Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh (Arabic: ابو طاهر الصائغ, "Abu Tahir the Goldsmith"), recorded as Botherus[1] in Christian sources,[2] was a Persian goldsmith and the chief Nizari Isma'ilida'i of Syria, belonging to the order of Assassins.
The citadel of Afamiyya, briefly held by Abu Tahir al-Sa'igh
Abu Tahir was the second Nizari da'i in Syria sent by Hassan-i Sabbah, replacing al-Hakim al-Munajjim, and enjoying alliance with Ridwan. He kept using the Nizari base in Aleppo, while continuing the Nizari strategy of seizing strongholds in pro-Isma'ili areas, focusing on the Jabal al-Summaq highlands located between the Orontes River and Aleppo. At this time, the authority over the upper Orontes valley was shared between Janah al-Dawlah of Homs, Munqidhites of Shaizar, and Khalaf ibn Mula'ib, the Fatimid governor of Apamea based in its citadel Qal'at al-Mudhiq. Janah al-Dawlah had been murdered in 1103 by al-Hakim al-Munajjim, and Khalaf ibn Mula'ib three years later. Khalaf ibn Mula'ib was probably a Musta'li Isma'ili that refused to cooperate with the Nizari Isma'ilis under Abu Tahir, was murdered in February 1106 with the help of Abu'l Fath of Sarmin, an Ismaili da'i. Abu Tahir and Abu'l Fath subsequently captured Qal'at al-Mudhiq and Apamea by an "ingenious" plan. Tancred, the Frankish regent of the Principality of Antioch besieged Apamea, but was unsuccessful. A few months later he besieged the city again with the help of Mus'ab ibn Mula'ib, brother of the murdered Khalaf, and captured Apamea in September 1106. Abu'l Fath was executed, while Abu Tahir ransomed himself and went to Aleppo.[3]
In 1111, an abortive assassination attempt against Abu Harb Isa ibn Zayd, a wealthy Aleppine Persian, caused a general public resentment of the Nizari Ismailis in Aleppo. Ridwan nevertheless provided support for the Nizaris. Ridwan died in 1113 and the Nizaris of Aleppo were deprived of this important ally. During the short reign of his young son Alp Arslan al-Akhras, who ceded the Balis fortress on the Aleppo–Baghdad road to Abu Tahir. During his anti-Nizari campaign, the Seljuq sultan Muhammad I Tapar sent Sa'id ibn Badi', the rais of Aleppo, to turn Alp Arslan against the Nizaris. Abu Tahir and many other Nizaris in Aleppo were subsequently executed and others dispersed or went underground.[3]
^Throop, Susanna A. (2016). Crusading as an Act of Vengeance, 1095–1216. Routledge. p. 31. ISBN978-1-317-15673-4.
^ abMirza, Nasseh Ahmad (1997). Syrian Ismailism: The Ever Living Line of the Imamate, AD 1100-1260. Psychology Press. pp. 8–10. ISBN9780700705054.
April 18, 2024
tahir, arabic, ابو, طاهر, الصائغ, tahir, goldsmith, recorded, botherus, christian, sources, persian, goldsmith, chief, nizari, isma, syria, belonging, order, assassins, ابو, طاهر, الصائغbornunknownpersiadiedaleppocitizenshipnizari, ismaili, stateemirate, alepp. Abu Tahir al Sa igh Arabic ابو طاهر الصائغ Abu Tahir the Goldsmith recorded as Botherus 1 in Christian sources 2 was a Persian goldsmith and the chief Nizari Isma ili da i of Syria belonging to the order of Assassins Abu Tahir al Sa ighابو طاهر الصائغBornUnknownPersiaDiedAleppoCitizenshipNizari Ismaili stateEmirate of AleppoOccupation s Missionary goldsmithPredecessorAl Hakim al MunajjimSuccessorBahram al Da i The citadel of Afamiyya briefly held by Abu Tahir al Sa ighAbu Tahir was the second Nizari da i in Syria sent by Hassan i Sabbah replacing al Hakim al Munajjim and enjoying alliance with Ridwan He kept using the Nizari base in Aleppo while continuing the Nizari strategy of seizing strongholds in pro Isma ili areas focusing on the Jabal al Summaq highlands located between the Orontes River and Aleppo At this time the authority over the upper Orontes valley was shared between Janah al Dawlah of Homs Munqidhites of Shaizar and Khalaf ibn Mula ib the Fatimid governor of Apamea based in its citadel Qal at al Mudhiq Janah al Dawlah had been murdered in 1103 by al Hakim al Munajjim and Khalaf ibn Mula ib three years later Khalaf ibn Mula ib was probably a Musta li Isma ili that refused to cooperate with the Nizari Isma ilis under Abu Tahir was murdered in February 1106 with the help of Abu l Fath of Sarmin an Ismaili da i Abu Tahir and Abu l Fath subsequently captured Qal at al Mudhiq and Apamea by an ingenious plan Tancred the Frankish regent of the Principality of Antioch besieged Apamea but was unsuccessful A few months later he besieged the city again with the help of Mus ab ibn Mula ib brother of the murdered Khalaf and captured Apamea in September 1106 Abu l Fath was executed while Abu Tahir ransomed himself and went to Aleppo 3 In 1111 an abortive assassination attempt against Abu Harb Isa ibn Zayd a wealthy Aleppine Persian caused a general public resentment of the Nizari Ismailis in Aleppo Ridwan nevertheless provided support for the Nizaris Ridwan died in 1113 and the Nizaris of Aleppo were deprived of this important ally During the short reign of his young son Alp Arslan al Akhras who ceded the Balis fortress on the Aleppo Baghdad road to Abu Tahir During his anti Nizari campaign the Seljuq sultan Muhammad I Tapar sent Sa id ibn Badi the rais of Aleppo to turn Alp Arslan against the Nizaris Abu Tahir and many other Nizaris in Aleppo were subsequently executed and others dispersed or went underground 3 Abu Tahir was succeeded by Bahram al Da i References edit From Persian بوطاهر Bu Tahir Throop Susanna A 2016 Crusading as an Act of Vengeance 1095 1216 Routledge p 31 ISBN 978 1 317 15673 4 a b Mirza Nasseh Ahmad 1997 Syrian Ismailism The Ever Living Line of the Imamate AD 1100 1260 Psychology Press pp 8 10 ISBN 9780700705054 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Abu Tahir al Sa 27igh amp oldid 1072360007, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
