8. Overconfidence Backfired Upon Islam’s Last Caliph
Arrogance and overconfidence are bad traits. They are even worse when deployed by somebody in a weak position against an opponent who is overwhelmingly stronger. That was a lesson learned – too late – by Al Musta’sim Billah (1213 -1258), the last ruler of the Abbasid Caliphate, and Islam’s last Caliph. Towards the end of his reign – and as it turned out, the end of his dynasty – Al Musta’sim decided to engage in a medieval version of a flame with the Mongols, led by Hulagu, one of history’s most terrifying generals.
It backfired badly upon Al Musta’sim, a weak ruler ruling a weak rump of what had once been a mighty empire. Worse, it backfired upon his subjects, who paid dearly for their ruler’s failure to accurately assess the situation and act accordingly. The last Caliph had the misfortune to be surrounded by ineffectual advisors, who offered him conflicting advice when the Mongols demanded his submission. He rejected some demands, ignored others, and answered others with bluster and empty threats. However, he failed to prepare adequate defenses against what was sure to follow.
