Seljuk Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Seljuk Empire?

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Seljuk Empire

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A vast, culturally Turco-Persianate empire that dominated the Near East from 1037 to 1194.

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Origins & Early Life

The Seljuk Empire ( SEL-jook in BrE, sel-JOOK in AmE), or the Great Seljuk Empire, was a high medieval, culturally Turco-Persian empire established and ruled by the Qïnïq branch of Oghuz Turks. The empire spanned a total area of 3.9 million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles) from Anatolia and the Levant in the west to the Hindu Kush in the east, and from Central Asia in the north to the Persian Gulf in the south, and covered the time period 1037–1308, though Seljuk rule beyond the Anatolian peninsula ended in 1194. The Seljuk Empire was founded in 1037 by Tughril (990–1063) and his brother Chaghri (989–1060), both of whom co-ruled over its territories; there are indications that the Seljuk leadership otherwise functioned as a triumvirate and thus included Musa Yabghu, the uncle of the aforementioned two. During the formative phase of the empire, the Seljuks first advanced from their original homelands near the Aral Sea into Khorasan and then into the Iranian mainland, where they would become largely based in a Persianate society. They then moved west to conquer Baghdad, filling the power vacuum created by struggles between the Arab Abbasid Caliphate and the Iranian Buyid Empire.

Career & Major Achievements

The subsequent Seljuk expansion into eastern Anatolia triggered the Byzantine–Seljuk wars, with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 marking a decisive turning point in the conflict in favour of the Seljuks, undermining the authority of the Byzantine Empire in the remaining parts of Anatolia and gradually enabling the Turkification of the region. The Seljuk Empire united the fractured political landscape in the non-Arab eastern parts of the Muslim world and played a key role in both the First and Second crusades; it also bore witness to the creation and expansion of multiple artistic movements during this period. In 1141, the Seljuk Empire suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Qatwan against the Western Liao dynasty, resulting in the loss of vast eastern territories. This defeat greatly weakened the empire, causing internal division and hastening its decline. The Seljuks were eventually supplanted in the east by the Khwarazmian Empire in 1194 and in the west by the Zengids and Ayyubids.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The last surviving Seljuk sultanate to fall was the Sultanate of Rum, in 1308. The founder of the dynasty was Seljuk, a warlord, who belonged to the Qïnïq tribe of Oghuz Turks. He led his clan to the banks of the Syr Darya river, near city of Jend, where they converted to Islam in 985. Khwarezm, administered by the Ma'munids, was under the nominal control of the Samanid Empire. By 999, the Samanids had fallen to the Kara-Khanid Khanate in Transoxiana, while the Ghaznavids occupied the lands south of the Amu Darya.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1037: 1037 Milestone — 5 million square miles) from Anatolia and the Levant in the west to the Hindu Kush in the east, and from Central Asia in the north to the Persian Gulf in the south, and covered the time period 1037–1308, though Seljuk rule beyond the Anatolian peninsula ended in 1194.
2. 1071: 1071 Milestone — The subsequent Seljuk expansion into eastern Anatolia triggered the Byzantine–Seljuk wars, with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 marking a decisive turning point in the conflict in favour of the Seljuks, undermining the authority of the Byzantine Empire in the remaining parts of Anatolia and gradually enabling the Turkification of the region.
3. 1141: 1141 Milestone — In 1141, the Seljuk Empire suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Qatwan against the Western Liao dynasty, resulting in the loss of vast eastern territories.
4. 1194: 1194 Milestone — The Seljuks were eventually supplanted in the east by the Khwarazmian Empire in 1194 and in the west by the Zengids and Ayyubids.
5. 1308: 1308 Milestone — The last surviving Seljuk sultanate to fall was the Sultanate of Rum, in 1308.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Seljuk Empire

True or False: “The Seljuk Empire's control over Anatolia was decisively undermined by the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This battle marked a major turning point, significantly weakening Byzantine authority and enabling the Turkification of Anatolia.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Avicenna — Historical peer (Died in 1037) (1037): Polymath of the Islamic Golden Age, renowned physician and philosopher.
• Hasan-i Sabbah — Historical peer (Born in 1037) (1037): Founder of the Nizari Ismaili movement and ruler of the Alamut fortress.
• Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Born in 1194) (1194): A powerful Hohenstaufen ruler who claimed the mantle of Roman Emperors.
• Guy of Lusignan — Historical peer (Died in 1194) (1194): King of Jerusalem, whose reign was marked by political strife and the fall of the city.
• Albert I of Germany — Historical peer (Died in 1308) (1308): Duke of Austria and Styria, and King of Germany from 1298 until his assassination.
• Duns Scotus — Historical peer (Died in 1308) (1308): Scottish Franciscan philosopher, key figure in late medieval scholasticism.
• Eight Deer Jaguar Claw — Historical peer (Born in 1063) (1063): Powerful Mixtec conqueror and ruler in 11th-century Oaxaca.
• Emperor Renzong of Song — Historical peer (Died in 1063) (1063): Fourth Emperor of the Northern Song Dynasty, known for his long reign.
• Godfrey of Bouillon — Historical peer (Born in 1060) (1060): Pioneering leader of the First Crusade and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
• Henry I of France — Historical peer (Died in 1060) (1060): King of the Franks, whose reign saw the Capetian demesne reach its smallest size.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seljuk Empire