The Buyid Dynasty was a Shia Muslim dynasty that ruled parts of Iran and Iraq from the 10th to the 11th centuries. Founded by the Buyid brothers, it emerged during a time of political fragmentation following the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Buyids are known for their patronage of culture and the arts, as well as their efforts to promote Shia Islam in a predominantly Sunni region. The dynasty's influence peaked under the leadership of Ali ibn Buya, who established control over major cities like Baghdad and Isfahan. The Buyids played a significant role in the political landscape of the Islamic world, often acting as de facto rulers while the Abbasid Caliphs retained nominal authority. Their reign contributed to the cultural and intellectual developments of the era.