Beginning in 1745, the Wahabi movement swept across and united most of the peninsula by calling for the purification of Islam through a literal view of the Koran. King lbn Saud (1882-1953), a descendant of Wahabi leaders, took power in 1901, merged independent areas, created an entity that was both political and religious, and legitimized his monarchy and succession by being the defender of Islamic holy areas, beliefs, and values.