'Izz al-Daula

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'Izz al-Daula (d. 978) was the Buyid amir of Iraq (967-978). He was born Bakhtiyar, and was the son of Mu'izz al-Daula.

In the spring of 955, Mu'izz al-Daula became very ill and decided to name his son as his successor. Five years later, the caliph officially recognized this by granting Bakhtiyar the title of "'Izz al-Daula". During his father's military expeditions, 'Izz al-Daula ruled in Baghdad. Mu'izz al-Daula died in 967, leaving behind several pieces of advice for his son. He recommended keeping the services of the Turkish commander Sebük-Tegin, respecting the wishes of the Turks, recognizing his uncle Rukn al-Daula, who ruled northern Persia, as senior amir, and respecting his cousin 'Adud al-Daula, who ruled from Fars. He also gave a strategy for dealing with the Hamdanids of Mosul.

'Izz al-Daula continued his father's policy of fighting the Shahinids who ruled the Iraqi marshlands, but he was unable to overcome them. At the same time, he ignored the border with the Byzantine Empire, considering this to be a matter for the caliph to handle. When the Byzantines under John I Tzimisces overran much of northern Mesopotamia in 971, he did not even return to Baghdad. The person who took it upon himself to defend Iraq was Sebük-Tegin, who felt himself to be increasingly alienated from the Buyid.

'Izz al-Daula also had financial problems; in 973 he invaded the Amirate of Mosul, against the advice his father had left him. The campaign was a disaster; the Hamdanids marched on Baghdad, while Sebük-Tegin was probably secretly supporting them. The Buyid amir then tried to solve his financial difficulties by seizing the Turkish fiefs, most of which were in Khuzestan. At the same time, he dismissed Sebük-Tegin from his post. The Turk revolted, forcing 'Izz al-Daula to entrench himself in Wasit. He rejected Sebük-Tegin's offer to relinquish Baghdad in exchange of southern Iraq. The Turk then marched on Wasit, and laid siege to the city.

At this point, Rukn al-Daula ordered 'Adud al-Daula to march on Wasit and relieve 'Izz al-Daula. The choice of 'Adud al-Daula was somewhat curious; he had earlier advocated the removal of 'Izz al-Daula due to the latter's perceived incompetence, and had granted asylum to a brother of the Iraqi amir that had launched a failed rebellion in Basra. Despite this, 'Adud al-Daula complied with the order, although he traveled as slow as possible in order to give Sebük-Tegin the chance to overpower Wasit.

'Izz al-Daula, however, managed to hold out, and Sebük-Tegin died during the siege. 'Adud al-Daula therefore eventually decided to restore him in Baghdad. Shortly afterwards however, a revolt launched by 'Izz al-Daula's Daliamite mercenaries gave 'Adud al-Daula the opportunity to overthrow his cousin. Having done so, he would have ruled Iraq directly, but Rukn al-Daula vehemently opposed this. 'Izz al-Daula was therefore made 'Adud al-Daula's viceroy to Iraq. The latter's departure for Shiraz prompted 'Izz al-Daula to immediately revoke his subservience.

Rukn al-Daula's death in 976 threw the Buyid empire into chaos. 'Izz al-Daula refused to recognize 'Adud al-Daula's succession to the position of senior amir. He took new titles for himself, and married one of the caliph's daughters, signifying the caliph's assent to his policy. 'Adud al-Daula then prepared to invade Iraq. Despite having prepared his army and his allies, 'Izz al-Daula was defeated in Khuzestan in 977 and was forced to retreat to Wasit. There he raised a new army, but the two cousins then entered into negotiations. After a long while, 'Izz al-Daula was granted freedom of passage to Syria, in exchange for a promise not to ally with the Hamdanids. When he broke that agreement, hostilities were resumed. Both 'Izz al-Daula and the Hamdanids were defeated in Samarra in the spring of 978, and the Buyid was captured. He was put to death soon after with 'Adud al-Daula's consent.