hey should conquer. This happened in
442 (A.D. 1050) and was of the greatest significance for the subsequent
fate of Africa.

27. _Reign of Moqtadi_.--In the first year of the Caliphate of
_al-Moqtadi bi-amri'llah_ ("he who follows the orders of God"), a
grandson of Qaim, the power of the Seljuk empire reached its zenith. All
the eastern provinces, a great part of Asia Minor, Syria with the
exception of a few towns on the shore, the main part of West Africa
acknowledged the caliph of Bagdad as the Imam. Yemen had been subjected,
and at Mecca and Medina his name was substituted in the public prayers
for that of the Fatimite caliph. But after the death of Malik-Shah a
contest for the sultanate took place. The caliph, who had in 1087
married the daughter of Malik-Shah, had been compelled two years after
to send her back to her father, as she complained of being neglected by
her husband. Just before his death, the Sultan had ordered him to
transfer his residence from Bagdad to Basra. After his death he stayed
and supported the princess Turkan Khatun. This lost him his life. The
day after Barki-yaroq's triumphant entry into Bagdad, Muharram 487
(February 1094), he died suddenly, apparently by poison.

28. _Reign of Mostazhir_.--_Al-Mostazhir billah_ ("he who seeks to
triumph through God"), son of Moqtadi, was only sixteen years old when
he was proclaimed caliph. His reign is memorable chiefly for the growing
power of the Assassins (q.v.) and for the first Crusade (see CRUSADES).
The Seljuk princes were too much absorbed by internal strife to
concentrate against the new assailants. After the death of Barkiyaroq in
November 1104, his brother Mahommed reigned till April 1118. His death
was followed about four months later by that of Mostazhir.

29. _Reign of Mostarshid._--_Al-Mostarshid billah_ ("he who asks
guidance from God"), who succeeded his father in Rabia II. 512 (August
1118), distinguished himself by a vain attempt to reestablish the power
of the caliph. Towards the end of the year 529 (October 1134) he was
compelled to promise that he would confine himself to his palace and
never again take the field. Not long after he was assassinated. About
the same time Dobais was killed, a prince of the family of the Banu
Mazyad, who had founded the Arabian state of Hillah in the vicinity of
the ruins of Babel in 1102.

30. _Reign of Rashid._--_Al-Rashid billah_ ("the just through God")
tried to follow the steps of his father,