Anarchy at Samarra

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The Anarchy at Samarra was a period of instability of the Abbasid Caliphate from 861 to 870, when different factions of the military vied for power and control while the caliphs were overpowered by these factions.

The Anarchy

The troubles for Baghdad began as a result of the murder of the caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 861 by a young thief Basim Ibn Ishaq. This action was later twisted into rumors, which relayed that the Turkic soldiers were behind the attack. Meanwhile, the Turkic Army later fell under the control of the Order of the Ancients and the soldiers were led by their general and Order member Wasif al-Turki.During this turmoil, the Order, led by the Head of the Snake, Qabiha, reset their plans to control Baghdad, despite her own personal and political fall.

After the death of Al-Mutawakkil, a series of caliphs reigned but each rarely lasted a few years. Reigning as the caliph, Al-Musta'in took reign in 862 after the death of Al-Mutawakkil's successor al-Muntasir, he placed his cousin and other son of Al-Mutawakkil Abu 'Abdallah under house arrest due to his opposition of Al-Musta'in's rule. Consequently, this initiated another civil war within the empire. By early 866, Al-Mustain was deposed and exiled as caliph. He was later executed on the orders of his successor Abu 'Abdallah near the end of the year. By 870, after the death of the caliph al-Muhtadi, the anarchy ceased.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage (first appearance)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)