Medieval Syria and the Onset of the Crusades: The Political World of Bilad al-Sham 1050-1128 (Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture)

Situates the First Crusade and the formation of the Latin East within the broader framework of Syrian history Re-examines the pre and early Crusading period from a Syrian perspective Presents a reassessment of the broad strategic picture in Syria at a vital point in the timeline of the Medieval Middle East Argues that there was a perceptible military reaction from Syrian rulers to the arrival of the Franks Provides a new chronology for the erosion of Byzantine and Fatimid influence in the region during the late fifth/eleventh century and analyses the extent of Seljuq influence Between 1050 and 1128 the nomadic Seljuq Turks and European Crusaders subjected northern Syria to a series of invasions from the east and west. The migration of militant peoples from the Eurasian Steppe and Western Europe inserted a new set of political elites into a complex frontier zone already beset by numerous conflicts fought along several ethno-cultural and religious contours. Surveying this turbulent chapter of Syrian history from multiple perspectives, this book recalibrates the underlying power dynamics of the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Through this regional focus, it reassesses both the impact that the establishment of Turkish and Crusader lordships had upon bilad al-sham (Greater Syria) and the reactions of Syria’s established ruling elite to this unprecedented sequence of events. Providing a unique reinterpretation of the political situation in bilad al-sham during one of the most important periods in Middle Eastern history, this book proposes a new model for understanding the political dynasties of this period and questions the significance ascribed to the establishment of the Crusader States by modern historians. Medieval Syria and the Onset of the Crusades Medieval Syria and the Onset of the Crusades Contents Figures Note on Names, Transliteration and Abbreviations Abbreviations Principal Historical Figures, Dynasties and Terminology Acknowledgements Introduction: Defining and Exploring the Political World of Bilad al-sham Historiographical Overview The Primary Sources The Scope of this Book Notes Introduction The System of Autonomous Lordships in Syria Byzantine, Fatimid and Seljuq Syria Notes 1. The Byzantine Empire Byzantine Bilad al-sham The Antiochene–Aleppan Balance of Power The Byzantine Political Footprint in the Face of Seljuq Incursions Byzantine Interactions with Local Rulers in Bilad al-sham Conclusion: The Break-up of Byzantine Bilad al-sham Notes 2. The Fatimid Caliphate Fatimid Bilad al-sham The Fatimid Political Footprint in Northern Syria: 442–63/1050–71 The Fatimid Collapse in Southern Syria and Palestine Fatimid Interactions with Local Rulers in Bilad al-sham Conclusion: The Fatimids as ‘the Other’ in Bilad al-sham? Notes 3. The Great Seljuq Sultanate Seljuq Bilad al-sham The Sultan in Bilad al-sham Syrian Campaigns Instigated by Malik Shah The Seljuq Perpetuation of the System of Autonomous Lordships in Syria Seljuq Bilad al-sham in the Sixth/Twelfth Century The Türkmen in Syria Conclusion: Reassessing Seljuq Bilad al-sham Notes Part II. Countering the Crusades? Introduction 4. The Reactions of Seljuq, Fatimid and Syrian Elites The ‘Counter-Crusade’ and ‘la maqam’ Paradigms The Seljuq Counter-Crusade The Fatimid Counter-Crusade Alliance Networks among Syrian Elites in the Early Crusading Era Notes 5. The Notables and Frontiers of Aleppo The Empowerment of Syrian Notables Appeals for Assistance The Frontiers of Bilad halab Revisiting Baldwin II’s Siege of Aleppo Conclusion: Aleppan Notables and the Threat of Frankish Rule Notes Conclusion: Situating the Crusades in Syrian History Appendix I: Chronology of Events Appendix II: Regnal Dates in Bilad al-sham Appendix III: Aleppo under Siege Appendix IV: Damascus under Siege Bibliography Index