History of the World - Civilizations of Western Asia
Seljuk Turks (1040 A.D. - 1242 A.D.)
See also Rochford's History
Overview:
- Territory covered modern Iran, Iraq, and Turkey. See also City of Isfahan
- One of the tribes of the Ghaznavids, nomadic Central Asian horse tribes
- Muslim. Birth of Sufi'ism. Also Assasin cult.
- Early Universities
- Fore-runners of later Ottoman Turks
Timeline:
- 1040 A.D. Dandarqun
- 1055 A.D. Baghdad capitulates
- 1045-1067 Raiding against Byzantines
- 1071 A.D. (19th of August) Victory at Manzikert over the Byzantines
- 1242 A.D. (26th of June) Loss to the Mongols at the battle of Kuzadag
Leaders:
- Tugrul
- Alp Arslan (nephew to Tugrul) Killed by a captive's dagger
- Suleyman (head of Rum)
- Keyhusrev (lost to Mongols - Baidju and Hulagu)
High Points:
- 1st Mental Hospital. Also combined Medical School and Hospital.
- New Calendar in 1079
- University at Baghdad
Assasins:
- Founded by Hasan/as/Sabbah (Hashishiyun), chamberlain to Alp Arslan
- Erotic, fanatical, politically minded
- Use of hashish
Learning and the University:
- Nizam al Mulk, vizar under Alp Arslan
- Use of Persian for administration of the empire
- Omar Khayyam established in 1079 a new calendar (Celalian/Seljukid)
- Nizamiye established an early university at Baghdad
- al Ghazali taught there (math, astronomy)
Sufi'ism:
History of the World
All About Turkey
Turkish Home Page
Cris A Fitch cfitch@alum.mit.edu