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The Great Seljuk Empire

The Great Seljuk Empire was the Turkish state which dominated the Middle East and Central Asia in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This book surveys that period, which was one of exceptional importance, witnessing profound demographic, religious, political and social changes in the Islamic Middle East. The Turkish invasions played a role in provoking the Crusades, led to the collapse of Byzantine power in Anatolia and brought about the beginnings of Turkish settlement in what is now Turkey and Iran, permanently altering their ethnic and linguistic composition. Key Features The first book in a western language to offer an overview of this major Islamic empire Provides a narrative history and a thematic analysis of the empire's institutions and aspects of life in the Seljuk world Examines the political, administrative, military, religious, economic and social organization of the Great Seljuk Empire using a wide variety of historical and literary sources Draws on the evidence of archaeology and material culture Illustrated with images, maps, charts, family trees Text boxes introduce key themes and institutionsReceived an honorable mention at the 2016 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Book Prize The Great Seljuk Empire was the Turkish state which dominated the Middle East and Central Asia in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This book surveys that period, which was one of exceptional importance, witnessing profound demographic, religious, political and social changes in the Islamic Middle East. The Turkish invasions played a role in provoking the Crusades, led to the collapse of Byzantine power in Anatolia and brought about the beginnings of Turkish settlement in what is now Turkey and Iran, permanently altering their ethnic and linguistic composition.

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Early Seljūq history : a new interpretation

This book investigates the early history of the Seljuq Turks, founders of one of the most important empires of the mediaeval Islamic world, from their origins in the Eurasian steppe to their conquest of Iran, Iraq and Anatolia. The first work available in a western language on this important episode in Turkish and Islamic history, this book offers a new understanding of the emergence of this major nomadic empire Focusing on perhaps the most important and least understood phase, the transformation of the Seljuqs from tribesmen in Central Asia to rulers of a great Muslim Empire, the author examines previously neglected sources to demonstrate the central role of tribalism in the evolution of their state. The book also seeks to understand the impact of the invasions on the settled peoples of the Middle East and the beginnings of Turkish settlement in the region, which was to transform it demographically forever. Arguing that the nomadic, steppe origins of the Seljuqs were of much greater importance in determining the early development of the empire than is usually believed, this book sheds new light on the arrival of the Turks in the Islamic world. A significant contribution to our understanding of the history of the Middle East, this book will be of interest to scholars of Byzantium as well as Islamic history, as well as Islamic studies and anthropology.

The Great Seljuk Empire

The Great Seljuk Empire was the Turkish state which dominated the Middle East and Central Asia in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. This book surveys that period, which was one of exceptional importance, witnessing profound demographic, religious, political and social changes in the Islamic Middle East. The Turkish invasions played a role in provoking the Crusades, led to the collapse of Byzantine power in Anatolia and brought about the beginnings of Turkish settlement in what is now Turkey and Iran, permanently altering their ethnic and linguistic composition.The first textbook introduction to the history of the Great Seljuk Islamic Empire to be published in English. The Great Seljuk Empire was the Turkish state which dominated the Middle East and Central Asia in the 11th and 12th centuries. This book surveys that period, which was one of exceptional importance, witnessing profound demographic, religious, political and social changes in the Islamic Middle East. The Turkish invasions played a role in provoking the Crusades, led to the collapse of Byzantine power in Anatolia and brought about the beginnings of Turkish settlement in what is now Turkey and Iran, permanently altering their ethnic and linguistic composition. The first book in a western language to offer an overview of this major Islamic empire; It provides a narrative history and a thematic analysis of the empire's institutions and aspects of life in the Seljuk world; examines the political, administrative, military, religious, economic and social organisation of the Great Seljuk Empire using a wide variety of historical and literary sources; draws on the evidence of archaeology and material culture; Illustrated with images, maps, charts and family trees and text boxes introduce key themes and institutions.