procure money
from his mother Qabiha, who was enormously rich, was seized upon and
tortured, and died of starvation in prison (Shaaban 255, July 868).

The dismemberment of the empire continued fast in these years, and the
caliph was compelled to recognize the virtual independence of the
governors Ya'qub the Saffarid (see SAFFARIDS and PERSIA, _History_, S B)
in Seistan, and Ahmad b. Tulun in Egypt.

14. _Reign of Mohtadi._--Immediately after the seizure of Motazz, the
Turks, led by Salih b. Wasif, proclaimed as caliph one of the sons of
Wathiq with the title of al-Mohtadi billah ("the guided by God"), who,
however, refused to occupy the throne until his predecessor had solemnly
abdicated. Mohtadi, who was a man of noble and generous spirit and had
no lack of energy, began by applying the precarious measure of power
which was left him to the reform of the court. He banished the musicians
and singers, and forbade all kinds of games; he devoted himself to the
administration of justice, and gave public audiences to the people for
the redress of their grievances. At the same time he contrived to
elevate the power of the Abna, the descendants of those Persian soldiers
who had established the dynasty of the Abbasids, in order to break the
supremacy of the Turks and other mercenaries. But Mohtadi came too late,
and the Turks did not leave him time to finish his work.

On the news of the conspiracy against Motazz, Musa, the son of the
famous general Bogha,[39] then governor of Media (Jabal), ordered his
deputy-general Moflih to return at once from a proposed invasion of
Dailam, and moved with his army towards Samarra, notwithstanding the
peremptory orders of the caliph. At his approach Salih, who was afraid
of Musa, hid himself, but was soon discovered and killed. At that moment
a Kharijite, named Mosawir, who in 867 had risen in Mesopotamia and
beaten more than one general of the government, took Balad and menaced
Mosul. Musa could not refuse to comply with the formal command of the
caliph to march against him. During the absence of these troops, Mohtadi
seems to have tried to get rid of the principal Turkish leaders. A
brother of Musa and one of his best generals, Bayikbeg (Baiekbak), were
killed, but the soldiery he had gained over for himself were not strong
enough. Mohtadi was overwhelmed and killed, Rajab 256 (June 870).

15. _Reign of Motamid._--Whether from weariness or from repentance, the
Turkish soldiery disconti