OLLI Workshop: History of the Middle East

Leader: Theo Pavlidis

Handout No. 7 - December 3, 2012

The 1000-1300 period - Roman Decline - Rise of the Seljuks - Crusaders - Mongols

The Seljuk Empire at its greatest extent, near the end of the 11th century.(Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seljuk_Empire_locator_map.svg)
Eventually the empire broke up with the part in Asia Minor forming the Sultanate of Rum.

The Ayyubid sulatnate (Saladin's) at the end of the 12th century. Crusader states are shown in black (barely visible) along the Mediterranean coast.(Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ayyubid_Dynasty_1171_-_1246(AD).PNG)

Roman empire at 1156 after the losses to the Seljuk Turks and the recoveries as a result of the First Crusade.

Adapted from http://hobbit.ict.griffith.edu.au/~wiseman/Roman/Decline&Fall.html

 

The Latin Empire (light gray), Latin Principalities (textured light gray), and Byzantine possessions in dark gray circa 1205. The Sultanate of Rum has also expanded. The Roman Empire (in black) circa 1288. Some of the break-away Byzantine states (in textured black) recognize the emperor in Constantinople. In the Greek mainland the Principality of Achea and the Duchy of Athens are still in Latin hands as well as the islands of Crete and Cyprus.

Left adapted from http://hobbit.ict.griffith.edu.au/~wiseman/Roman/Decline&Fall.html
Right adapted from http://www.cit.griffith.edu.au/~wiseman/Roman/19Maps.html#1288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Crusades at a Glance
The Crusaders: Western Europeans (French, German, English).
Their Opponents: Mameluk armies under Seljuk or Ayyubid Turk rulers.
The Role of the Byzantines: Originally allies of the Crusaders, very soon Opponents.
Goal: Ostensibly to liberate the Holy Land from Muslim rule. In reality looting of the riches of the region (hence their attacks on the Byzantines).
Crusade Years Leader(s) Comments
People's 1096 Peter the Hermit Slaughtered by the Seljuk Turks in Asia Minor.
First 1097-1099   "Liberation" of Jerusalem. Establishment of four crusader states around Jerusalem, Edessa, Antioch, and Tripoli.
Second 1147-1149 Kings Louis VII and Conrad III Atrocities against the Jews in Rhineland. No gains in the Holy Land. However success in the West, taking Lisbon from the Muslims.
1187
Saladin recovers Jerusalem
Third 1191 Richard the Lionhearted and Frederick I Capture of Cyprus from the Byzantines. Recapture of Acre and Jaffa from the Turks.
Fourth 1204   Capture of Constantinople. Establishment of Crusader states in Byzantine Lands.
Fifth 1217-1221   Some initial success in Egypt, but eventual defeat.
Sixth 1228-1229 Emperor Frederick II Brief recapture of Jerusalem.
Seventh 1248-1254 Louis IX of France Attacks at Egypt, but no gains. Templar Knights appear on the scene.
Eighth 1270 Louis IX of France Diverted to Tunis where Louis died.
Ninth 1272   Did not achieve anything. Last crusader state in Acre fell in 1291.