Homs: Difference between revisions

In 750, the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasids]] wrested control of Syria, including Homs, from the Umayyads, and the Arab tribes revolted. Despite the prosperity Homs experienced during this era, Abbasid rule was generally not welcomed nevertheless. During and after the reign of Caliph [[Harun al-Rashid]] (796–809), the Abbasid authorities sent numerous punitive expeditions against Homs.<ref name="Dumper"/> Under the reign of Caliph [[al-Mutawakkil]], in October 855, the Christian population [[Homs revolts (854–855)|revolted]] in response to [[jizya|additional taxation]]. The caliph put down the revolt by expelling Christians from the city, burning down their churches and executing members of their leadership.<ref>Gil, 1997, pp. 296–97.</ref>

With Abbasid rule over the Caliphate weakening in the mid-9th century, Homs became sought after by rebel dynasties contending for control of Syria due to the city's strategic position. Initially, the [[Egypt]]-based [[Tulunids]] came into control of it, but they were forced out by the [[Aleppo]]-based [[Hamdanid dynasty|Hamdanids]], who were briefly succeeded by the [[Qarmatians]],<ref name="Dumper"/> after the latter's Turkish rebel ally [[Aftakin]] invaded northern Syria and established Homs as his base.<ref>Gil, 1997, p. 343.</ref> In 891 Muslim geographer [[al-Yaqubi]] noted that Homs was situated along a broad river which served as a source of drinking water for the inhabitants.<ref name="le Strange2"/> It was one of the largest cities in Syria and had several smaller districts surrounding it. In 944 the Hamdanids took definitive control of the city, dominating it until 1016.<ref name="Dumper"/> Arab geographer [[al-Mas'udi]] claimed in the early 10th century that Homs was "noted for the personal beauty of its inhabitants."<ref name="le Strange2">le Strange, 1890, p. 353.</ref> In 985, [[al-Muqaddasi]] noted that Homs was the largest city in all of Syria, but it had suffered "great misfortunes" and was "threatened with ruin." He stated that when the city was conquered by the Muslims they turned half of its church into a mosque.<ref>[[al-Muqaddasi]] quoted in le Strange, 1890, p. 354.</ref>

For around thirty years during the 10th century, Homs was raided by the Byzantines led by [[Nikephoros II Phokas]] in October 968, and its inhabitants were subject to slaughter and plunder while the [[Great Mosque of al-Nuri, Homs|city's mosque]] was briefly restored as a church.{{sfn|Bosworth|2007|p=157}} Throughout most of the 11th century, the Byzantine raids receded greatly and the [[Mirdasid dynasty|Mirdasids]] of the [[Banu Kilab]] tribe ruled over Homs, replacing the Hamdanids. Inclined towards Shia Islam, they did not oppose the Shia [[Fatimid Caliphate]] of Egypt which was aiming to extend its rule into northern Syria and [[Iraq]] at the time. This precipitated a [[Sunni Muslim]] reaction led by the [[Seljuk Turks]] who occupied Homs under the leadership of [[Aq Sunqur al-Hajib]] in 1090.<ref name="Dumper"/>