Rise of Military Slaves (Ghilman) and Army Reforms (9th–11th centuries)

1. Al-Mu'tasim becomes caliph and expands ghilman

   Jan 1, 833Labels: Al-Mu'tasim, Turkic ghilman

   • Al Mu tasim
   • Ghilman

2. Samarra founded to house new military regiments

   Jan 1, 836Labels: Samarra, Al-Mu'tasim

   • Britannica Iraq
   • UNESCO Samarra

3. Samarra becomes long-term Abbasid military capital

   Jan 1, 836Labels: Samarra, Abbasid court

   • UNESCO Samarra
   • Britannica Iraq

4. Anarchy at Samarra: military factions dominate succession

   Jan 1, 861Labels: Anarchy at, Ghilman commanders

   • Anarchy Samarra
   • Ghilman

5. Assassination of al-Mutawakkil by Turkic guard

   Dec 11, 861Labels: Al-Mutawakkil, Turkic guard

   • Britannica Mutawakkil
   • Al Mutawakkil

6. Zanj Rebellion highlights strains on Abbasid military system

   Jan 1, 869Labels: Zanj Rebellion, Al-Muwaffaq

   • Britannica Zanj
   • Zanj Rebellion

7. Abbasids defeat Saffarids at Dayr al-Aqul

   Apr 8, 876Labels: Dayr al-Aqul, Al-Muwaffaq

   • Dayr al Aqul
   • Ya qub al

8. Return of the caliphs to Baghdad ends Samarra era

   Jan 1, 892Labels: Baghdad, Samarra legacy

   • Britannica Iraq
   • UNESCO Samarra

9. Amir al-umara created, formalizing military regency

   Nov 10, 936Labels: Amir al-umara, Muhammad ibn

   • Amir al umara
   • Ibn Ra iq

10. Buyids take Baghdad, eclipsing Abbasid military authority

    Dec 1, 945Labels: Buyids, Mu'izz al-Dawla

    • Britannica Buyids
    • Al Mustakfi

11. Seljuq entry into Baghdad reasserts Turkish military dominance

    Dec 1, 1055Labels: Seljuqs, Tughril Beg

    • Britannica Seljuqs
    • Seljuqs Baghdad

12. Al-Mu'tasim forms a Turkic slave-guard

    Jan 1, 8200Labels: Al-Mu'tasim, Turkic ghilman

    • Al Mu tasim
    • Britannica Iraq