The Seljuk Turks

Introduction

Jan 15, 1037

The Muslim world was shaken in 1037 with the invasion of the Seljuk Turks from the northeast. The Seljuks created a very large Middle Eastern empire and in pushing at the Byzabtine Empire gave Pope Urban II justification for unleashing the crusades. The Seljuks built the fabulous Friday Mosque in the city of Isfahan.

Tughril Beg

Jan 15, 1040

Tughril Beg 990–1063, founder of the Seljuk Turk dynasty ruling (11th–14th cent.) parts of Anatolia, Iraq, Persia, and Syria. Tughril Beg conquered Persia (1040–44) and Iraq (1055). His ideology sought to reinforce unity in the Islamic world. By 1060 he had assumed control of former Buyid territory.

Capturing Baghdad

Jan 14, 1055

Before establishing a powerful empire in Persia the Turks captured Baghdad where Tugrul Bey forced the caliph to reconize him as the Sultan or temporary leader. The turks however believed they were the rightful owners of all land and were keen to extend their kingdom.

Seljuk Turks

Jan 14, 1060

The first nomadic turkish tribe, converts to islam, to successfully conquer parts of Asia. They were fearsome warriors that was quick, brutal and effective through their military exploits. Unfortunetullay their empire wasn't effective resulting in many revolts.

Alp Arslan

Jan 15, 1065

In 1065 he led the Seljuks in an invasion of Armenia and Georgia and in 1066 attacked the Byzantine Empire. The success of his campaign was crowned (1071) by his brilliant victory over Romanus IV at Manzikert.

Battle of Manzikert

Jan 14, 1071

In 1071 the Seljuk Turks engaged their army seljuk turks against the Bysantine empoeror at Manzikert. The battle was a resounding victory for the Seljuks,Within a few years there were Turkish tribes in many parts of Anatolia but the Seljuks were now the main power in this borderland between Islam and Christianity.

Seljuk Sultanate(heart) of Rum

Jan 14, 1080

Rum, meaning Rome, uch closer to Constantinople, in about 1080. They make Nicaea their capital until it is recovered by the Byzantines during the first crusade, in 1097. In 1099 Konya, strategically placed in the centre of Anatolia, becomes the Seljuk capital.

Confrontation

Jan 15, 1092

The first Turks in Holy Land were the Seljuqs, who had reached the Mediterranean in the eleventh century. The Seljuks eventually created a Turkish empire from Central Asia to the Byzantine empire in Asia Minor. The first three Seljuq sultans: Tughril Beg, Alp Arslan, and Malikshah created an efficient, cohesive, Sunni Muslim state under the nominal authority of the weak Abbasid caliphs at Baghdad. However, after Malikshah died in 1092, internal Turkish conflicts fragmented the Seljuq Empire. Alt

Access to Jerusalem

Jan 15, 1095

Christians took pilgramige to the holy land but by the 11th century, however, the situation had changed. Just as the number and frequency of pilgrimages to Jerusalem was at new peaks, the Seljuk Turks took over control of Jerusalem and prevented pilgrimages.

Decline 1200

Jan 15, 1200

By 1100 Seljuq power was finished. The successful Crusader strategy however, ended with Saladin's combination of the Islamic culture. Saladin defeated the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem on 4 July 1187 at the Battle of the Horns of Hattin; and captured Jerusalem in 1200

Ottoman Empire

Jan 17, 1451

The Ottoman state began as one of many small Turkish states that emerged in Asia Minor during the breakdown of the empire of the Seljuk Turks. The Ottoman Turks began to absorb the other states, and during the reign (1451–81) of Muhammad II they ended all other local Turkish dynasties.