The term "Anarchy at Samarra" refers to the period 861–870 in the
history of the Abbasid Caliphate, which was marked by extreme internal
instability and the violent succession of four caliphs, who became
puppets in the hands of powerful rival military groups. The term
derives from the then capital and seat of the caliphal court, Samarra.
The "anarchy" began in 861, with the murder of Caliph al-Mutawakkil by
his Turkish guards. His successor, al-Muntasir, ruled for six months
before his death, possibly poisoned by the Turkish military chiefs. He
was succeeded by al-Musta'in. Divisions within the Turkish military
leadership enabled Musta'in to flee to
Baghdad
Bonner, Michael (2010). "The waning of empire, 861–945". In Robinson, Charles F. The New Cambridge History of Islam, Volume I: The Formation of the Islamic World, Sixth to Eleventh Centuries. Cambridge University Press. pp. 305–359. ISBN 978-0-521-83823-8. Gordon, Matthew (2001). The Breaking of a Thousand Swords: A History of the Turkish military of Samarra, A.H. 200–275/815–889 C.E. State University of New York Press. pp. 90–104. ISBN 978-0-7914-4795-6. Kennedy, Hugh N. (2004). The Prophet and the Age of the Caliphates: The Islamic Near East from the 6th to the 11th Century (Second ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Ltd. pp. 169–175. ISBN 0-582-40 |