andalus]].


The Syrian army was defeated and Kulthum killed by the Berber rebels at the [[Battle of Bagdoura]] in October 741. Balj ibn Bishr took what remained of the Syrian regiments (''junds''), some 10,000 men, to [[Ceuta]]. After protracted negotiations with the Andalusian governor [[Abd al-Malik ibn Qatn al-Fihri]], Syrian forces were ferried over to [[al-Andalus]] in early 742.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
But rallied by the sons of the late governor, the Andalusian Arabs (now calling themselves ''baladiyun'' or ''baladis'') took up arms against the Syrian ''junds'' (which they called the ''shamiyun''). Although the Syrians crushed the Andalusians at the [[Battle of Aqua Portora]] outside of Cordoba in August, 742, their commander Balj ibn Bishr died the next day from battlefield wounds. As his lieutenant and designated successor, Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili was immediately acclaimed by the Syrian troops as their head, and consequently governor of [[al-Andalus]].


After defeating the Berber rebel armies in al-Andalus in the Spring of 742, relations between the Andalusian governor and the Syrian commanders quickly broke down. The Syrian leader [[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri|Balj ibn Bishr]] deposed and executed the old governor and declared himself the new ruler of [[al-Andalus]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}
Thalaba ibn Salama was of '[[Yemenite]]' tribal stock, like most Andalusian Arabs, rather than the usual '[[Qais|Qaysid]]' stock of the Syrians.<ref>P. Crone (1980) ''Slaves on Horses: The Evolution of the Islamic Polity'', p.171</ref>


But rallied by the sons of the late governor, the Andalusí Arabs (now calling themselves ''baladiyun'' or ''baladis'') took up arms against the Syrian ''junds'' (which they called the ''shamiyun''). Although the Syrians crushed the Andalusians at the [[Battle of Aqua Portora]] outside of Cordoba in August, 742, their commander Balj ibn Bishr died the next day from battlefield wounds. As his lieutenant and designated successor, Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili was immediately acclaimed by the Syrian troops as their head, and consequently governor of [[al-Andalus]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}
Thalaba's authority did not extend much beyond [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]], where the Syrian regiments had hunkered down. Sometime in late 642 or early 643, Thalaba marched onto [[Mérida]], an area of rebel activity, but soon found himself trapped with his small army in the citadel by the Andalusians. Calculating there was no escape, Andalusians carried the siege of Mérida in a leisurely fashion. The siege camp soon took on the character of a fair, attracting numerous onlookers and their families.<ref>al-Maqqari, ''The History of the Mohammedan dynasties in Spain'', v.2, p.45</ref> But one early morning, when the besiegers were preparing for a much-anticipated festival, Thalaba launched an unexpected sally out of Mérida, and quickly overwhelmed the siege camp, taking as much as ten thousand prisoners, including many women and children. Thalaba marched his prisoners to Córdoba, where he is said to have sold many of the high-ranking Andalusian captives as discount-price slaves.<ref>Levi-Provencal, ''Histoire de l'Espagne musulmane'', Vol. 1, p.46</ref>


Thalaba's authority did not extend much beyond [[Córdoba, Spain|Córdoba]], where the Syrian regiments had hunkered down. Sometime in late 742 or early 743, Thalaba marched onto [[Mérida, Spain|Mérida]], an area of rebel activity, but soon found himself trapped with his small army in the citadel by the Andalusians. Calculating there was no escape, Andalusians carried the siege of Mérida in a leisurely fashion. The siege camp soon took on the character of a fair, attracting numerous onlookers and their families.<ref>al-Maqqari, ''The History of the Mohammedan dynasties in Spain'', v. 2, p. 45</ref> But one early morning, when the besiegers were preparing for a much-anticipated festival, Thalaba launched an unexpected sally out of Mérida, and quickly overwhelmed the siege camp, taking as much as ten thousand prisoners, including many women and children. Thalaba marched his prisoners to Córdoba, where he is said to have sold many of the high-ranking Andalusian captives as discount-price slaves.<ref>Levi-Provencal, ''Histoire de l'Espagne musulmane'', Vol. 1, p. 46</ref>
But by this time, peace parties in both camps had made already made appeals to [[Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi]], the new governor in [[Ifriqiya]], to settle the matter. In early 743, Handhala dispatched his deputy, [[Abu l-Hattar al Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi|Abu al-Khattar al-Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi]] to resolve the quarrel. Being of the same Arab tribal stock as the Andalusians but with a background in the noble circles of Damascus, Abu al-Khattar was expected to play an even-handed role in the Syrian-Andalusian dispute. Abu al-Khattar arrived in Córdoba in March, 743, not long after the battle of Mérida, and took possession of the government with little opposition.


