Ibrahim b. Ahmed b. Moharech b. Hamusk[1] (fl. 1144–1172), known asHemochico in the Christian chronicles,[2] referred to simply asIbn Hamušk,[n. 1] was a warlord in 12th-centuryIberia. He was a close collaborator of his son-in-lawIbn Mardanīsh (the so-called 'Wolf King') in the latter's resistance efforts against theAlmohads. He betrayed Ibn Mardanīsh later in his life, siding with the Almohads.
He was ofMuladi Aragonese[4] or Christian[5] background. In the context of the series of revolts againstAlmoravid rule in the Iberian Peninsula,[6] Ibn Hamušk rose against the Almoravids inHisn Saqubus (Socovos) in 1144, and took overSegura in 1147.[7] Presented as ruler ofMurcia, he and Ibn Mardanīsh (presented as ruler ofValencia) held talks withAlfonso VII in February 1149.[8]
Alongside his son-in-lawIbn Mardanīsh, they created an anti-Almohad stronghold inEastern al-Andalus.[9] They left Murcia at the helm of an army largely consisting of Christian troops and tookJaén in 1159, hereby creating an independent state ruled by Ibn Hamušk centered in the city, which also spanned to other sizeable cities such asÚbeda andBaeza.[10][9] Both Ibn Hamušk and Ibn Mardanīsh allied with Christians to attackCórdoba in 1158–1160,[7] failing to conquer the city but ravaging the countryside. He tookÉcija andCarmona in 1160.[11] He also unsuccessfully laid siege toSeville.[12] He tookGranada in 1162, with the inside help from local Jews who had been reportedly forced to convert to Islam.[13] The city was lost thereafter as an Almohad support army led byAbu Yaqub Yusuf came from overseas and forced Ibn Hamušk and Ibn Mardanīsh to flee east.[14]
He betrayed his son-in-law, perhaps influenced by the alleged mistreatment of his daughter by Ibn Mardanīsh (Ibn Mardanīsh's wife, who was repudiated),[12][15] or because he may have taken offence by some words said by Ibn Mardanīsh after a defeat near Murcia.[16] Whatever the case, he pledged allegiance to the Almohad caliph in 1169.[12][17] The territories of theSierra del Segura passed to Almohad control.[18] He took part in a 1172 offensive at the service of the Almohads, taking away from Christians the places ofVilches andAlcaraz, which were handed to him.[19]
According to Ibn Sa'īd's account, Ibn Hamušk displayed an extremely violent and bloodthirsty behaviour.[20]
