Question
Evaluate the impact of Fatimid ideology on the Islamic world.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are expected to appraise the ways in which and how far Fatimid ideology affected the Islamic world.
Indicative content
• The collapse of the Fatimid Empire limited the influence of their Ismaili doctrines in the Islamic world. The revival of the Sunni orthodoxy in the 11th and 12th centuries under the Seljuks and the emergence of leaders such as Salah al-Din (Saladin) also served to limit Ismaili influence. In addition the reunification of Islam under Salah al-Din and opposition to the West made splinter groups less popular. Their conflict with the other branch of the Shia sect also limited their impact.
• The Ismailis themselves further divided over a dispute about the succession in the Fatimid Empire in 1094 and this weakened their importance. The emergence of the Assassins, a breakaway group from the Fatimids, who created terror in Iran and Syria, further alienated many individuals from embracing Ismaili beliefs. The fact that the Fatimids occasionally allied with Christians against Muslims also reduced their popularity with other Muslims.
• The tolerance of the Ismailis for other religions and sects had not forced conversions to their version of Islam. This meant that they did not develop the numbers of adherents that might have increased their influence.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Examine the reasons why the Abbasids failed to prevent the rise of Fatimid power in North Africa.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates are required to consider the weaknesses and/or failures of the Abbasids in the face of the Fatimid challenge. Some candidates may argue that the Abbasids were powerless to stop the conquest while others may argue that they made mistakes that facilitated the conquest.
Indicative content
• The reasons for the failure of the Abbasids to resist the Fatimids include the fact that the Empire was large and this made it difficult to administer and control. Spain had broken away and a number of local rulers had seized power and/or limited the power of the caliph in areas including Iran, Tunisia and Egypt.
• The caliphs had suffered loss of power and influence and lacked the wealth to maintain forces to control the entire empire.
• The Fatimids took advantage of this weakness and the existence of a separate state in Morocco to establish themselves in North Africa.
• The Abbasids were faced with a number of revolts in various parts of the empire that they struggled to put down. Their inability to suppress all of the uprisings opened the door for the Fatimids to expand.
• The empire was also divided by religious and ethnic issues and between urban and rural areas. This produced opposition to the caliphate and encouraged dissidents to seek new ideas and
leadership. The spread of the empire had made it more complex and diverse and thus harder to unify. The resulting discontent that emerged was helpful to the Fatimids in their quest for power.
The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, the list is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.
Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.
Question
Discuss the impact of the foundation of Cairo (969) on political and social developments in the Fatimid Empire.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of opinions relating to the impact of the foundation of Cairo on political and social developments in the Fatimid Empire. Candidates may choose to discuss political and social developments separately or alternatively stress the interconnectedness of the two. They may note that the political focus of the empire shifted eastwards with the foundation of Cairo and discuss ways in the cosmopolitanism of the city led to racial and religious tolerance and the inclusion of different groups in the administration of the empire. Art and culture flourished and a university was established at the Jamadi al-Awwad mosque. Candidates may stress Cairo’s location as a factor that promoted intellectual enrichment, as academics from the ʽAbbasid and Byzantine empires were attracted to the city.
Question
Evaluate the impact on the Fatimid Empire of either al-Hakim (996–1021) or al-Mustansir (1036–1094).
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates appraise the impact on the Fatimid Empire of one of al-Hakim or al-Mustansir. Such appraisal could include, but need not be limited to, effectiveness of their policies, their relations with other rulers and/or religious groups or how effectively they responded to challenges to the empire. Candidates may suggest that al-Hakim had a positive impact in that he expanded the empire and was closely involved with the development of Cairo as the capital. They may also critique al-Hakim’s impact, noting that he became known for his intolerance particularly towards Christians and has been perceived as being an arbitrary ruler with many decrees against religious groups. For al-Mustansir, while his 60-year reign was the longest of the Fatimid dynasty, it has associations with a period of prolonged decline. Although the empire was prosperous during the first decades of al-Mustansir’s reign, a prolonged famine between 1065 and 1071, a consequence of agricultural neglect, was a watershed. From this point, Egypt endured several internal crises that were largely caused by maladministration and led to a state of almost total collapse in the government of the empire. Under this pressure, al-Mustansir summoned Badral-Jamali, the governor of Acre, to Egypt to provide support. Henceforth, al-Jamali ruled the caliphate in all but name until 1094.