Al-Mahdi

MedievalEmperorAbbasid Caliphate744 — 785

Abbasid caliph who fought the Byzantines.

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Quick Facts

Born

744

Died

785

Country

Abbasid Caliphate

Era

Medieval

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)53

Political (20%)68

Influence (20%)59

Legacy (20%)50

Leadership (15%)40

Strategy (15%)58

Total Score54.5

Al-Mahdi — Complete Timeline

762 AD

Construction of Baghdad's Round CityCultural◆ Major

Al-Mahdi oversaw the completion of the Round City of Baghdad, the new Abbasid capital founded by his father al-Mansur. This city became a center of trade, learning, and culture, symbolizing Abbasid power.

Urban DevelopmentCapital City

Impact: globalconstructive

775 AD

Campaign against the ByzantinesWar◆ Major

Al-Mahdi led military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire, including a major expedition in 775 that reached as far as the outskirts of Constantinople. These campaigns were part of the ongoing Arab-Byzantine wars and resulted in territorial gains for the Abbasids.

Arab-Byzantine WarsMilitary Campaign

Impact: regional

779 AD

Suppression of the Kharijite RevoltWar

Al-Mahdi dispatched forces to suppress a Kharijite rebellion in the Jazira region. The revolt was crushed, and its leaders were executed, reinforcing Abbasid control over the region.

Kharijite RevoltInternal Conflict

Impact: regionaldestructive

780 AD

Patronage of the Translation MovementCultural◆ Major

Al-Mahdi supported the translation of Greek, Persian, and Indian scientific and philosophical texts into Arabic. This patronage contributed to the Abbasid Golden Age and the preservation of classical knowledge.

Translation MovementGolden Age

Impact: globalprogressive