Western History 73: Who were the Seljuk Turks?

The Seljuk Turk Empire was a Turko-Persian medieval power that controlled a vast region stretching from Asia Minor, through the Levant, deep into Persian and Central Asia. It was founded in 1037 by Tughril Beg and was a Sunni Empire. The Seljuk’s played a role in exporting both Persian and Turkic culture. The Empire’s zenith occurred around 1092 following the death of Malik Shah I.

It clashed frequently with the Byzantine Empire scoring a major victory over its Christian foe in 1071 at the Battle of Manzikert. Famous Emperors include Alp Arslan (victor at Manzikert), Tughril himself (who captured Baghdad from the Abbasids) and Malik Shah I (who masterminded the expansion into Persia).

After the death of Malik Shah I, his sons clashed with each other weakening the Empire. It further suffered defeat at the hands of the Georgians and was weakened by clashes with the Crusades.  By the 13^th century the Seljuks were in decline with a new Empire, the Ottoman’s rising up in their place.

The legacy of the Seljuks is seen in their promotion of academic scholarship. They were great patrons of the art and literature and under their rule the Persians enjoyed a renaissance characterized by the writing of Philosopher poet Omar Khayyam and al-Ghazali.

They made contact with Western Europe through the twin vehicles of war and trade thus spreading many of their learned gains to a broader base.