Ziyadet-Allah I

Abu Muhammad Ziyadet-Allah succeeded his brother Abdullah I ( 812 - 817 ). During his reign, the relationship between the ruling dynasty, legalists and Arab troops remained tense. When Ziyadet-Allah tried to disband the Arab troops in 824 , this led to serious uprisings in Tunisia , which could only be suppressed by 836 with the help of Berbers.

Ziyadet-Allah began a campaign in Italy in an attempt to find use for the restless Arab troops, and for this reason, in 827, a gradual reconquest of Sicily from Byzantium began under the leadership of Qadi Asad ibn al-Furat . Although the initial invasion was repelled by the Byzantines, the Arabs were able to conquer Palermo in 831 . The power struggle in mainland Italy provided an additional opportunity for conquest and plunder. Thus, the call for help from the Duke of Naples Bon allowed the Arabs to gain a foothold in southern Italy and begin raids against Christians.

The economic health of the state, in spite of political unrest, allowed for a significant construction program. The Ukba Ibn Nafi Mosque in Kairouan was repaired and refurbished, and the city itself was fortified.

After the death of Ziyadet-Allah, his brother Abu Iqal ibn al-Aghlab ( 838 - 841 ) became the emir.

• played the role of Ziyadet-Allah I in the television series Vikings (season 5).

• Hitti Philip K. A History of the Arabs, 5th ed. London, 1951.