Muhammad VIII (Granada)

Muhammad VIII "the little one" (* 1411 ; † 1431 ) was from 1417 to 1419 and from 1427 to 1429 emir of Granada .

Muhammad VIII was born in childhood, after the death of his father Yusuf III. (1408–1417), Emir of the Nasrid Empire . Under him the power struggles began, which would drag on until the Spanish conquest of Granada in 1492.

The clans of the Abencerrajes / Banu Sarraj and the Banigash faced each other, who fought for greater influence on the government or the emir. Since the parties allied themselves with Aragon and / or Castile , an effective defense of the border areas against Christian attacks was no longer possible. During these disputes, Muhammad VIII was already in 1419 by Muhammad IX. overthrown in alliance with the Abencerrajes.

However, with the help of the Banigash between 1427 and 1429 he was able to assert himself again as ruler in Granada and Muhammad IX. to evict. Muhammad VIII tried to achieve a compromise between the powerful clans of the empire and an armistice with Castile. In the meantime, Muhammad IX. but gain the help of Castile and the Hafsids of Tunis and in 1429 reoccupy Granada.

literature

• Arnold Hottinger : The Moors. Arabic culture in Spain . Wilhelm Fink Verlag, Munich 2005, ISBN 3-7705-3075-6

predecessor	Office	successor
Yusuf III.	Emir of Granada 1417–1419	Muhammad IX
Muhammad IX	Emir of Granada 1427-1429	Muhammad IX