The Great Seljuk Empire

By (author) Peacock A. C. S.
Short description/annotation:
The first English language general history of the Great Seljuk Empire outlines its chronological history and will explores its religious and institutional history.
Description:
The Seljuks, nomadic tribesman in origin, invaded the Middle East in the 11th century and established themselves as sultans in the Islamic tradition. The Great Seljuk Empire became one of the major empires of Middle Eastern history and dominated Central Asia, Iran, Iraq and Syria in the 11th and 12th centuries.The proposed book will provide the first English language general history of this empire. It will outline the chronological history of the empire and will then explore the religious and institutional history, based on the following themes:* The relationship between tribes and the state* The development of administrative and religious institutions* The nature and impact of Turkish settlement in the Middle East and its consequences* The long-term significance of the religious history of the period* The struggle for legitimacy and authority between sultans, caliphs, religious scholars and amirs* The political role of women in the Seljuk court* The Seljuks and the non-Muslim world.
Table of contents:
List of box texts; Illustrations and maps; Abbreviations; A note on transliteration, conventions and geographical terminology; AcknowledgementsIntroduction; Chapter 1. The Rise of the Seljuk Empire: from the Eurasian Steppe to the Gates of Cairo, c. 965-1092; Chapter 2. Crisis, Consolidation and Collapse: the Great Seljuk Empire and the Sultanate of Iraq, 1092-1194; Chapter 3. Sovereignty, Legitimacy and the Contest with the Caliphate; Chapter 4. The Dargāh: Courts and Court Life; Chapter 5. The Kuttāb: Bureaucrats and Administration; Chapter 6. The ‘Askar: The Seljuk military; Chapter 7. Religion and the Seljuk Empire; Chapter 8. The Economic and Social Organisation of the Seljuk Empire; Conclusion: The Seljuk Legacy; Appendices: Regnal Dates of Seljuk Sultans; ‘Abbasid Caliphs, Khwarazmshahs and principal Atabegs; Genealogical chart of the Seljuk Sultans; Chronological Outline; Glossary; Bibliography.
Review quote:
‘The Great Seljuk Empire is a truly impressive piece of scholarship that provides arguably the first full-length overview of Seljuk history in English and demonstrates Peacock’s considerable experience in this area. It will also appeal to a broad audience. I am sure that students and non-specialists will find Peacock’s engaging manner accessible, whilst appreciating the trouble he takes explaining key terms and concepts. For specialists, interested in the key thematic debates on this subject, this work provides new insights, but it also acts as a much-needed benchmark, drawing together the various studies produced thus far and reflecting upon their implications when considered as a corpus. In general, I am fully in agreement with Deborah Tor that this will rapidly become "a standard work in the field".’
Review quote:
The Great Seljuk Empire is a truly impressive piece of scholarship that provides arguably the first full-length overview of Seljuk history in English and demonstrates Peacock’s considerable experience in this area. It will also appeal to a broad audience. I am sure that students and non-specialists will find Peacock’s engaging manner accessible, whilst appreciating the trouble he takes explaining key terms and concepts. For specialists, interested in the key thematic debates on this subject, this work provides new insights, but it also acts as a much-needed benchmark, drawing together the various studies produced thus far and reflecting upon their implications when considered as a corpus. In general, I am fully in agreement with Deborah Tor that this will rapidly become "a standard work in the field".''
Review quote:
Andrew Peacock is to be commended on the challenge undert