Imamate of Yemen: Map & History
The Imams of Yemen, later also titled the Kings of Yemen, were religiously consecrated leaders (imams) belonging to the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam.
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The Imams of Yemen, later also titled the Kings of Yemen, were religiously consecrated leaders (imams) belonging to the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam. They established a blend of religious and temporal-political rule in parts of Yemen from 897. Their imamate endured under varying circumstances until the end of the North Yemen civil war in 1970, following the republican revolution in 1962. Zaydi theology differs from Isma'ilism and Twelver Shi'ism by stressing the presence of an active and visible imam as leader. The imam was expected to be knowledgeable in religious scholarship, and to prove himself a worthy headman of the community, even in battle if this was necessary. A claimant of the imamate would proclaim a "call" (dawah), and there were not infrequently more than one claimant.
Modern Countries Once Part of Imamate of Yemen
At its mapped extent, Imamate of Yemen covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Imamate of Yemen's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Imamate of Yemen in Depth
History
The imams based their legitimacy on descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad, mostly via al-Qasim ar-Rassi (d. 860). After him, the medieval imams are sometimes known as the Rassids. The first of the ruling line, his grandson al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya, was born in Medina. His fame as an intellectual as well as a leader of note, led to his invitation to Yemen. He was summoned to govern the highland tribes in 893 and again in 896–897. Al-Hadi introduced a multitude of policies and practices that evolved into the particular Yemenite Zaydiyyah brand. The efforts of al-Hadi eventually became the basic guidelines for the religious as well as political characteristics of Yemeni Zaydism. Al-Hadi, however, was not able to consolidate his rule in all of Yemen.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Imams of Yemen (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Imamate of Yemen: Key Facts
Preceded by
Succeeded by
- Kingdom of Yemen
Facts from Wikidata Q1042069 (CC0).
Imamate of Yemen Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Imamate of Yemen appears, with the other states of the time.
Imamate of Yemen Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 95,708 km² in 1842 CE.
Imamate of Yemen: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Imamate of Yemen exist?
Imamate of Yemen is dated to 1814 CE – 1872 CE, in the Industrial era.
How large was Imamate of Yemen at its peak?
At its peak in 1842 Imamate of Yemen covered about 95,708 km².
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