The Great Seljuk Empire (The Edinburgh History of the Islamic Empires)

1. The Rise of the Seljuks: From the Eurasian Steppe to the Gates of Cairo, c. 965-1092 -- 2. Crisis, Consolidation and Collapse: The Great Seljuk Empire and the Sultanate of Iraq, 1092-1194 -- 3. Sovereignty, Legitimacy and the Contest with the Caliphate -- 4. The Dargāh: Courts and Court Life -- 5. The Kuttāb: Bureaucrats and Administration -- 6. The 'Askar: The Seljuk Military -- 7. Religion and the Seljuk Empire -- 8. The Economic and Social Organisation of the Seljuk Lands -- Conclusion: The Seljuk Legacy.;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 institutions 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.-- 1. The Rise Of The Seljuks: From The Eurasian Steppe To The Gates Of Cairo, C. 965-1092 -- 2. Crisis, Consolidation And Collapse: The Great Seljuk Empire And The Sultanate Of Iraq, 1092-1194 -- 3. Sovereignty, Legitimacy And The Contest With The Caliphate -- 4. The Dargāh: Courts And Court Life -- 5. The Kuttāb: Bureaucrats And Administration -- 6. The 'askar: The Seljuk Military -- 7. Religion And The Seljuk Empire -- 8. The Economic And Social Organisation Of The Seljuk Lands -- Conclusion: The Seljuk Legacy -- Appendix I: Regnal Dates Of Seljuk Sultans, ‘abbasid Caliphs, Khwarazmshahs And Principal Atabegs -- Appendix Ii: Genealogical Chart Of The Seljuk Sultans -- Appendix Iii: Chronological Outline. A.c.s. Peacock. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 338-360), Glossary, And Index. The first textbook introduction to the history of the Great Seljuk Islamic Empire to be published in EnglishReceived an honorable mention at the 2016 British-Kuwait Friendship Society Book PrizeThe 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 FeaturesThe first book in a western language to offer an overview of this major Islamic empireProvides a narrative history and a thematic analysis of the empire's institutions and aspects of life in the Seljuk worldExamines the political, administrative, military, religious, economic and social organization of the Great Seljuk Empire using a wide variety of historical and literary sourcesDraws on the evidence of archaeology and material cultureIllustrated with images, maps, charts, family treesText boxes introduce key themes and institutions" The Seljuks, nomadic tribesman in origin, invaded the Middle East in the 11th century and established themselves as sultans in the Islamic tradition. The Great Seljuk Empire became one of the major empires of Middle Eastern history and dominated Central Asia, Iran, Iraq and Syria in the 11th and 12th centuries.The proposed book will provide the first English language general history of this empire. It will outline the chronological history of the empire and will then explore the religious and institutional history, based on the following themes:• The relationship between tribes and the state• The development of administrative and religious institutions• The nature and impact of Turkish settlement in the Middle East and its consequences• The long-term significance of the religious history of the period• The struggle for legitimacy and authority between sultans, caliphs, religious scholars and amirs• The political role of women in the Seljuk court• The Seljuks and the non-Muslim world. The first English language general history of the Great Seljuk Empire outlines its chronological history and will explores its religious and institutional history.