ALM ANSOR, was the second caliph of the Abas sides, and succeeded his brother in the year 753. No sooner was he seated on the throne, and proclaimed ca liph in Anbar, the capital of the Moslem empire, than his uncle Abdallah-ebn-Ali laid claim to the sovereignty. and levied a powerful army to support his ambitious pre tensions. The forces of Almansor, commanded by Abu Moslem, attacked the rebels on the banks of the Blasius, near Nisibis, and, by a total defeat, in 754, crushed the power of the insurgents. The talents of Abu-Moslem, and the services which he had rendered the caliph, did not screen him from the insidious plans of his enemies. He became an object of jealousy with Almansor, who ordered him to be assassinated in his presence.
The other commotions which disturbed the tranquillity of Almansor's reign, are too insignificant to be narrated here. Having detected a conspiracy to dethrone him, he put to death most of the rebels. His uncle Abdallah, who had been assured of pardon, was confined in a building which was so constructed, as to fall to pieces, and crush him in its ruins. Almansor had the honour of building the city of Bagdad, where he fixed the resi dence of his government, in 768. In 774, when on a
pilgrimage to Mecca, he was seized with a mortal dis ease ; and having sent for his son and successor, Al Mohdi, he gave him the following advice, worthy the at tention of princes. " Treat your relations every where with the greatest marks of distinction. Increase the number of your freedmen, and load them with kindness ; they will he of use to you in adversity : Never permit any of your women to intermeddle in affairs of state, nor to have too much influence over your counsels. These are my last commands, and to God I recommend you.'' Pursuing his journey towards Mecca, he died at Bir Maimun, at the age of 63, and in the 21st year of his reign.
The most opposite qualities were combined in the formation of Almansor's character. In private life, he was mild, affable, and affectionate ; but in the capacity of a sovereign, he was cruel, implacable. and treacher ous. His attachment to the peaceful pursuits of literature and astronomy, was not able to wear off the asperities of his public character. lie had the high honour of being the great grand-father of Almamon. Sec Modern Univ. Hist. vol. ii. p. 100. (o)