Fatimid Caliphate

The Fatimid Caliphate (909-1171 AD) was a prominent Islamic dynasty that originated in North Africa and claimed descent from Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. Known for its cultural and economic achievements, it established Cairo as its capital and a center of learning and trade. The Fatimids followed a unique interpretation of Islam, promoting Ismailism, and were significant in spreading teachings and art across the Mediterranean. Their rule marked a period of prosperity, religious tolerance, and intellectual advancements, influencing both Islamic and Mediterranean cultures before their eventual decline and conquest by the Abbasids and Crusaders.