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Illustration of Hisham II as a young 10th-century Umayyad caliph in a richly embroidered robe, seated in a palace hall with horseshoe arches and carved stone walls
Ruler Caliphate of Córdoba929–1031

Hisham II

Lived c. 966–1013 (about 47 years)

Also known as
Hisham II al-Hakam

Hisham II was born in Córdoba around 966, the son of Al-Hakam II and Subh. He became the third Umayyad caliph of Córdoba in 976, at the age of ten. Within five years he had handed day-to-day power to Almanzor, who ran the caliphate until his death in 1002. Hisham reigned twice, from 976 to 1009 and again from 1010 to 1013. How his life ended is unknown: some historians say Berber troops killed him, others that he went into exile.

The trace he left in the city is thin. The nearest thing is the ruin field of Medina Azahara, the palace-city that was pillaged and burned in 1010, during the civil war of his second reign. Walk it for the scale of what the caliphate lost; the lost palace-city piece explains the site.

The people around him are easier to follow. Read about his mother, Subh, his father's court in Al-Hakam II and the library, and the man who held his power, Almanzor. For the boy himself, read the full story.

The full story

In their time

  1. Caliphate of Córdoba

    929–1031

    Abd al-Rahman III proclaimed the caliphate in 929, and Córdoba grew to an estimated 500,000 people. Medina Azahara was begun in 936, and the Mezquita was enlarged in 961 and 987.

    1. Medina Azahara

      936 Monument

      Medina Azahara is Córdoba's UNESCO listed Caliphate City: a 10th century palace 8 km from town, with the Salón Rico and award-winning museum. Plan your visit.

    2. Torre Campanario de la Mezquita-Catedral

      951–958 Monument

      Climb 150 steps up the Mezquita-Catedral's 10th-century minaret-turned-bell-tower for 360-degree views over Córdoba's rooftops, Roman Bridge and Alcázar.

    3. Caliphal Baths (Baños del Alcázar Califal)

      961–976 Monument

      Underground 10th-century Islamic hammam beneath Córdoba's Campo Santo square, with star skylights, marble pillars and intact cold, warm and hot rooms.

    4. Abd al-Rahman III

      c. 890–961 Historical figure

      Abd al-Rahman III (890-961), caliph of Córdoba, had Medina Azahara built and enlarged the Great Mosque. See where his trace survives and read his full story.

    5. Al-Hakam II

      915–976 Historical figure

      Al-Hakam II (915-976), caliph of Córdoba from 961, expanded the Great Mosque and its mihrab. See where his trace survives in the city and read his full story.

    6. Hasdai ibn Shaprut

      c. 915–970 Historical figure

      Hasdai ibn Shaprut (c. 915-970) was physician and diplomat to Córdoba's caliphs. Visit the Judería and the Jewish sites that hold the city's later story.

    7. Al-Zahrawi

      c. 936–1013 Historical figure

      Al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis, c. 936–1013), Córdoba surgeon and author of the Kitab al-Tasrif. Find his trace at the Medina Azahara ruins and read the full story.

    8. Almanzor

      c. 938–1002 Historical figure

      Almanzor (c. 938-1002) ruled Córdoba as chamberlain under a puppet caliph. See what remains of his eastern extension of the Mezquita and read his story.

    Go deeper

Read more

Interior of the Great Mosque of Córdoba at golden hour, red and white striped arches receding into shadow, the mosque that abd al-rahman iii enlarged with a new minaret and courtyard façade
Abd al-Rahman III: The Morning Córdoba Became a Caliphate
Ruins of Medina Azahara palace-city near Córdoba at golden hour, the colonnaded throne hall partially reconstructed, where Subh of Córdoba served as regent of the Umayyad Caliphate after 976
Subh of Córdoba: The Slave Who Ruled the Caliphate
Almanzor, al-Mansur billah, vizier of Córdoba — portrait composition in the style of Islamic illuminated manuscripts from al-Andalus, 10th century
Almanzor: The Man Who Dismantled the Caliphate From Inside
The remnants of Madīnat al-Zahrā's grand halls where Al-Hakam II's legendary 400,000-manuscript library once stood, destroyed during the Fitna civil war. Al-Hakam II library Córdoba.
Al-Hakam II's Library: 400,000 Books That Vanished