Yazid ibn Abd al‑Malik, commonly known as Yazid II, was the eighth caliph of the Umayyad dynasty, ruling the Islamic Caliphate from 720 to 724 CE. He succeeded his brother, Caliph Sulayman, and was succeeded by his cousin, Hishām ibn Abd al‑Malik.
Early life and family
- Born circa 687 CE in Damascus, the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate.
- Son of Caliph Abd al‑Malik ibn Marwan (r. 685–705) and a member of the Banu Umayya tribe.
- Married to multiple wives from prominent Arab families, strengthening political alliances within the Umayyad elite.
Reign (720–724 CE)
- Administrative policies: Continued the centralization of fiscal administration established by his father, maintaining the collection of the kharāj (land tax) and jizya (non‑Muslim poll tax).
- Military campaigns: Oversaw ongoing conflicts on multiple fronts:
- In the west, the Umayyad forces faced resistance from the Berber populations in North Africa.
- In the east, he dispatched expeditions to maintain Umayyad authority in Transoxiana and to counter the advancing Türgesh.
- Religious stance: Took a more conciliatory approach toward the Arab Qurʾānic orthodoxy, attempting to moderate the heavy-handed policies of his predecessor, Sulayman, especially regarding taxation of non‑Arab converts (mawali).
- Infrastructure: Continued the development of public works, including the restoration of roads and the reinforcement of fortress towns (ribāṭs) along the empire’s frontiers.
Domestic affairs
- Managed internal dissent among the Arab tribal factions, balancing the interests of the Yemeni (southern) and Qaysi (northern) tribal groups.
- Implemented regulations to curb the power of provincial governors, aiming to reduce corruption and ensure more direct control from the capital.
Death and succession
- Died in 724 CE in Damascus, likely from natural causes.
- His death led to the accession of Hishām ibn Abd al‑Malik, who ruled until 743 CE.
Historical assessment
Yazid II’s four‑year reign is regarded by scholars as a period of relative stability within the Umayyad Caliphate, characterized by administrative continuity and measured military activity. While not as prominently featured in historical narratives as some of his predecessors or successors, his governance contributed to the maintenance of Umayyad authority during the early 8th century.
