Islamic Timeline of RevelationOpen on the timeline →Arabia & the CaliphatesAfricaAsiaMajor empire
Fatimid Caliphate
The Fatimid Caliphate was an Ismaili Shia caliphate founded in Ifriqiya (Tunisia) that conquered Egypt in 969 and founded Cairo. It controlled North Africa, Sicily, the Levant and the Hejaz at its height. Saladin abolished it in 1171.
Key facts
| Dates | 909 CE – 1171 CE |
|---|---|
| Region | Arabia & the Caliphates |
| Continent | Africa, Asia |
| Capitals | Raqqada, al-Mahdiyya, al-Mansuriya, Cairo |
| Founder | Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah |
| Religion(s) | Ismaili Shia Islam |
| Peak extent | ≈ 4.1 million km² (c. 969 CE) – source |
Before & after
Preceded by
Aghlabid Emirate Ikhshidid dynasty Hamdanid dynasty Rustamid dynasty
Followed by
Ayyubid Sultanate Great Seljuk Empire Zengid dynasty Sharifate of Mecca Zirid dynasty Kingdom of Jerusalem County of Tripoli
In the Islamic timeline
- Fatimid Caliphate (Ismaili) — Topic node for the same caliphate.
- Ismailiyyah (Ismaili Shia) — The Fatimid caliphs were Ismaili imams.
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.