Al-Mada'in

Al-Mada'in was an important ancient city on the Tigris River in what is now Iraq. It was between two other famous old cities, Ctesiphon and Seleucia. The city was founded by the Sasanian Empire.

The name Al-Mada'in was used by Arabs to refer to the Sasanian capital of Ctesiphon. This name was still used even after the Arab conquest of Iran. The city's name means "the cities" in both Arabic and Jewish Babylonian Aramaic.

Foundation and constitution

Old stories say that the city of al-Mada'in was first built by kings from Iran named Tahmuras or Hushang. They called it Kardbandad. Later, the city was rebuilt by another famous king from Iran named Zab, the great king Alexander the Great, and an emperor from the Sasanian Empire named Shapur II. Some tales say that al-Mada'in was made up of several smaller cities, including names like Aspanbur, Veh-Ardashir, Hanbu Shapur, and others.

Sasanian period

During the Sasanian Empire, the city of Ctesiphon grew very big and important. People called it al-Mada'in in Arabic and Mahoza in Aramaic. The oldest part of the city was on the east side, called "the Old City" in Arabic. The Sasanian leaders lived in a place called the White Palace.

The south side, called Aspanbar, was known for its big halls, treasures, games, stables, and baths.

The west side of the city was called Veh-Ardashir, meaning "the good city of Ardashir" in Middle Persian. It was also called Mahoza by Jewish people, Kokhe by Christians, and Behrasir by Arabs. Many wealthy Jewish families lived there. It was also home to the Church of the East patriarch. South of Veh-Ardashir was a place called Valashabad.

Later, the city changed and had some conflicts. But al-Mada'in stayed an important place in the region.

Rashidun and Umayyad period

In 636, the Muslim Arabs won a big battle called the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah against the Sasanian Empire. After this, they attacked the city of Ctesiphon and took control of some parts of al-Mada'in.

When the Muslim leader Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas came to al-Mada'in, the city was empty because many people, including the Sasanian royal family, had left. The Muslims captured some soldiers and took treasures from the Sasanian treasury. Later, leaders like al-Qa'qa' ibn 'Amr al-Tamimi and Shurahbil ibn al-Simt helped protect and govern al-Mada'in. In 661, al-Mada'in became part of the Umayyad Caliphate. Over time, different leaders ruled the city, and sometimes it faced attacks from other groups.

Abbasid period

In 750, the Abbasid family became the rulers of al-Mada'in and Iraq, calling themselves the caliphate. In 754, the Abbasid leader al-Mansur ruled from Rumiya, which is part of al-Mada'in. He later destroyed the White Palace of al-Mada'in to build a new city, Baghdad, the new capital. After Baghdad was built, many people moved there, and al-Mada'in started to decline.

During a disagreement between brothers, al-Amin and al-Ma'mun, al-Mada'in was captured in 812. In 817, people near Baghdad took control of the area, but it was taken back the next year. Later, leaders used parts of al-Mada'in to build new places in Baghdad. In 942, a battle happened nearby between different groups fighting for control of Iraq.

Buyid period

In 945, the Iranian prince Ahmad ibn Buya took control of al-Mada'in and the rest of Iraq. He made the Caliph serve under him.

In 974, a Turkish rebel named Sabuktakin captured al-Mada'in, but he was defeated by 975.

After the death of a leader named Rukn al-Dawla, a fight for power began between two family members. One, 'Adud al-Dawla, won and controlled several areas including Fars, Oman, and Kerman.

When 'Adud al-Dawla died in 983, his son Samsam al-Dawla took over. His brother Sharaf al-Dawla captured al-Mada'in in 987 and then took control of Iraq. Later, other groups tried to take al-Mada'in, but in 1002, a battle led to the city being reclaimed by the Buyid forces.

Seljuq period and Abbasid insurgency

In 1055, the ruler of the Turkic Seljuk Empire, Tughril, came to power in Iraq and made the local ruler obey him.

Later, in 1199, the Jews of al-Mada'in were upset because a mosque was built near their synagogue. They stood up for themselves. The Muslims asked for help from a leader named al-Nasir, who agreed to assist. The synagogue was torn down.

Mongol, Jalairid, Kara Koyunlu, Timurid, and Aq Qoyunlu period

After the Sasanian Empire, Al-Mada'in changed rulers many times. The Mongols took control first. After them, other groups ruled the city. These groups were the Jalairids, Kara Koyunlu, Timurids, and Aq Qoyunlu. Each group brought new ideas and ways to govern. Even with these changes, Al-Mada'in stayed an important place.

Safavid and Ottoman period

The tomb of Salman the Persian was repaired again when the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV, who ruled from 1623 to 1640, was in charge. It was repaired once more between 1904 and 1905.

Population and religion

During the time of the Sasanian Empire, al-Mada'in was home to many different groups of people, including Arameans, Persians, Greeks, and Assyrians. People in the city practiced many religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Some people called Manicheans also lived there.

After the Arabs captured the city, many people left, but some Persians stayed. Leaders from nearby places like Kufa and families from Baghdad moved in. Over time, most of the people moved away, but some still lived there. By the 1300s, most people in al-Mada'in were farmers who followed Twelver Shia Muslim beliefs.

Archaeology

Al-Mada'in has interested archaeologists since the 1700s. One famous place there is the Taq-i Kisra.

Archaeologists have studied many spots around Al-Mada'in, such as:

• Seleucia
• Ctesiphon (once thought to be Opis, but we are not sure where Opis was)
• Aspanbur (also called Isbanir, Asbanabr, Aspanbar, Asfanur)
• Veh Ardashir (also called Bahurasir, Coche, Choche)
• Valashabad (called Balashkert), founded by Vologases I
• al-Ma’aridh
• Tell al-Dhaba’I
• Tell Dhahab
• Umm an Sa’atir

This area is partly under the modern town of Salman Pak.