Abu Kalijar Marzuban, also known as Samsam al-Dawla ( ar, صمصام الدولة, Ṣamṣām al-Dawla, Lion of the Dynasty; c. 963 – December 998) was the Buyid amir of

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

(983–987), as well as Fars and Kerman (988 or 989 – 998). He was the second son of 'Adud al-Dawla. The Abbasids recognized his succession and conferred upon him the title Samsam al-Dawla. He lacked the qualities of his father 'Adud al-Dawla and failed to have a grip upon his state affairs. His rule was marked by revolts and civil wars.

Biography

Early life and rise

Abu Kalijar Marzuban was born in 963, the son of Adud al-Dawla and Sayyida ibn Siyahgil, a daughter of Siyahgil, a Gilite ruler, which made Abu Kalijar Marzuban a distant relation to the Ziyarid dynasty, who were in turn descended from a sister of the Gilite ruler Harusindan, the father of Siyahgil. During 'Adud al-Dawla's lifetime, Abu Kalijar Marzuban was assigned the governorships of Buyid

Oman Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of ...

and Khuzestan. Despite Marzuban's status as second son ( Shirdil being the eldest), he was considered to be his father's heir. This issue was never completely clarified by 'Adud al-Dawla before his death, resulting in a succession crisis. Marzuban, who was in Baghdad when his father died, at first kept his death secret in order to ensure his succession. When he made the death of his father public, he took the title "Samsam al-Dawla". Shirdil also claimed the succession, and from his province of Kerman invaded and captured Fars. He took the

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