The comic series chronicles the life and times of Iznogoud, the Grand Vizier of the Caliphate of Baghdad at an undefined period. His greatest desire is to dethrone the Caliph and replace him, leading him to repeatedly utter the phrase "I want to be Caliph instead of the Caliph" –– a phrase that has been adopted in French and some other European languages to characterize overly ambitious people. Iznogoud is supported by his dimwitted yet faithful servant, Dilat Laraht, rendered in English as Wa'at Alahf.