# Yazid III

> Umayyad caliph in 744

**Wikidata**: [Q128413](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q128413)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazid_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/yazid-iii

## Summary
Yazid III was an Umayyad caliph and politician who ruled briefly in 744 CE. He was a member of the Umayyad dynasty and held the title of caliph, serving as both a political and religious leader within the second Islamic caliphate.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 701 CE
- **Died**: September 25, 744 CE
- **Nationality**: Umayyad Caliphate
- **Known for**: Serving as Umayyad caliph in 744
- **Employer(s)**: Umayyad Caliphate
- **Field(s)**: Governance, Politics
- **Occupation**: Politician, Governor, Caliph

## Contributions
Yazid III held the position of Caliph within the Umayyad Caliphate in 744. As caliph, he held supreme religious and political authority within the state, which was the second Islamic caliphate established in 661 CE. His rule occurred during the Third Fitna (744–747), a period of internal conflict and internal dissent that eventually weakened the dynasty.

## FAQs
- **What was Yazid III's role in history?**
  Yazid III was an Umayyad caliph who ruled in 744, holding supreme political and religious authority during a turbulent period known as the Third Fitna.
- **When was Yazid III born and when did he die?**
  He was born on January 1, 701 CE, and died on September 25, 744 CE.
- **What empire did Yazid III belong to?**
  He belonged to the Umayyad Caliphate, the second Islamic caliphate that ruled from 661 CE until its overthrow in 750 CE.

## Why They Matter
Yazid III matters as a historical figure who led the Umayyad Caliphate during the critical period of the Third Fitna. His brief rule in 744 occurred amidst internal revolts and financial strain that characterized the dynasty's decline. As a caliph, he represented the monarchical succession of Muhammad, a system established by the Umayyads as the first hereditary Islamic caliphate. His tenure illustrates the fragility of the dynasty's final years before the Abbasid Revolution culminated in the overthrow of the Umayyads in 750 CE.

## Notable For
- **Umayyad Caliph**: Held the title of Caliph in 744.
- **Member of Umayyad Dynasty**: Part of the founding family established by Mu'awiya I.
- **Political Leader**: Served as a politician and governor.
- **Historical Figure**: Recognized in historical records with 42 sitelinks and a Freebase ID (/m/028gc0).

## Body

### Early Life and Lineage
Yazid III, also known as Yazid ibn al-Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, was born on January 1, 701 CE. He was a human and a member of the Umayyad dynasty, a prominent family in Islamic history. His lineage connects him to Abd al-Malik, a notable leader who ruled from 685–705 and standardized currency and weights. The Umayyad Caliphate, to which he belonged, was founded by Mu'awiya I in 661 CE following the Rashidun Caliphate.

### Rule as Caliph
Yazid III ascended to the position of Caliph in 744. As caliph, he held the monarchical title based on the claim to be a successor of Muhammad. His rule took place within the context of the Umayyad Caliphate's governance structure, which operated as a centralized bureaucracy with the empire divided into provinces overseen by governors. The capital of the empire during this period was Damascus. His tenure occurred during the Third Fitna (744–747), a time of internal conflicts that weakened the Umayyads.

### Historical Context of the Umayyad Caliphate
The Umayyad Caliphate that Yazid III led was the second Islamic caliphate, established in 661 CE and dissolved in 750 CE. It marked the first hereditary Islamic caliphate, transitioning from the elective system of the Rashidun. The empire covered approximately 11.1 million km² at its peak with an estimated population of 70 million. Key administrative features included the use of Arabic as the official language and a professional army incorporating Arab and non-Arab soldiers.

### Challenges and Decline
During the era of Yazid III, the Umayyad Caliphate faced significant internal dissent from Shia Muslims and non-Arab converts (mawali). These tensions, along with internal revolts and financial strain from rapid expansion, contributed to the dynasty's instability. The Third Fitna, occurring during his rule, was a pivotal series of events that weakened the caliphate. This period of decline eventually led to the Abbasid Revolution (747–750), led by Abu Muslim, which resulted in the overthrow of the Umayyads.

### Death and Succession
Yazid III died on September 25, 744 CE. His death occurred during the early stages of the Third Fitna. Following the eventual collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate in 750 CE, the Abbasid Caliphate succeeded the Umayyads. Despite the fall of the main dynasty, Abd al-Rahman I fled to Al-Andalus to establish the Emirate of Córdoba, preserving elements of Umayyad rule in Spain until 1031.

### Legacy and Records
Yazid III is recorded in various knowledge bases and historical records. His image is preserved in the "Dihrem of Yazid III ibn al-Walid, AH 126.jpg." He has a Freebase ID of /m/028gc0 and a Wikidata description identifying him as an "Umayyad caliph in 744." His historical presence is documented with 42 sitelinks, indicating his recognition across multiple languages and platforms.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013