Al-Mu'tazz

Al-Mu'tazz (847 – July/August 869) was the title of the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad from 866 to 869, during the "Anarchy at Samarra". Placed upon the throne by the Turks, he proved but too apt a pupil of his Turkish masters. He became the caliph at 19 he was the youngest Abbasaid Caliph to assume power. He was surrounded by parties each jealous of the other. At Samarra, the Turks were having problems with the "Westerners" (Berbers and Moors); while the Arabs and Persians at Baghdad, who had supported al-Musta'in, regarded both with equal hatred. Al-Mu'tazz was thus surrounded by people who were ready for plot or treachery whether against each other or against al-Mu'tazz:—a poor justification, however, for the course of betrayal and bloodshed which he, not less than they, pursued.