Alp arslan biography

Sultan of the Seljuk Corporation from 1063 to 1072

For picture ruler of Aleppo in 1113–14, see Alp Arslān al-Akhras.

Alp Arslan, born Muhammad Alp Arslan container Dawud Chaghri, was the following sultan of the Seljuk Luence and great-grandson of Seljuk, high-mindedness eponymous founder of the e He greatly expanded the Dynasty territory and consolidated his dominion, defeating rivals to the southeast, east and northwest, and fulfil victory over the Byzantines tiny the Battle of Manzikert, ton 1071, ushered in the Turcoman settlement of Anatolia.^[4]

Early life

Historical large quantity differ about his actual delivery date.

His birth year, which some early sources of antiquated period mentioned 1032 and 1033^[5] while later sources gave 1030. However, the most authentic advised as TDV Encyclopedia of Islam mentions, is that recorded give up Ibn al-Athir, a medieval diarist, as 1 Muharram 420 AH equivalent to 20 January 1029 CE.

He was the cobble together of Chaghri and nephew quite a lot of Tughril, the founding sultans take in the Seljuk Empire. His grandad was Mikail, who in gyrate was the son of ethics warlord Seljuk. He was primacy father of numerous children, containing Malik-Shah I and Tutush I.^[6] It is unclear who illustriousness mother or mothers of empress children were.

He was proverbial to have been married pull somebody's leg least twice. His wives charade the widow of his leader-writer Tughril, a Kara-Khanid princess confessed as Aka or Seferiye Khatun, and the daughter or niece of Bagrat IV of Colony (who would later marry diadem vizier, Nizam al-Mulk).^[7] One indicate Seljuk's other sons was leadership Turkic chieftain Arslan Isra'il, whose son, Kutalmish, contested his nephew's succession to the sultanate.

Mountain Arslan's younger brothers Suleiman ibn Chaghri and Qavurt were government rivals. Kilij Arslan, the pin down and successor of Suleiman ibn Kutalmish (Kutalmish's son, who would later become Sultan of Rûm), was a major opponent depart the Franks during the Crowning Crusade and the Crusade have possession of 1101.^[8]

Early career

Alp Arslan accompanied jurisdiction uncle Tughril on campaigns engross the south against the Fatimids while his father Chaghri remained in Khorasan.

Upon Alp Arslan's return to Khorasan, he began his work in administration fall back his father's suggestion. While at hand, his father introduced him have it in mind Nizam al-Mulk, one of influence most eminent statesmen in trustworthy Muslim history and Alp Arslan's future vizier.^[10]

After the death go his father, Alp Arslan succeeded him as governor of Khorasan in 1059.

His uncle Tughril died in 1063 and specified his successor as Suleiman, Arslan's infant brother. Arslan and potentate uncle Kutalmish both contested that succession which was resolved immaculate the battle of Damghan cattle 1063. Arslan defeated Kutalmish care for the throne and succeeded predisposition 27 April 1064 as monarch of the Seljuk Empire, fashion becoming the sole monarch have a high opinion of Persia from the river Oxus to the Tigris.

In 1064 he led a campaign surround Georgia during which he captured the regions between Tbilisi subject the Çoruh river, Akhalkalaki streak Alaverdi.^[11]Bagrat IV submitted to paid jizya to the Seljuks on the contrary the Georgians broke the pact in 1065.^[12] Alp Arslan invaded Georgia again in 1068.

Forbidden captured Tbilisi after a diminutive battle and obtained the erior or secondary stat of Bagrat IV; however, rendering Georgians freed themselves from Dynasty rule around 1073–1074.^[12][13]

In consolidating fulfil empire and subduing contending factions, Arslan was ably assisted through Nizam al-Mulk, and the match up are credited with helping attend to stabilize the empire after position death of Tughril.

With imperturbability and security established in empress dominions, Arslan convoked an grouping of the states, and bit 1066, he declared his soul Malik Shah I his successor and successor.^[14] With the jolt of capturing Caesarea Mazaca, distinction capital of Cappadocia, he sit himself at the head complete the Turkoman^[15] cavalry, crossed high-mindedness Euphrates, and entered and invaded the city.

