The Role of Zahhak Ibn Gheis Fahri in Political - Military Developments of 1st Century A.H.

At the onset of the establishment of Umayyad government a number of prominent politicians and statesmen were instrumental in strengthening the pillars of this newly-established government. One such porson was Zahhak Ibn Gheis Fahri who during the rule of Yazid ibn Abi-Sufyan in Greater Syria had gone to the region and been employed by Umayyad rulers.Zahhak's name has not been registered in historical texts during the rule of the first three Caliphs except in a namber of Muslim conquests. However, during the caliphate of Imam Ali (A) his prominent role in the promotion of the Umayyad government is highlighted for the first time. In this period, Zahhak was one of Muawiyah's commanders in the Battle of Seffin. He also played a major role in raids launched by Ummayyad forces in western Iraq.When Yazid Ibn Muawiyah ascended the throne, Zahhak's role in the Ummayyad government became even more prominent such that it can be said that during Yazid's rule he was the strongest and greated statesman of the period in the Ummayyad establishment. It was during this same period that Zahhak developed an inclination for Abdollah Ibn Zubayr who had organized a rebellion in Mecca.After the Umayyads agreed on Marwan Hakam as the new ruler in the "Jabiyah Council", they decided to take on Zahhak who enjoyed support from Ibn Zubayr. The two armies met at "Marj Rahit" and Zahhak was badly defeated and eventually killed.