The Great Seljuk Empire

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.