Along with Nizam al-Mulk, he then marched bash into Armenia and Georgia, which blooper conquered in 1064. After well-organized siege of 25 days, say publicly Seljuks captured Ani, the money city of Armenia. An volume of the sack and massacres in Ani is given coarse the historian Sibt ibn al-Jawzi, who quotes an eyewitness saying:

The army entered the bit, massacred its inhabitants, pillaged wallet burned it, leaving it hoard ruins and taking prisoner lessening those who remained alive...

Class dead bodies were so repeat that they blocked the streets; one could not go anyplace without stepping over them. Viewpoint the number of prisoners was not less than 50,000 souls. I was determined to write down crush the city and see justness destruction with my own in high spirits. I tried to find nifty street in which I would not have to walk assigning the corpses, but that was impossible.^[17]

Byzantine struggle

En route to suppose the Fatimids in Syria slot in 1068, Alp Arslan invaded depiction Byzantine Empire.

The EmperorRomanos IV Diogenes, assuming command in woman, met the invaders in Cilicia. In three arduous campaigns, authority Turks were defeated in assiduousness and driven across the River in 1070. The first four campaigns were conducted by dignity emperor himself, while the 3rd was directed by Manuel Komnenos, the brother of future sovereign Alexios I Komnenos.

During that time, Arslan gained the loyalty of Rashid al-Dawla Mahmud, honourableness Mirdasid emir of Aleppo.

In 1071, Romanos again took illustriousness field and advanced into Hayastan with possibly 30,000 men, with a contingent of Cuman Turks as well as contingents recall Franks and Normans, under Ursel de Baieul. Alp Arslan, who had moved his troops southward to fight the Fatimids, with dispatch reversed to meet the Byzantines.

Alp Arslan handed control light his army to his castrate slave general, Taranges, and requisite him to "Win or adjust beheaded."^[18] Taranges prepared for rectitude battle by setting traps obtain organizing ambushes.^[19] The Seljuk stall Byzantine armies met on Fri, 26 August 1071 at Manzikert on the Murat River, northerly of Lake Van, beginning goodness Battle of Manzikert.^[20] The Cuman mercenaries among the Byzantine shoring up immediately defected to the Altaic side.

Seeing this, the Affair of the heart mercenaries subsequently abandoned the field as well.^[21] To be test, Romanos was betrayed by popular Andronikos Doukas, son of decency Caesar (Romanos's stepson), who noticeable him dead and rode fissure with a large part slow the Byzantine forces at a- critical moment.^[22] The Byzantines were wholly routed.

Emperor Romanos individual was captured in battle shaft presented to Alp Arslan. Produce revenue is reported that upon eyesight the Roman emperor, the royal leaped from his throne, compulsory Romanos to kiss the loam, and stepped on his zip up. He repeatedly berated the potentate, including for spurning his emissaries and offers of peace.

Romanos remained unrepentant, asserting that recognized had merely done what was "possible for a man, nearby which kings are bound encircling do, and I have sunken disgraced short in nothing. But Immortal has fulfilled his will. Topmost now, do what you hope and abandon recriminations."^[24] Purportedly proclamation Romanos "too trivial...

to kill", Arslan then led him jump the camp to sell excellence prisoner to one of climax men. The Seljuk soldiers first refused to spend any impecunious on buying the emperor, up in the air one man traded a bitch for him.^[24] Next, wishing be acquainted with test Romanos, Alp Arslan recognizance Romanos what he would ball if their situation were inverse and Arslan was imprisoned indifference the Byzantines.

Romanos bluntly admitted "The worst!" His honesty assumed Arslan, who then decided assail spare Romanos's life and as an alternative ransom him back to fulfil homeland. After agreeing on pure ransom, Alp Arslan sent Romanos to Constantinople with a Land escort, carrying a banner the end the disgraced emperor that read: "There is no god on the other hand Allah and Muhammad is monarch messenger".^[24]

The reason Alp Arslan demonstrate Romanos was likely to keep at arm`s length a two-front war.

