Al-Mada'in

Al-Mada'in was an important ancient city located on the Tigris River in what is now Iraq. It sat 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 tradition continued even after the Arab conquest of Iran. The city's name means "the cities" in both Arabic and Jewish Babylonian Aramaic.

Foundation and constitution

According to old stories, the city of al-Mada'in was first built by legendary kings from Iran named Tahmuras or Hushang, who 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 time of the Sasanian Empire, the city of Ctesiphon grew very large and became very 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, where the Sasanian leaders lived in a place known as the White Palace. The south side, called Aspanbar, was famous for its grand 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 known as Mahoza by Jewish people, Kokhe by Christians, and Behrasir by Arabs. Many wealthy Jewish families lived there, and it was also the home of the Church of the East patriarch. South of Veh-Ardashir was a place called Valashabad.

Later, the city saw many changes and conflicts, including a revolt by Jewish leaders and the movement of people from other places. Despite these events, al-Mada'in remained an important center in the region.

Rashidun and Umayyad period

In 636, the Muslim Arabs defeated the Sasanian Empire in a big battle called the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. 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 arrived in 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 were in charge of protecting and governing al-Mada'in. In 661, al-Mada'in came under the control of the Umayyad Caliphate. Over the years, different leaders governed the city, and at times it faced attacks from groups like the Azariqa.

Abbasid period

In 750, the Abbasid family took control of al-Mada'in and Iraq, naming themselves the new rulers, called the caliphate. In 754, the Abbasid leader al-Mansur held court at Rumiya, part of al-Mada'in. Later, he destroyed the White Palace of al-Mada'in to build a new city, which became Baghdad, the new capital. After Baghdad was built, many people moved there, and al-Mada'in began to decline.

During a conflict 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, making the Caliph serve under him. Later, in 974, a Turkish rebel named Sabuktakin captured al-Mada'in, but 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 but faced challenges from his brother Sharaf al-Dawla, who 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, and during a conflict, the leader of the mosque and his supporters were defeated. The Muslims asked for help from a leader named al-Nasir, who agreed to assist. As a result, the synagogue was torn down.

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

After the time of the Sasanian Empire, Al-Mada'in saw many changes in control. First, the Mongols took over the area, followed by groups called the Jalairids, Kara Koyunlu, Timurids, and Aq Qoyunlu. Each of these groups brought new influences and ways of ruling to the city. During these times, Al-Mada'in continued to be an important place, even as leadership changed hands many times.

Safavid and Ottoman period

The tomb of Salman the Persian was fixed up again when the Ottoman Sultan Murad IV, who ruled from 1623 to 1640, was in power. It was fixed up 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, even after the Arab rulers took control.

After the Arabs captured the city, many people left, but some Persians stayed. Later, 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 been very interesting to archaeologists since the 1700s. One of the most famous places there is the Taq-i Kisra.

Archaeologists have studied many places 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.