Yazidids

For the Arab tribe in southern Iraq, see Al-Mazeedi.

The Mazyadids, named after their ancestor Mazyad al-Shaybani (also Shaybanids after their original tribe of Shayban or Yazidids after Mazyad's son Yazid), was an Arab family what came to rule over the region of Shirvan (in Azerbaijan) in the late 8th century. From 861 on, with Haytham ibn Khalid's assumption of the ancient Iranian title of Shirvanshah, they practically broke free of Abbasid control and ruled Shirvan more or less independently until the 14th century.

Branches

Mazyadid dynasty was first generation of whole independent Shirvanshahs. Dynasty ruled both Shirvan and Layzan, until latter invaded Shamakhy and united crowns. Dynasty was a vassal and tributary state to Sallarids, Sajids and others. Mazyadid reign is largely unexplored due to lack of sources. Sometimes numismatic evidences are only sources about reign and existence of shahs.

Family tree

Descent from Mazyad, rulers shown in bold.

Aftermath

The Mazyadids were succeeded by Kasranids which is regarded as the start of the cultural Persianization of Shirvan.

Sources

• Sara Ashurbeyli – Shirvanshahs, Baku, 2007