Disunity Of The Muslims From 1090s-1119

Question 1

What was the state of the Seljuk Turks during the First Crusade?

Answer 1

The Seljuk Turks had a fragmented empire with power held by regional rulers, not a central sultan.

Question 2

Who were Ridwan of Aleppo and Duqaq of Damascus?

Answer 2

They were brothers and rivals, not allies, during the First Crusade.

Question 3

How did the rivalry between Ridwan and Duqaq affect the First Crusade?

Answer 3

Their refusal to unite in 1098 during the siege of Antioch helped the Franks survive and eventually capture the city.

Question 4

What was the Fatimid Caliphate?

Answer 4

The Fatimid Caliphate was a Shia state based in Egypt that claimed religious leadership in opposition to the Sunni Abbasid Caliphate.

Question 5

What significant loss did the Fatimid Caliphate experience prior to the First Crusade?

Answer 5

The Fatimid Caliphate lost control of Jerusalem to the Seljuks in the 1070s.

Question 6

Why did the Fatimid Caliphate refuse to cooperate with the Seljuks against the Crusaders?

Answer 6

They refused to cooperate because of their recent loss of Jerusalem and the Sunni-Shia divide.

Question 7

What was the impact of the Sunni-Shia divide on the Muslim response to the Crusade?

Answer 7

The divide meant there was no united Muslim front to repel the Crusade, with the Fatimids even attempting negotiations with crusaders in 1099.

Question 8

Who were the main parties involved in the civil war after Malik Shah’s death?

Answer 8

Sultan Barkiyaruq and his brother Muhammad I

Question 9

What event delayed focused campaigns in Syria/Palestine?

Answer 9

The ongoing civil war between Sultan Barkiyaruq and Muhammad I

Question 10

When did Barkiyaruq die?

Answer 10

1105

Question 11

Which local Sunni rulers asserted independence during this period?

Answer 11

Ridwan (Aleppo) and Tughtegin (Damascus)

Question 12

What significant action did Tughtegin take in 1105?

Answer 12

He took Rafaniya from the Franks

Question 13

What was a major issue for Tughtegin and other leaders?

Answer 13

Lack of coordination with other leaders

Question 14

What sect were the Fatimids associated with?

Answer 14

Shia

Question 15

What cities did the Fatimids repeatedly attack?

Answer 15

Jerusalem

Question 16

In which years did the Fatimids attack Jerusalem?

Answer 16

1101, 1102, 1105

Question 17

What battles did the Fatimids engage in during their attacks?

Answer 17

Battles of Ramlah

Question 18

What hindered the Fatimids’ military efforts?

Answer 18

Weak armies and lack of Seljuk support

Question 19

What was the impact of losing cities like Ascalon and Ramleh?

Answer 19

Reduced regional influence of the Fatimids

Question 20

What was a consequence of the sectarian divide among Muslims?

Answer 20

No coordination with other Muslims

Question 21

Who were the two independent rulers of the Seljuks during this period?

Answer 21

Ridwan of Aleppo and Tughtegin of Damascus

Question 22

What type of violence occurred among Muslims during this time?

Answer 22

Muslim-on-Muslim violence

Question 23

In 1108, who did Ridwan of Aleppo ally with against Jawuli of Mosul?

Answer 23

Tancred (Frank)

Question 24

Who was Jawuli and what was his significance?

Answer 24

Jawuli was a representative of the Seljuk Sultan in Baghdad, highlighting rivalries among Sunnis.

Question 25

What was the status of the Fatimids during this period?

Answer 25

The Fatimids (Shia) continued to decline.

Question 26

What hindered the Fatimids' naval power?

Answer 26

Their fleets couldn’t match Frankish naval power, especially after Venetian involvement.

Question 27

What consequence did the Fatimids face due to their declining naval power?

Answer 27

They lost coastal access, which hurt their ability to project power into the Levant.

Question 28

What was the role of the Assassins (Nizari Isma’ili Shia sect) between 1110 and 1113?

Answer 28

They targeted strong Sunni leaders, including the murder of the Emir of Homs in 1103, the assassination of the Emir of Apamea in 1106, and the killing of Mawdud of Mosul in 1113.

Question 29

What temporary alliance occurred in 1113?

Answer 29

Mawdud of Mosul and Tughtegin of Damascus joined forces and defeated Baldwin I at the Battle of al-Sannabra.

Question 30

What happened after Mawdud's assassination?

Answer 30

The alliance crumbled, and Damascus returned to peace with Jerusalem.

Question 31

What was the outcome of the Seljuk Sultan's campaign in 1115?

Answer 31

The campaign failed when Bursuq of Hamadhan was defeated at Tell Danith by Roger of Salerno and Baldwin II.

Question 32

What was the stance of local rulers like Tughtegin and Il-Ghazi during the Seljuk Sultan's campaign?

Answer 32

They preferred Frankish alliances over obedience to the Sultan.

Question 33

What significant action did Il-Ghazi take in 1118?

Answer 33

He declared independence from the Seljuks in Aleppo and refused to help unite Muslim forces against the Franks.

Question 34

What was the status of the Fatimids during this period?

Answer 34

They were isolated and declining, focused on Egypt and barely relevant in Syria/Palestine.

Question 35

What event occurred in 1121 that destabilized Fatimid rule?

Answer 35

The assassination of Vizier al-Afdal.

Question 36

What happened at the Field of Blood in June 1119?

Answer 36

Il-Ghazi defeated and killed Roger of Salerno near Antioch, marking a rare moment of Sunni strength.

Question 37

What was the outcome after the Field of Blood?

Answer 37

Il-Ghazi refused to coordinate with Damascus or Mosul to take Antioch, and Baldwin II quickly stabilized Antioch by winning the Battle of Hab.

Question 38

What happened to Il-Ghazi in 1122?

Answer 38

He died, ending any hope of northern Muslim unity.