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Salim al-Thumi

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Salim al-Thumi
سليم الثومي
Emir of Algiers
Salim al-Thumi on a horse
DiedOctober 1516
Algiers
SpouseZaphira
TribeThaaliba
ReligionSunni Islam

Salim al-Thumi (Arabic: سليم الثومي),[1] also known as Salim at-Tumi, was a leader of the Thaaliba tribe who ruled as emir of Algiers in the early 16th century. He was assassinated in 1516 during the capture of Algiers by Hayreddin and Aruj Barbarossa.[2][3][4]

Biography

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Salim al-Thumi rose to power in Algiers at the beginning of the 16th century, backed by the city's merchant oligarchy. He reportedly married Princess Zaphira, a historical figure whose existence is debated.[5] Legend has it that she poisoned herself to avoid marrying Aruj Barbarossa after her husband's death.[6] The couple allegedly resided in the Jenina Palace.[7]

Reign

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Salim al-Thumi favored appeasement with the Spanish. He agreed to pay tribute and acknowledged the suzerainty of Ferdinand II of Aragon. He also viewed the marabouts (Muslim holy men) as troublemakers and rivals.

However, the people of Algiers chafed under Spanish dominance and desired independence. Inspired by the protection afforded to the inhabitants of Jijel and fueled by old grievances against the Spanish monarchy, the Algerians called upon the corsair brothers, Aruj and Barbarossa,[8] to help them expel the Spanish.

Discredited and unpopular, Salim al-Thumi lost control of the population. He bowed to public pressure and consented to the intervention of the Barbarossa brothers.[9]

Death

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The people of Algiers enthusiastically welcomed Aruj Barbarossa. He seized power in 1516 after assassinating Salim al-Thumi in his bath, as al-Thumi had reportedly conspired with the Spanish and his tribe to eliminate the corsairs.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Lamarque, Marie Lou (2013-02-01). Civilités barbares: Femmes d'Orient et d'Occident. Algérie 1830-1962 - Roman (in French). Editions L'Harmattan. ISBN 978-2-296-53017-1.
  2. ^ Kaddache, Mahfoud (1998). L'Algérie durant la période ottomane (in French). Office des publications universitaires. ISBN 978-9961-0-0099-1.
  3. ^ Cebrià, Ernest Belenguer (1999). Felipe II y el Mediterráneo: Los grupos sociales (in Spanish). Sociedad Estatal para la Conmemoración de los Centenarios de Felipe II y Carlos V. ISBN 978-84-95146-17-5.
  4. ^ Gramaye, Jean-Baptiste; Mansour, Abd El Hadi Ben (1998). Alger, XVIe-XVIIe siècle: Journal de Jean-Baptiste Gramaye, évêque d'Afrique (in French). Cerf. ISBN 978-2-204-05730-1.
  5. ^ Dakhlia, Jocelyne (2005). L'empire des passions: l'arbitraire politique en islam (in French). Aubier. ISBN 978-2-7007-2346-5.
  6. ^ "L'histoire de Zaphira, la dernière princesse du royaume d'Alger - Dziriya.net". 2019-04-20. Archived from the original on 2019-04-20. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
  7. ^ Belachemi, Jean-Louis (1984-01-01). Nous, les frères Barberousse, corsaires et rois d'Alger (in French). FeniXX. ISBN 978-2-213-69444-3.
  8. ^ Kaddache, Mahfoud (1992). L'Algérie durant la période ottomane. Alger: Alger : O.P.U. p. 8. BNF354989706.
  9. ^ Ahmed, BENZELIKHA (2014). La Fontaine de Sidi-Hassan (in French). Editions Casbah. ISBN 978-9947-62-023-6.
  10. ^ Rungs, Henri M. (2005). Les rois de France face à l'Islam (1510-1610) (in French). Mémoire de notre temps.