In 1909 a rising of Vetma Berbers, fomented by Ismaili propaganda, took out the Aghlabid dynasty in Tunisia, and Ubayd Allah took power.
He assumed the titles of Mahdi and Commander of the Faithful that according to Ismaili doctrine he thought he was the Caliphor or rightful ruler of the Muslims. The value that the Fatimids placed on the ideology, is shown by the founding at Cairo of the University of AlñAzhar, which is still open and one of the oldest Universities in the World. The majority of the people in Egypt and other dominions did not become Ismailis but remained Sunnites.
The Fatimids were great builders, and the decorative arts flourished as did the poetry and other literary papers did.
Although Ubayd Allan tried to conquer Egypt, he was not able to. The conquest was eventually won by his great-grandson Al'Muizz. In the early part of his reign Al'Muizz fought a successful war against the Byzantines in southern Italy. Then in 969 an expedition, led by general Juwhar occupied Egypt.