…Ar Raqqah at the middle Euphrates. Here…

…Ar Raqqah at the middle Euphrates.

Here he will spend twelve years, most of his reign.

Only once will he return to Baghdad for a short visit.

Several reasons might have influenced the decision to move to ar-Raqqa.

It is close to the border with the Empire.

The communication lines via the Euphrates to Baghdad and via the Balikh river to the north and via Palmyra to Damascus are excellent.

The agriculture is flourishing to support the new Caliphal center, and from Raqqa, any rebellion in Syria and the middle Euphrates area could be controlled.

Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani pictures in his anthology of poems the splendid life in his court.

In ar-Raqqah, the Barmakids will manage the fate of the empire, and there both heirs, al-Amin and al-Ma'mun will grow up.