Slaves and Silver across the Strait of Gibraltar: Politics and Trade between Umayyad Iberia and Khārijite North Africa
Adam Gaiser
Abstract Iberian Umayyad relations with the Ibāḍī Rustumids and Ṣufrī Midrārids have not been well understood. After an initial period of Khārijite rebellion against Umayyads in 120s/740s, which revolutions North Africa spilled over into Peninsula, profound ties developed between amīrs, Midrārid Rustumid imāms. In far Maghrib, where ‘Abbāsid power did reach, trade—especially trade human beings—brought these erstwhile political religious enemies together. Relationships groups lasted beyond destruction dynasties early fourth/tenth century. This paper re-examines textual numismatic evidence for Ibāḍī, Ṣufrī, (and even ‘Abbāsid) order to propose that strong economic interests based primarily slave underlay late second/eighth century groups.
Medieval Encounters