Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo
Encyclopedia
Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo born and died in Córdoba
, was the son of Almanzor
and chief minister of Hisham II
, Caliph of Córdoba.
His originally Christian mother was Abda (born Urraca), daughter of Sancho II of Pamplona
, after whom he was named; Sanchuelo being the diminutive of Sancho; because he looked like his Christian grandfather.
Almanzor actually had all power in his hands but nominally recognized the suzerainty of the caliph. His son and successor Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar
acted in the same way.
When Abd al-Malik died, his younger brother Abd al-Rahman succeeded him on 20 October 1008. He used his great influence and forced the weak caliph to designate him as his heir (November 1008). Therefore the population of Córdoba was very angry. They had already disliked the rule of Almanzor because he had recruited for his safety many Berbers
as mercenaries. Abd ar-Rahman was accused to have poisened his brother Abd al-Malik.
When Abd al-Rahman went on an expedition against King Alfonso V of León
(February 1009), the citizens of Córdoba rose against him. They were led by Muhammad II al-Mahdi, a member of the dynasty of the Umayyads. Muhammad II al-Mahdi dethroned his relative Hisham II, became new caliph and destroyed the residence of Abd al-Rahman called al-Madina al-Zahira (= "the flourishing city"). On receiving these news Abd al-Rahman returned to Córdoba but his troops abandoned him. He was arrested and later assassinated by the order of al-Mahdi.
Córdoba, Spain
-History:The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 32,000 BC. In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy...
, was the son of Almanzor
Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir
Abu Aamir Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abi Aamir, Al-Hajib Al-Mansur , better known as Almanzor, was the de facto ruler of Muslim Al-Andalus in the late 10th to early 11th centuries. His rule marked the peak of power for Moorish Iberia.-Origins:He was born Muhammad Ibn Abi Aamir, into a noble Arab...
and chief minister of Hisham II
Hisham II
Hisham II was the third Caliph of Cordoba, of the Umayyad dynasty. He ruled 976–1009, and 1010–1013 in the Al-Andalus ....
, Caliph of Córdoba.
His originally Christian mother was Abda (born Urraca), daughter of Sancho II of Pamplona
Sancho II of Pamplona
Sancho II Garcés Abarca was King of Pamplona from 970 until his death. He was the son of García Sánchez I and Andregota, daughter of Galindo Aznárez II, Count of Aragon...
, after whom he was named; Sanchuelo being the diminutive of Sancho; because he looked like his Christian grandfather.
Almanzor actually had all power in his hands but nominally recognized the suzerainty of the caliph. His son and successor Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar
Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar
Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar was hajib of Cordoba from the death of his father Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir in 1002 until his own death in 1008. He was succeeded by his half-brother Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo....
acted in the same way.
When Abd al-Malik died, his younger brother Abd al-Rahman succeeded him on 20 October 1008. He used his great influence and forced the weak caliph to designate him as his heir (November 1008). Therefore the population of Córdoba was very angry. They had already disliked the rule of Almanzor because he had recruited for his safety many Berbers
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
as mercenaries. Abd ar-Rahman was accused to have poisened his brother Abd al-Malik.
When Abd al-Rahman went on an expedition against King Alfonso V of León
Alfonso V of León
Alfonso V , called the Noble, was King of León from 999 to 1028. He was the son of Bermudo II by his second wife Elvira García of Castile. The Abbot Oliva called him "Emperor of Spain"....
(February 1009), the citizens of Córdoba rose against him. They were led by Muhammad II al-Mahdi, a member of the dynasty of the Umayyads. Muhammad II al-Mahdi dethroned his relative Hisham II, became new caliph and destroyed the residence of Abd al-Rahman called al-Madina al-Zahira (= "the flourishing city"). On receiving these news Abd al-Rahman returned to Córdoba but his troops abandoned him. He was arrested and later assassinated by the order of al-Mahdi.