30. The Mad Caliph
If there was a contest for the Middle Ages’ weirdest rule, the Fatimid Caliph Abu Ali Mansur (985 – 1021) would be a serious contender. Better known by his regnal title Al-Hakim bi Amr Allah (“Ruler by God’s Command”), and better yet known by the nickname “The Mad Caliph”, he was one seriously strange figure.
Among other things, the Mad Caliph was afflicted with megalomania that led him to declare himself an incarnation of God. While other rulers who declared themselves gods ended up with universal scorn, the Mad Caliph actually ended up with some adherents. And not just ones who adhered out of fear, but sincere ones who continued their reverence for Al-Hakim long after his death. Indeed, to this day he is still viewed as a divine incarnation by the Druze sect in the Middle East, and as a religiously important figure by some Shi’a Muslims.