Subh

Al-Hakam II's spouse

Subh was originally from the Basque people. Her real name was Aurora (“morning dawn”), which was literally translated into Arabic as Subh.

In her youth, she was captured and, as a slave, was sold to the harem of al-Hakam II, who by the time of her accession to the throne in 961 had no sons. Beautiful Subh soon became the Caliph’s beloved wife. Her influence on him increased even more when, in 962, she gave birth to his first child, Abd ar-Rahman, and in 965, the second son, Hisham . Al-Hakam II, who by this time was already about 50 years old, gave his wife rich gifts (including the so-called “Casket from Zamora ”, which has survived to our day), estates, and fulfilled all her requests. Being a very liberal Muslim ruler at that time, al-Hakam II even allowed Subh to leave the palace and walk around Cordoba , but at the same time she had to dress in men's dress and use the Caliph given to her especially for such cases by the name of Kafar.

In 967, a young and energetic Muhammad ibn Abu Amir (later better known as al-Mansur) appeared at the court of the Caliph, taking the post of manager of the estate of the eldest son of the Caliph, Abd ar-Rahman. He soon began to have a significant influence on Subh. It is even supposed that they were lovers. Subh became the patron of al-Mansur, seeking the appointment of Muhammad to the more and more responsible positions: Al-Mansur became the manager and her estates, then the head of the mint, and after his death in 970, Abd ar-Rahman - managing the estates of the new heir to the throne Hisham

Mother of the Caliph

Beginning of Hisham II

On October 1, 976, Caliph al-Hakam II died. In the ensuing confrontation between supporters and opponents of the enthronement of Hisham II, Subh was in the camp of supporters of her son, but nothing is known about her actions in these events.

On October 2, the solemn construction of a new caliph to the throne of the Cordoba Caliphate took place. In the country, due to the minority of Hisham, there was a situation when real power was divided between the two most prominent officials of the country, Hajib Jafar al-Mushafi and al-Mansur. Subh, as the mother of the Caliph, had the status of supreme ruler, without whose approval none of the decisions on governing the state were made. Only by obtaining the formal consent of Subh, al-Mansur was able to first get rid of al-Mushafi, and then from undue influence on the caliph of the servants of Sakalib and the eunuchs .

Hisham II insulation

As a result of the consolidation of the power of al-Mansur at the end of 978 or the beginning of 979, his enemies were united, who decided to kill Hisham II and enthrone their protégé. One of the former commanders of Sakaliba Jawzar volunteered to carry out the murder, but the attack on the Caliph that he committed during the audience failed. The plot was uncovered.

Under the pretext of the possibility of a re-attack, al-Mansur, with the full consent of Subh, began the gradual isolation of the Caliph in his palace al-Zahra. Since in 980, Hisham was supposed to reach his majority, al-Mansur and Subh, who did not want to lose power over the country, began to inspire Hisham, that the Caliph’s main purpose was to show his subjects an example of a truly pious life, and loyal servants. Such words have had a tremendous impact on the influential Hisham II. As a result, the caliph, having become an adult, made no attempt to get into his hands the real power in the country, devoting himself entirely to prayers and the study of the Koran . The transfer of government to the Medina al-Zahara palace built outside the capital in 981 further strengthened the detachment of Hisham II from power.

Subh Plot

Not much is known about the life of Subh in the 980–990s . At first, she shared with Al-Mansur the actual governance of the state, but as the sole authority of Al-Mansur was strengthened, Subh was removed even from the formal approval of his decisions. This situation ceased to organize her and in 997 she organized a conspiracy against al-Mansur.

With the help of eunuchs close to her and the state treasury, located in the caliph's palace, she spread rumors in Cordova about serious disagreements between Hisham II and al-Mansur and about the intention of her son to take control of the country. Residents of Cordoba were on the verge of insurrection against al-Mansur, when he demanded to give him the state treasury, but received a refusal from Subh. In addition, the governor of the North African possessions of the Cordoba caliphate Ziri ibn Atiyah announced support for the caliph and an intention to appear with the troops in the capital.

At this moment, the political talent of al-Mansur manifested himself, who managed to gain an audience with the caliph and convince him of his loyalty. In the conflict between his mother and al-Mansur, Hisham II took the side of the latter: he solemnly entrusted him with the administration of the state and publicly showed signs of respect for him. Seeing that she did not succeed in obtaining support from her son against al-Mansur, Subh retired to one of her estates, where she died in 999 .

• A. Muller. The History of Islam: From Muslim Persia to the Fall of Muslim Spain. - M .: LLC Astrel Publishing House: AST Publishing LLC, 2004. - p. 705-736. - 894 s. - ISBN 5-17-022031-6 .

• Almanzor (939-1002) (Ne.) . The appeal date is January 16, 2009. Archived on February 13, 2012.
• Subh (isp.) . The date of circulation is January 16, 2009. Archived March 24, 2012.
• Bote de Zamora (isp.) . The date of circulation is January 16, 2009. Archived March 24, 2012.