Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik

Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik (Arabic: مسلمة بن عبد الملك) was an Umayyad prince, son of the caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. He became one of the most distinguished military commanders of the eighth century, particularly on the northern frontier of the Umayyad state: Anatolia against the Byzantine Empire and the Caucasus region, where he fought against the Khazars.

Maslama's mother was a slave concubine (umm walad), which meant he was not considered eligible for the caliphate in the same way as his half-brothers born of free mothers, although he wielded considerable military and administrative power. He served during the caliphates of al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, Yazid II, and Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik.

The Siege of Constantinople

He is chiefly remembered for leading the siege of Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, in 717–718. The Umayyad forces attacked the city by land and sea, but the defenders' walls, the harsh winter climate, disease, and naval fire weapons (known as Greek fire) caused the siege to fail. The army was forced to withdraw with heavy casualties in men and ships. This failure ended the Umayyad's major attempt to capture the Byzantine capital.

The Caucasus and the Khazar War

Subsequently, Maslama was appointed to command the Caucasus frontier, where the Umayyads faced the Khazar kingdom, a nomadic state that occupied territory north of the Caspian Sea. He administered the regions of Armenia and Azerbaijan at different periods and conducted campaigns in the mountainous passes, including Darband (Baab al-Abwaab). His administration is noted for the construction of military installations and the settlement of Arab tribes in these territories to strengthen the frontier.

Administration of Iraq and internal politics

Maslama was also appointed to administer Iraq and eastern provinces, and he played a role in suppressing internal disturbances arising from tribal and sectarian disputes. His command of the Syrian forces made him a figure consulted during changes in the caliphate, and he occasionally acted as a mediator between his half-brothers and their descendants.

In his later years, Maslama withdrew from military duties and settled on his estates in Syria (Sham). He died around 738–740. Many later historical and Turkish literary accounts link his name to Constantinople, and in Istanbul there are mosques and sites claimed to commemorate the camp he established.