Al-Mu'izz ibn Badis, the fourth ruler of…
1062 CE
Al-Mu'izz ibn Badis, the fourth ruler of the Zirids in Ifriqiyah, is usually thought to be the author of the famous Kitab `umdat al-kuttab wa `uddat dhawi al-albab (Staff of the Scribes).
It is divided in twelve chapters.
Writing, among other topics, on the excellence of the pen, the author writes on the preparation of types of inks, the preparation of colored inks, metallic inks (including ones prepared from silver filings and alcohol), the coloring of dyes and mixtures, secret writing, the making of paper and the Arabic gum and glue.
He dies in 1062 and is succeeded by his son Tamim ibn Muizz at a time when the Zirid realm finds itself in a state of disintegration following the invasion of the Banu Hilal.
Only the coastal towns are under control, and a reconquest of the hinterland from the Bedouin fails.
With the growth of Bedouin Emirates and the continuing insecurity inland, the economy of Ifriqiya looks increasingly towards the Mediterranean, with the result that the coastal cities will grow in importance through maritime trade and piracy.
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North Africa
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