Barmakids

The Barmakid family of wazīrs and administrators, non-Arabs originating from Balkh, in Tukhāristān, provided the first five ʿAbbāsid caliphs with trusted support, companionship, education, and advice and were in charge of many major affairs of state, administrative offices, and military expeditions, until their leading members were removed from power in 187/803 by Hārūn al-Rashīd, for reasons that famously remain mysterious. The Barmakids (Arabic, al-Barāmika) present one of the best-docume…