History of the Turks in the Middle East

By Nelis74
  • Period: 814 to 868

    Slave soldiers (mamluks)

    Turkic slaves were used in the Abbasid's army as soldiers, at first as part of the general army but later as a private army of al-Mutawakkil. They grew in strength and eventually seized power.
  • Period: 1037 to 1194

    Seljuk Empire

    Oghuz Turks who conquered from Khorasan to Persia to Baghdad to Anatolia. --> fight against Byzantines there, which sets the first crusade in motion. Important moment in the development of Turko-Persian culture.
    Technically still under Abbasid rule, but not really.
    Capital in Isfahan Eventually declines after fragmentation through Iqta and Atabeg institutions
  • Period: 1064 to 1072

    Alp Arslan

    Already had some power in Khorasan where he was the governor.
    After succession war with his uncle he became the sultan of the Seljuks.
    Some expansion for the greater Seljuk empire. + battle of Manzikert.
    Killed in Transoxiana.
  • 1071

    Battle of Manzikert

    Battle of Manzikert
    Seljuks (under Alp Arslan) vs. Byzantines (under Romanus Diogenes)
    Seljuks win, this is considered the beginning of the end for the Byzantine Empire and can be seen as one of the roots of the first crusade.
  • Period: 1072 to 1092

    Malik Shah / Nizam al-Mulk

    Malik Shah was the official successor after Alp Arslan, but he basically ruled together with his vizier (minister) Nizam al-Mulk.
    Under their rule some expansion took place and culture blossomed.
    - Jalali calendar was developed (Nowruz or Persian new-years is still celebrated in Iran)
    - Rise and systemization of Madrasas (secular or religious educational institutions)
    The Seljuks now ruled from Syria to China.
  • Period: 1081 to 1303

    Sultanate of Rum (Rum Seljuks)

    A Seljuk sultanate in Anatolia which split of from the greater Seljuks.
    Capital: first Nicaea (Iznik) later Iconium (Konya) Sometimes fought against the greater Seljuks (together with Franks for example). Rum Seljuks end up having an agreement with the Mongols. Which leads them to persist after the Greater Seljuks fall.
  • Period: 1097 to 1231

    Khwarazmian Empire

    Empire in Khwarazm (West Asia) that eventually split of from greater Seljuks and after that ended the Seljuk presence in Iraq and western Iran.
    Established a state until it was destroyed by the Mongols.