The Genesis of the Fatimid Vizierate and its Modus Operandi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52541/isiri.v64i1.6027Keywords:
Fatimid caliphate, vizierate, Muslim governance, Egypt, historiography, political institutions.Abstract
The vizier, a pivotal figure in Muslim political history, has often been overlooked in the context of the Fatimid caliphate (297-567/909-1171). While the institution of the vizierate was widespread among Muslim dynasties, its presence and influence within the Fatimid state appear to be inconsistent. Notably, primary and secondary sources of the Fatimid historiography before 362/969, which was during its base in Ifrīqiyyah before the Egyptian conquest, make no mention of viziers, suggesting an absolute absence of the office and the institution. In contrast, the Fatimid sources of Egypt frequently make reference to viziers, indicating a significant shift in the institution’s prominence. Navigating this complexity in Fatimid historiography, this paper focuses on the genesis of the Fatimid vizierate, emphasizing its development into a central administrative institution within the Fatimid caliphate. Through a critical analysis of primary sources, including administrative records and contemporary Fatimid accounts, this study traces the vizierate’s origins and tracks its institutional growth right from the establishment of the Fatimid state in Ifrīqiyyah (297-362/909-969) and its later developments in Egypt (362-567/969-1171). It also distinguishes between the vizier as a title and the vizierate as an institution, highlighting how the connotations of both evolved over time. By contextualizing administrative apparatuses with contemporary political milieus, this research offers new insights into the vizierate’s foundation in the Fatimid State.
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