EGYPT, AND 
S Y R I A. 
99 
SECT. II. 
Dynqfty of the Fatimites^ or Ifma'elians. 
» 
Obeid-ullah, who had feized the authority, refigned it foon 
after to his fon Abu-'l-Caflim. Though the new family was of 
Egyptian extract, it pretended to deduce its origin from Fatme, 
daughter of Mohammed, through Ifmael the lixth Imam of the 
pofterity of Ah. 
Abu-'l-Caflim affuming the ftyle of Mahadi^ or real fuccefTor 
of Ali, difplayed talents that fan£tioned his ufurpation. In the 
firft year of his reign he fubdued the Edriflites of the Weft, 
and united all the Mohammedan part of Africa. 
A. D. 912. Abu-'l-Caflim pours three armies into Egypt, 
intending to add that rich province to his other domains. The 
Chalif Muktadir, then reigning at Bagdad, had forefeen this 
defign, which was fruftrated by the defeat of the armies of 
Mahadi, though he took Alexandria. He built a city called 
Mehedie, now Mahdie, on the African fliore, which he deftined 
for the feat of his empire. He died in the fixty-third year of 
his age and twenty-fixth of his reign. 
A. D. 933, His fon Achmed was lefs fortunate. He died 
while his capital Mehedie was befieged by infurgents. 
o 2 
A. D. 
