Kayka'us ibn

(d. shortly after 475/1082–3)

Kaykāʾūs ibn Iskandar ibn Qābūs (or ʿUnṣur al-Maʿālī Kay Kāʾūs) was one of the last Ziyārid rulers, who ruled in the Caspian provinces in the 4th/10th and 5th/11th centuries. His fame entirely rests upon his Qābūs-nāmah, a book of counsel written for his son and intended successor. Topics in the Qābūs-nāmah range from that of kingship, leadership in battle and administration to such daily concerns as commerce and the regulation of family life. Qābūs-nāmah recognizes the importance of duty to God and ethical behavior, but views “expediency as the most practical basis for government”. The work was completed in 475/1082–3. Amīr Kaykāʾūs died shortly after 475/1082–3.