Muhammed III, Sultan of Granada

Muhammed III was a son of Muhammed II al-Faqih and the third Nasrid ruler of the Moorish Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus on the Iberian Peninsula.

Muhammad III was born in 1256 CE. On April 8, 1302 he ascended the Granadine Sultan's throne at the death of his father Muhammed II al-Faqih, whom, it is believed, he poisoned. During the first few weeks of his reign, Muhammed III negotiated peace treaties with the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. The treaty, negotiated in April 1304, required the Nasrids to acknowledge their state as a vassal of Castile. Muhammed III was an unpopular figure and many of his own supporters eventually began to resent him.

Personality

Muhammad III had a complex personality; incredible cruelty combined with a refined culture and upbringing. His erratic, disturbing behavior soon destroyed peace with Castile and Aragon. He allegedly jailed his father's guards in the underground dungeons of the Alhambra and kept the key, threatening anyone with death who helped them. When they cried out for food and water, a remorseful guard threw them some bread. Muhammed III had the guard's throat cut over the mouth of the prison cells, allowing the blood to seep down through the bars onto the prisoners. By contrast, he had a profound interest in learning and art. He wrote poetry, read and studied all hours of the night and was very interested in architecture. He is credited with the construction of the Alhambra known as the Palacio del Partal and for his alterations of the Torre de los Picos.

Revolt

A revolt occurred on March 14, 1309 CE, forcing Muhammed III from Granada. He became an exile in the city of Almunecar, succeeded by his brother Abu'l-Juyush Nasr, who reigned as Nasr, Sultan of Granada. Muhammed III died a year later in March 1310 after an abortive attempt to restore him to power failed; he was blinded and allegedly found drowned in a pool. He was buried on the southern slope of the Alhambra palace's hillside.

References

• The Alhambra From the Ninth Century to Yusuf I (1354). vol. 1. Saqi Books, 1997.