The military doctrine of Marwan II reshaped the final years of the Umayyad Dynasty as he attempted to stabilize a rapidly fracturing empire. In this episode of the Islamic History Podcast, we explore the chaotic period leading to the end of the Umayyad Caliphate, starting with the short and troubled reign of Yazid III, nicknamed al-Naqis (the Inadequate).

We examine the ambitious populist agenda and failure of Yazid III, whose violent usurpation of the throne destroyed the regime’s legitimacy and plunged the provinces into anarchy. From the western frontier, we track the fragmentation of the Berber states and rise of heretical sects, including the bizarre Bargawata Confederation in Morocco.

As central authority collapsed, deep-seated ethnic rivalries exploded, fueling the destructive inter-tribal warfare (Mudar vs. Yaman) in Khorasan and Syria. We follow the relentless campaigns of Marwan Ibn Muhammad—dubbed al-Himar (the Donkey) for his endurance on the battlefield—as he brutally crushes rebellions in Homs, Palestine, and Egypt, only to face a massive Kharijite uprising in Iraq. Finally, we witness the collapse of Umayyad central authority and the final civil war, setting the stage for the historic rise of the Abbasids.