Al Motasem Becomes Caliph

August, 9, 833 A.D.:
Al Motasem Becomes Caliph

By: Mir M.Hosseini

Al Motasem was hailed Abbasi Caliph on Aug, 9, 833 succeeding his half brother Mamun. He was the son of Harunolrashid and a Turkic slave mother.
One of the most difficult challenges to Caliph Motasem, as faced by his predecessor, was the uprising of Babak Khorramdin, an Iranian commander who rebelled in 817 and overcame a number of Caliphate forces sent against him. Motasem authorized General Afshin to overcome the rebel. Babak was deceived, arrested and brought to Samara. Babak was executed on Aug, 3, 837 and his head was sent to Khorasan.
Motasem fell ill on Oct, 21, 841 and died on January 5, 842. He was succeeded by his son, Al Waseq.

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KEY TERMS:Abbasi , Afshin , Bab , Babak Khorramdin , Caliphate , Harunolrashid , Iran , Iranian , Khorasan , Khorramdin , Mamun , Motasem , Samara , Tur , Turk , Waseq

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