Taifa of Badajoz

The Taifa of Badajoz was a medieval Islamic kingdom that existed in parts of what we now call Portugal and Spain. It was one of many small kingdoms that appeared after the fall of a larger empire called Al-Andalus. The kingdom was centered around the city of Badajoz, which is still an important city today in the region of Extremadura in Spain.

During its time, the Taifa of Badajoz was known for its rich culture and trade. People from different places came to live and work in the kingdom, bringing their traditions and ideas. The leaders of the kingdom built strong walls around Badajoz to protect it from attacks.

Though the Taifa of Badajoz did not last forever, it played a role in shaping the history of the Iberian Peninsula. Its story is part of the larger tale of how many cultures mixed together in this area over many centuries.

History

The Taifa of Badajoz was one of the small kingdoms that appeared in the Iberian Peninsula after the Caliphate of Cordoba broke apart in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. It was founded by Sabur al-Saqlabi, a former slave of perhaps Slavic or Persian origin. The kingdom covered much of ancient Lusitania, including cities like Mérida and Lisbon. After Sabur, his advisor Abdallah ibn al-Aftas took over and started the Aftasid dynasty.

Later, the kingdom faced many changes. It lost land to the Kingdom of León-Castile and battles happened with other groups like the Almoravid dynasty. At one point, the city was taken over by the Almoravids. For a short time, an independent Taifa of Badajoz appeared again from 1144 to 1150 before it was taken over once more.

Emirs of Badajoz

1st Taifa period (11th century)

Banu Sabur (Saqlabi)

• Sabur al-Saqlabi 1009-1022
• Abu Muhammad Abdallah ibn Muhammad al-Sabur al-Saqlabi 1013–1022
• 'Abd al-Aziz ibn Sabur al-Saqlabi 1022
• 'Abd al-Malik ibn Sabur al-Saqlabi 1022 (in Lishbuna)

Banu Aftas (Aftasids)

• Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Maslamah ibn al-Aftas 1022–1044 (Al-Mansur I)
• Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Abdallah al-Aftas 1045–1066 (Modafar I)
• Yahya ibn Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Aftas 1067-1073/1079 (Al-Mansur II)
• Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr Muhammad al-Aftas 1079-1093
• Fadl ibn Muhammad al-Aftas 1080-1093 (in Alqantara)
• Abbas ibn Muhammad al-Aftas 1080-1093 (in Qasr 'Abi Dans)
• Umar ibn Muhamad al-Aftas 1081-1093 (in Martila)
• To Almoravids 1094

2nd Taifa period (12th century)

Banu Wazir

• Siddray ibn Wazir al-Wazir 1142-1145

Banu Hayy

• Hakam ibn Muhammad al-Hayy 1116-1143 (in Alqantara)
• Muhammad ibn Hakam al-Hayy 1146-1149
• To Almohads 1150