But by this time, peace parties in both camps had already made appeals to [[Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi]], the new governor in [[Ifriqiya]], to settle the matter. In early 743, Handhala dispatched his deputy, [[Abu l-Hattar al Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi|Abu al-Khattar al-Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi]], to resolve the quarrel. Being of the same Arab tribal stock as the Andalusians but with a background in the noble circles of Damascus, Abu al-Khattar was expected to play an even-handed role in the Syrian–Andalusian dispute. Abu al-Khattar arrived in Córdoba in March 743, not long after the battle of Mérida, and took possession of the government with little opposition.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
According to chronicler Ibn al-Hakam, Tha'laba ibn Salama sailed to [[Ifriqiya]] shortly after and served briefly there under [[Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi]] in various military commands.<ref>Ibn Abd al-Hakam, ''History of the Conquest of Spain'', p.39, 41.</ref> Thalaba returned to the east, possibly with Handhala, around the time of the 745 ''coup'' of [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Habib al-Fihri]].


According to chronicler [[Ibn Abd al-Hakam]], Tha'laba ibn Salama sailed to [[Ifriqiya]] shortly after and served briefly there under [[Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi]] in various military commands.<ref>Ibn Abd al-Hakam, ''History of the Conquest of Spain'', p. 39, 41.</ref> Thalaba returned to the east, possibly with Handhala, around the time of the 745 ''coup'' of [[Abd al-Rahman ibn Habib al-Fihri]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}
Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili is reported to have subsequently served as Umayyad governor of al-Urdan ([[Jordan]]) in the late 740s. In 750, Thalaba accompanied the [[Umayyad]] Caliph [[Marwan II]] in his flight to Egypt to escape the [[Abbasids]].<ref>P. Crone (1980) ''Slaves on Horses: The Evolution of the Islamic Polity'', p.171</ref>

Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili is reported to have subsequently served as Umayyad governor of [[Jund al-Urdunn|al-Urdan]] ([[Jordan]]) in the late 740s. In 750, Thalaba accompanied the [[Umayyad]] Caliph [[Marwan II]] in his flight to Egypt to escape the [[Abbasids]].<ref>{{Slaves on Horses|page=171}}</ref>


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri]]}}
{{s-bef
| before = [[Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri]]
}}
{{s-ttl
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Umayyad Governors of Al-Andalus|Governor of Al-Andalus]]
| title = [[List of Umayyad Governors of Al-Andalus|Governor of al-Andalus]]
|years=742-743}}
| years = 742–743
{{s-aft|after=[[Abu l-Hattar al Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi|Abu al-Khattar al-Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi]]}}
}}
{{s-aft
| after = [[Abu l-Hattar al Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi|Abu al-Khattar al-Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi]]
}}
{{end}}
{{end}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Umayyad governors of al-Andalus}}


{{Persondata
| NAME = Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Military commander and governor
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili}}
[[Category:750s deaths]]
[[Category:750s deaths]]
[[Category:8th-century people]]
[[Category:Umayyad governors of Al-Andalus]]
[[Category:Umayyad governors of al-Andalus]]
[[Category:Arab generals]]
[[Category:Generals of the Umayyad Caliphate]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:8th-century Arab people]]

Latest revision as of 10:46, 18 November 2024

Tha'laba ibn Salama al-Amili
ثعلبة بن سلامة العاملي
Governor of al-Andalus
In office
742–743
Personal details
BornSyria
Died750
Egypt
Military service
AllegianceUmayyad Caliphate
Battles/warsBerber Revolt Abbasid Revolution

Tha'laba ibn Salama al-Amili (Arabic: ثعلبة بن سلامة العاملي) was an Arab military commander al-Urdunn, al-Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula, and briefly ruler of al-Andalus from August 742 to May 743.

