Arab Tribes, the Umayyad Dynasty, and the `Abbasid ... - Epistemology

Marín-Guzmán: Arab Tribes, the Umayyad Dynasty, and the `Abbasid Revolution 69
this, the former claimed more rights for having participated directly in the
conquest. 55
Contrary to the Sufyanids’ more indirect way of governing, the
Marwanids always tried to balance the ashraf (the tribal leaders) and the
governors through a centralized system of government. The Marwanids
also established an army that was responsible to the Amir al-Mu’minin and
the governors and served as the main instrument for the empire’s centralization,
defense, and administration. For the first time, it was loyal to the
caliph. 56 Syrian troops, who formed the imperial army, were sent to different
parts of the empire to put down revolts, centralize the administration,
and keep direct control of the empire. However, their presence in Iraq and
Khurasan caused further problems, as a result of the antagonism between
Syria and Iraq. Syrian troops were also sent to North Africa and al-Andalus
to stop Berber revolts. For example, Hisham sent Syrian troops (led by Balj
ibn Bishr) to subdue the Berber revolt in North Africa and al-Andalus. In
the Iberian Peninsula, inter-tribal feuds also occurred during the presence
of Syrian troops, since the governorship of al-Andalus was Yemenite.
During the Marwanid period, the caliphs started relying on military men
as governors. Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf is a clear example of a person of humble
origins rising to important positions through military services, which he
began in the shurtah (police) of Damascus. He eventually became the architect
of `Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan’s military, political, and economic
reforms. 57 As part of the centralization program, the Marwanids started new
institutions with a clear purpose. The barid (postal system) was very well
organized both as an efficient communication system and as an excellent
way to keep the government informed about possible problems or revolts in
the provinces. The writing and sealing of documents were developed
through the institutions of diwan al-rasa’il and diwan al-khatam.
The Marwanids also introduced a specific Muslim coinage in their
lands, replacing the old Sasanid and Byzantine coins. Real Muslim coins
were minted under `Abd al-Malik and his governor al-Hajjaj. They were
purely epigraphic and without the ruler’s portrait, for Islam forbids the
depiction of any human or animal figures. 58 Having their own coins, along
with the Syrian army and the centralization plans, gave the Marwanid
Umayyad dynasty, great power, and efficient control of the empire.
`Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (685-705), who succeeded the brief reign
of Marwan I 59 and married a Qaysi woman of the `Abs, supported and relied
on the Qays tribal confederation, especially through the support he gave the
Thaqafi tribe by appointing al-Hajjaj governor of Iraq. By this time, al-