Ibn Zamrak

ابن زمرك

1333 CE · 733 AH – 1393 CE · 796 AH

Andalusi poet and vizier from Granada (1333–1393), of humble origin, brought to the Nasrid court by his teacher Ibn al-Khatib. He accompanied Sultan Muhammad V into Moroccan exile and on his restoration became his private secretary and court poet; in 1371 he succeeded his own teacher as vizier and had a hand in his killing. His verses still decorate the fountains and palaces of the Alhambra. Imprisoned for nearly two years by Yusuf II, he was murdered at home on Muhammad VII's orders while reading the Quran.