Thalaba ibn Salama belonged to Banu Amilah of the Yaman faction, like most Andalusian Arabs, rather than the usual 'Qaysid' stock of the Syrians.[1]

Thalaba ibn Salama went to North Africa with the 'Syrian' expedition of 741, led by Kulthum ibn Iyad al-Qasi and his nephew Balj ibn Bishr al-Qushayri, to crush the Great Berber Revolt in the Maghreb. Thalaba was the commander of the Jordan jund and, by explicit credentials of Caliph Hisham, was designated as second successor, should tragedy befall Kulthum or his first successor, Balj.[citation needed]

The Syrian army was defeated and Kulthum killed by the Berber rebels at the Battle of Bagdoura in October 741. Balj ibn Bishr took what remained of the Syrian regiments (junds), some 10,000 men, to Ceuta. After protracted negotiations with the Andalusian governor Abd al-Malik ibn Qatn al-Fihri, Syrian forces were ferried over to al-Andalus in early 742.[citation needed]

After defeating the Berber rebel armies in al-Andalus in the Spring of 742, relations between the Andalusian governor and the Syrian commanders quickly broke down. The Syrian leader Balj ibn Bishr deposed and executed the old governor and declared himself the new ruler of al-Andalus.[citation needed]

But rallied by the sons of the late governor, the Andalusí Arabs (now calling themselves baladiyun or baladis) took up arms against the Syrian junds (which they called the shamiyun). Although the Syrians crushed the Andalusians at the Battle of Aqua Portora outside of Cordoba in August, 742, their commander Balj ibn Bishr died the next day from battlefield wounds. As his lieutenant and designated successor, Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili was immediately acclaimed by the Syrian troops as their head, and consequently governor of al-Andalus.[citation needed]

Thalaba's authority did not extend much beyond Córdoba, where the Syrian regiments had hunkered down. Sometime in late 742 or early 743, Thalaba marched onto Mérida, an area of rebel activity, but soon found himself trapped with his small army in the citadel by the Andalusians. Calculating there was no escape, Andalusians carried the siege of Mérida in a leisurely fashion. The siege camp soon took on the character of a fair, attracting numerous onlookers and their families.[2] But one early morning, when the besiegers were preparing for a much-anticipated festival, Thalaba launched an unexpected sally out of Mérida, and quickly overwhelmed the siege camp, taking as much as ten thousand prisoners, including many women and children. Thalaba marched his prisoners to Córdoba, where he is said to have sold many of the high-ranking Andalusian captives as discount-price slaves.[3]

But by this time, peace parties in both camps had already made appeals to Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi, the new governor in Ifriqiya, to settle the matter. In early 743, Handhala dispatched his deputy, Abu al-Khattar al-Husam ibn Darar al-Kalbi, to resolve the quarrel. Being of the same Arab tribal stock as the Andalusians but with a background in the noble circles of Damascus, Abu al-Khattar was expected to play an even-handed role in the Syrian–Andalusian dispute. Abu al-Khattar arrived in Córdoba in March 743, not long after the battle of Mérida, and took possession of the government with little opposition.[citation needed]

According to chronicler Ibn Abd al-Hakam, Tha'laba ibn Salama sailed to Ifriqiya shortly after and served briefly there under Handhala ibn Safwan al-Kalbi in various military commands.[4] Thalaba returned to the east, possibly with Handhala, around the time of the 745 coup of Abd al-Rahman ibn Habib al-Fihri.[citation needed]

Thalaba ibn Salama al-Amili is reported to have subsequently served as Umayyad governor of al-Urdan (Jordan) in the late 740s. In 750, Thalaba accompanied the Umayyad Caliph Marwan II in his flight to Egypt to escape the Abbasids.[5]

Preceded by Governor of al-Andalus
742–743
Succeeded by

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Crone, Patricia (1980). Slaves on Horses: The Evolution of the Islamic Polity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 171. ISBN 0-521-52940-9.
  2. ^ al-Maqqari, The History of the Mohammedan dynasties in Spain, v. 2, p. 45
  3. ^ Levi-Provencal, Histoire de l'Espagne musulmane, Vol. 1, p. 46
  4. ^ Ibn Abd al-Hakam, History of the Conquest of Spain, p. 39, 41.
  5. ^ Crone, Patricia (1980). Slaves on Horses: The Evolution of the Islamic Polity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 171. ISBN 0-521-52940-9.