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Morocco's playboy sultan - Moulay Ismail

Moulay Ismail is one of Morocco's most renowned – and notorious – sultans. Reigning at the end of the 17th century he built the city of Meknes, sometimes called the Versailles of Morocco, expanded Moroccan territory to include today's Algeria and Western Sahara – as well as servicing he largest harem in history.

Ismail ruled from 1672 to 1727 after succeeding his brother who died falling from his horse. The twenty-six year old inherited a country weakened by internal tribal wars and royal successions. He set about his new task with relish swiftly defeating the Ottoman Turks throwing the Europeans out of several seaports. He created a permanent army of some 140,000 black troops, a legendary guard built up through slaving expeditions in the south. He also stated a human breeding programme.

Yet not only was he a warrior, the sultan also had a taste for women. He is said to be the father of more than 1000 children (a reliable account has the actual number at 1042). Like others of his dynasty Ismail claimed to be a descendant of the prophet Mohammed. This vast number of children perhaps explains why many Moroccans today make a similar claim. His harem - legendary throughout the Arab world – stood at more than 500 women.

Moulay Ismail was also known as a fearsome ruler. He ruled by force of personality and fear: '...many of the people about him bear the marks of his sword, lance or short sticks. If he chances to kill anybody when he was not determined their death (as frequently happens) he civilly begs their pardon, and says, he did not design to kill that poor man and lays the fault on God, saying his time was come...' John Braithwaite, History of the Revolutions.

Indeed, the sultan's brutal nature seems to have troubled him as he got older (he died at 80): '...waking from sleep he has been heard to call upon those he had murdered. He asks for them whom he has killed but the day before; and if his attendants answer 'he is dead', the sultan presently replies, 'who killed him?' To which they must answer, 'I suppose God did,' unless they have half a mind to follow.'

After Moulay Ismail's death in 1727, there was another succession battle between his surviving sons. His successors continued with his great building program, but in 1755 the huge palace compound at Meknes was severely damaged by an earthquake. By 1757 his grandson, Mohammed III had moved the capital to Marrakech.