During the long reign of Hichem Ibn Abd-Al Malik, internal struggles between the Yemeni and Qaysi factions weakened Arab power in Ifriqiya. The abuses of certain governors sparked the anger of Islamic Berber tribes, and the Berber Revolt, led by Maysara, broke out in 122 AH/739 CE and lasted for four years.

A descendant of Oqba, Abderrahmane Ibn Habib, proclaimed himself governor of Ifriqiya a few years before the end of the Umayyad caliphate, which became effective in 132 AH/750 CE. He eventually disavowed the central power embodied by the new caliphate dynasty, the Abbasids, and declared the province's independence.

At the same time, several Kharijite Berber tribal states were established across the Maghreb, and a fugitive Umayyad prince seized Andalusia from the caliphate. Abu Jaafar Al-Mansour, the great Abbasid caliph, raised armies and took years to impose his power in Ifriqiya.

In the meantime, the Muhallabid governors succeeded in ensuring peace and prosperity in the province. The recurrent revolts of the garrison in Tunis threatened their achievements, but a providential man emerged on the scene in Ifriqiya: Ibrahim ibn Al-Aghlab.

We are pleased to have as our guests, Mr. Fathi Bahri, historian and archaeologist specializing in the Middle Ages, former director general of the INP, Mr. Mohamed Ben Abbes, historian specializing in Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages, Mr. Mohamed Hasan, historian specializing in the Middle Ages, and Mr. Faouzi Mahfoudh, archaeologist and historian specializing in Islamic art and architecture and former General Director of the INP (National Heritage Institute).

*The podcast director extends his sincere thanks to the honorable professors Adnan El Ghali and Nouri Boukhchim.