Marwan II

Quick Facts: Who was Marwan II?

Subject:

Marwan II

Known for:

Last Umayyad Caliph, whose reign ended the dynasty during the Abbasid Revolution.

Born:

688

Died:

750-08-06

Century / Era:

688s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Marwan ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan (Arabic: مروان بن محمد بن مروان, romanized: Marwān ibn Muḥammad ibn Marwān; c. 691– 6 August 750), commonly known as Marwan II, was the fourteenth and last caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 744 until his death. His reign was dominated by a civil war, and he was the last Umayyad ruler to rule the united Caliphate before the Abbasid Revolution toppled the Umayyad dynasty. Marwan ibn Muhammad was a member of the Marwanid house of the Umayyad Caliphate. He was the son of Muhammad ibn Marwan, making him a grandson of the fourth Umayyad caliph Marwan I and a nephew to the caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and a cousin to Yazid II, the father of al-Walid II. Historical tradition places his birth around 695 CE.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Political opponents weaponized his maternal lineage and non-Arab background to undermine his legitimacy during the civil wars of the Third Fitna. Hostile accounts claimed his mother was a non-Arab concubine of Kurdish origin who was already pregnant when Muhammad ibn Marwan acquired her following the suppression of anti-Umayyad rebels during the Second Fitna in Iraq, leading detractors to attribute his paternity to alternative figures. Such genealogical attacks reflected broader anxieties among the Umayyad elite regarding the political rise of slave-born heirs during the twilight of the dynasty. In 732–733, Caliph Hisham appointed Marwan governor of Armenia. In 735–736, Marwan invaded Georgia, devastated it and then took three fortresses of the Alans and made peace with Tumanshah.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 739–740, he launched further raids and obtained tribute. In 744–745, on hearing news of the plot to overthrow al-Walid II, Marwan wrote to his relatives from Armenia strongly discouraging this. He urged them to harmoniously preserve the stability and well-being of the Umayyad house, however, this was disregarded and many armed men moved into Damascus. Yazid slipped into Damascus and deposed al-Walid in a coup, following this up with a disbursement of funds from the treasury. Following al-Walid's assassination, Sulayman ibn Hisham, who had previously been imprisoned by al-Walid, was released in Transjordan, secured the local provincial treasury, and marched toward Damascus to consolidate his position with the new regime.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 688: Birth of Marwan II — Last Umayyad Caliph, whose reign ended the dynasty during the Abbasid Revolution.
2. 750 (0750-08-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Marwan II passed away on 0750-08-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Marwan II

True or False: “Marwan II's death at the Battle of the Zab was the final blow that ended Umayyad rule in the East.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): His defeat and subsequent death marked the end of Umayyad fortunes in the East, leading to the Abbasid takeover.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Marwan II