Aziz al-Dawla

Aziz al-Dawla (d. 1022) was the first Fatimid governor of Aleppo, serving from to his death. An ethnic Armenian, Aziz al-Dawla started his political career as a trusted (slave soldier) of Manjutakin, the Fatimid governor of Damascus under Caliph al-Hakim . The latter appointed Aziz al-Dawla governor of Aleppo, which prospered during his rule.

By 1020, Aziz al-Dawla was acting independently of al-Hakim, asserting his sovereignty by issuing his own coins and having his name pronounced in the (Friday prayer sermon). When al-Hakim sent an army to suppress Aziz al-Dawla, the latter appealed for Byzantine support but canceled the appeal when al-Hakim mysteriously disappeared in early 1021. Afterward, the Fatimid court attempted to reconcile with Aziz al-Dawla, who nonetheless moved to secure his rule by building a well-fortified palace at the foot of the Aleppo citadel. In July 1022, Aziz al-Dawla was murdered in his sleep by one of his trusted in a plot devised by another of his , Abu'l-Najm Badr, with probable backing from al-Hakim's practical successor, Sitt al-Mulk. Badr succeeded Aziz al-Dawla as governor but was arrested three months later.

Early career Aziz al-Dawla was an ethnic Armenian and a of Manjutakin, the Fatimid governor of Damascus, during the reign of Caliph al-Hakim . The 12th-century historian Ibn al-Adim wrote that Manjutakin highly favored Aziz al-Dawla and described him as wise, courageous, and generous. The latter coveted control of Aleppo, while the Fatimids, who controlled the central and southern parts of Syria, saw an opportunity to extend their rule to the city and northern Syria. Fatimid troops from Afamiyah led by Ali ibn al-Dayf had been invited to help Fath maintain control of the city, but as the unrest continued, al-Dayf called for reinforcements. Afterward, al-Hakim dispatched troops from Sidon and Tripoli and compelled Fath to leave Aleppo and take up the governorship of Tyre; Fath had preferred ruling jointly with Salih, but the people of Aleppo rejected Bedouin rule and preferred a Fatimid administration. The move was meant to solidify his friendship with Salih and the Banu Kilab, Upon assuming the governorship, Aziz al-Dawla convinced Fatimid troops in the city that with their assignment being completed they should withdraw to their garrisons in Sidon, Tripoli and Afamiyah.

The succession of al-Hakim's young son al-Zahir as caliph boosted Aziz al-Dawla's confidence, and the Fatimid court, which was effectively controlled by al-Hakim's sister, Sitt al-Mulk, sent him numerous gifts and robes of honor to reconcile with him. The plot, according to medieval Muslim chroniclers, was initiated by Sitt al-Mulk and the Fatimid court. Zakkar speculates that the when Sitt al-Mulk dispatched envoys carrying gifts for Aziz al-Dawla, she also sent them with messages to Badr promising him Aziz al-Dawla's post should he betray his master. Upon his return to the palace, Aziz al-Dawla bathed, ate, had become drunk, then went to bed. While Aziz al-Dawla was sleeping, Tuzun decapitated him with his sword. He was thereafter replaced by separate governors for the city and citadel of Aleppo. By 1025, Salih and the Banu Kilab evicted the Fatimid governors and established Mirdasid rule over the city.

Culture Aziz al-Dawla was a cultured ruler with a particular love for poetry, literature, and philosophy.