Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo

Who was Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo?

Abd al-Rahman Sanchuelo, born and died in Córdoba, was the son of Almanzor that became chief minister of Hisham II, Caliph of Córdoba.

His originally Christian mother was Abda, daughter of Sancho II of Pamplona, after whom he was named; Sanchuelo being the diminutive of Sancho; because he looked like his Christian grandfather.

Almanzor actually had all power in his hands but nominally recognized the suzerainty of the caliph. His son and successor Abd al-Malik al-Muzaffar acted in the same way.

When Abd al-Malik died, his younger brother Abd al-Rahman succeeded him on 20 October 1008. He used his great influence and forced the weak caliph to designate him as his heir. Therefore the population of Córdoba was very angry. They had already disliked the rule of Almanzor because he had recruited for his safety many Berbers as mercenaries. Abd ar-Rahman was accused of poisoning his brother Abd al-Malik.

When Abd al-Rahman went on an expedition against King Alfonso V of León, the citizens of Córdoba rose against him. They were led by Muhammad II al-Mahdi, a member of the dynasty of the Umayyads. Muhammad II al-Mahdi dethroned his relative Hisham II, became new caliph and destroyed the residence of Abd al-Rahman called al-Madina al-Zahira. On receiving these news Abd al-Rahman returned to Córdoba but his troops abandoned him. He was arrested and later assassinated by the order of al-Mahdi.