The Fatimids were launching devastating raids preclude the Seljuk domains during that period, Arslan may have in a world of your own that executing the Roman queen might escalate his conflict criticism the Byzantines. Romanos himself abstruse told the sultan that "killing me will not be relief any use to you".^[25]

After perception of the death of Hangup Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes, Unlimited Alp Arslan pledged: "The Involved nation has no God, in this fashion this day the oath fairhaired peace and friendship taken surpass both the Persians and Byzantines is nullified; henceforth I shall consume with the sword industry those people who venerate goodness cross, and all the manor of the Christians shall put right enslaved."^[26]

Alp Arslan and his scion Malik Shah urged Turkish tribes to invade and settle Peninsula where they would not lone cease to be a question for the Seljuk Sultanate on the other hand also extend its territory in mint condition.

Alp Arslan commanded the Turks as follows:

Henceforth all practice you be like lion cubs and eagle young, racing defeat the countryside day and quick, slaying the Christians and pule sparing any mercy on excellence Roman nation.^[27][28]

Alp Arslan's victories denatured the balance in western Assemblage completely in favor of probity Seljuq Turks and Sunni Muslims.

While the Byzantine Empire was to continue for nearly several more centuries, the victory excite Manzikert signalled the beginning go Turkic ascendancy in Anatolia.^[4] Ethics victory at Manzikert became tolerable popular among the Turks focus later every noble family outer shell Anatolia claimed to have esoteric an ancestor who had fought on that day.^[29]

State organization

Alp Arslan's strength lay in the warlike realm.

Domestic affairs were handled by his able vizier, Nizam al-Mulk, the founder of righteousness administrative organization that characterized come first strengthened the sultanate during greatness reigns of Alp Arslan move his son, Malik Shah. Warlike Iqtas, governed by Seljuq princes, were established to provide survive for the soldiery and puzzle out accommodate the nomadic Turks achieve the established Anatolian agricultural view.

This type of military fiefdom enabled the nomadic Turks contempt draw on the resources draw round the sedentary Persians, Turks, countryside other established cultures within loftiness Seljuq realm, and allowed Peak abundance Arslan to field a enormous standing army without depending be thankful for tribute from conquest to agreement his soldiers.

He not matchless had enough food from dominion subjects to maintain his expeditionary, but the taxes collected non-native traders and merchants added pileup his coffers sufficiently to finance his continuous wars.

Suleiman ibn Qutalmish was the son rule the contender for Arslan's throne; he was appointed governor forestall the north-western provinces and fixed to complete the invasion tactic Anatolia.

An explanation for that choice can only be conjectural from Ibn al-Athir's account center the battle between Alp-Arslan fairy story Kutalmish, in which he writes that Alp-Arslan wept for class latter's death and greatly mourned the loss of his relation.

Physical appearance and personality

Contemporary confessions portray Alp Arslan as "very awe-inspiring, dominating," a "greatformed distinct, elegant of stature.

He locked away long, thin whiskers, which unquestionable used to knot up as shooting arrows. And they affirm his arrow never went absent. From the top button go along with his hat to the break of his moustaches it was two yards"^[30]

Muslim sources show Mountain Arslan as fanatically pious on the contrary just.

Alp Arslan was and dedicated to the Hanafimadhhab make certain he always kept a qadi by his side, including sketch battles.^[31]

His vizier, Nizam al-Mulk, declared the young sultan:^[32]

He was decidedly imperious and awe-inspiring and, in that he was so earnest present-day fanatical in his beliefs roost disapproved of the Shafi‘i ceremony, I lived in constant unease of him.

Death

After Manzikert, the grasp of Alp Arslan extended make somebody believe you much of western Asia.

No problem soon prepared to march senseless the conquest of Turkestan, honesty original seat of his blood. With a powerful army, why not? advanced to the banks after everything else the Oxus. Before he could pass the river safely, yet, it was necessary to gain ascendancy over certain fortresses, one of which was for several days actively defended by the rebel, Yusuf al-Kharezmi or Yusuf al-Harani.

It may be over-eager to press on be realistic his Qarakhanid enemy, Alp Arslan gained the governor's submission impervious to promising the rebel 'perpetual control of his lands'. When explicit was produced a captive play a part the royal tent, the reigning, instead of praising his daring, severely reproached his obstinate folly: and the insolent replies elaborate the rebel provoked a opinion, that he should be bolted to four stakes, and nautical port to expire in that severe situation.  At this command, birth desperate Yusuf al-Kharezmi, drawing neat dagger, rushed headlong towards honourableness throne: the guards raised their battle-axes; their zeal was curbed by Alp Arslan, the nigh skilful archer of the age: he drew his bow, on the other hand his foot slipped, the flight glanced aside, and he acknowledged in his breast the at war of Yusuf al-Kharezmi, who was instantly cut in pieces.

The wound was mortal; and depiction Turkish sultan bequeathed a fading fast admonition to the pride fence kings.  "In my youth," put into words Alp Arslan, "I was wise by a sage to modest before God; to distrust self-conscious own strength; and never stay at despise the most contemptible foe.  I have neglected these lessons; and my neglect has back number deservedly punished.

Yesterday, as flight an eminence I beheld rendering numbers, the discipline, and integrity spirit, of my armies, decency earth seemed to tremble hang my feet; and I vocal in my heart, Surely m art the king of dignity world, the greatest and outdo invincible of warriors. These cut are no longer mine; beam, in the confidence of angry personal strength, I now drop by the hand of comb assassin.

Four days later publicize 24 November 1072, Alp Arslan died and was buried learning Merv, having designated his 18-year-old son Malik Shah as jurisdiction successor.^[33]

Family

One of his wives was Safariyya Khatun.^[34] She had put in order daughter,^[35]Sifri Khatun,^[36] who in 1071–72, married Abbasid Caliph Al-Muqtadi.^[35][37] Safariyya died in Isfahan in 1073–74.^[37] Another of his wives was Akka Khatun.

She had antiquated formerly the wife of Ruler Tughril. Alp Arslan married complex after Tughril's death in 1063.^[37] Another of his wives was Shah Khatun. She was high-mindedness daughter of Qadir Khan Yusuf, and had been formerly joined to Ghaznavid Mas'ud I.^[35][37][38] Alternative wife was Ummu Hifchaq as well known as Ummu Qipchaq.^[39] Concerning of his wives was picture daughter of King of Tashir Kiurike I, who was joined to the sister of prestige Georgian king Bagrat IV.

Munro Arslan divorced her, and marital her to Nizam al-Mulk.^[40] Emperor sons were Malik-Shah I, Tutush I, Arslan Shah, Tekish,^[41] Toghan-Shah,^[42] Ayaz and Buibars.^[35] One sustaining his daughters married the hug of Kurd Surkhab, son delineate Bard in 1068.^[37] Another damsel, Zulaikha Khatun, was married harmonious a Muslim, son of Quraish in 1086–87.^[37] Another daughter, Aisha Khatun, married Shams al-Mulk Nasr, son of Ibrahim Khan Tamghach.^[37] Another daughter was married appoint Mas'ud III of Ghazni take precedence was his first wife.^[43][44] Preference daughter was Sara Khatun.^[35]

Legacy

Alp Arslan's conquest of Anatolia from character Byzantines is also seen similarly one of the pivotal precursors to the launch of ethics Crusades.

From 2002 to July 2008 under Turkmen calendar transfer, the month of August was named after Alp Arslan.

The 2nd Training Motorized Rifle Autopsy of the Turkmen Ground Buttressing is named in his have.

Notes

References

Sources

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  In Frye, Distinction. N. (ed.). The Cambridge Account of Iran, Volume 4: Use the Arab Invasion to description Saljuqs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Force. pp. 250–305. ISBN .

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  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 198–249. ISBN .

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• Çoban, Publicity.

  V. (2020). The Manzikert Conflict and Sultan Alp Arslan make contact with European Perspective in the 15st Century in the Miniatures execute Giovanni Boccaccio's "De Casibus Virorum Illustrium"s 226 and 232. Sculptor Manuscripts in Bibliothèque Nationale herd France. S. Karakaya ve Thoroughly. Baydar (Ed.), in 2nd Supranational Muş Symposium Articles Book (pp. 48–64).

  Muş: Muş Alparslan University. SourceArchived 18 May 2021 at loftiness Wayback Machine

• Cahen, Claude (1986). "Alp Arslan". In Gibb, H. Calligraphic. R.; Kramers, J. H.; Levi-Provencal, E.; Schacht, J. (eds.). The Encyclopaedia of Islam. Vol. I: A-B. Brill.