Muslim+Expansion+and+Disunity

This page should have a dual purpose, detailing two themes were are present well in advance and also in the period leading up to the Crusade. It should deal with the Islamic expansion into northern Africa and Spain before moving onto the blows which struck the stability of this empire prior to the arrival of the Crusading force.

Muslim Expansion and Disunity

Plan:

1. Introduction 2. Invasion of and Expansion into Spain. 3. Invasion of and Expansion into Northern Africa. 4. Muslim Disunity and Intra-Racial conflicts in the Middle East. 5. Treachery at Antioch. 6. Treachery at Jerusalem and the consequences. 7. Conclusion.

Introduction

The expansion of the Muslim’s is of vital importance to the overall understanding of the crusade and what it meant for the parties involved in the crusade itself. The invasion of, and expansion into Spain meant for the Christian (soon to be) crusaders that the Muslim’s were actually doing what the Christians wanted to do. The Christians wanted to invade the Muslim regions of the Middle East, but instead, the Muslims ended up expanding their territories into Europe! In addition to this, the dwellers of the Middle East also succeeded in their expansion into Northern Africa; a major part of the area being Egypt (although the territories expanded much farther than this). One would think that this great expansion may serve to unify the separate sectors of Muslims and of course potentially unify the military forces of the separate Muslim leaders. However, this was not to be the case, infact, we know for a fact that the Muslim forces were not united and indeed, the subsequent treacheries and Antioch and Jerusalem respectively, cost them the control of the cities. It has since been stated that the main reason the crusade was successful for the Franks, was due to the Muslim disunity. (JJEWatkinson)

The invasions of the Iberian Peninsula began as early as 711, when Africans who had recently converted to Islam invaded the Christian Visigothic Kingdom. The Muslims steadily campaigned their way northward from Gibraltar under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad; the force of the Muslims truly felt the following year when subsequent support was given from Emir Musa ibn Nusair. Although these forces reached the Pyrenees, they were defeated by Frank Charles Martel. Nevertheless, the Muslims had gained a strong foothold in Southern Spain, from where Christendom in Europe faced the severe threat of opposing Islamic ideals and the conquering of further Spanish territory; with influx of Muslim peoples continuing throughout the coming centuries. Indeed, by the time of ‘The Great Caliph’, large areas of Spain had become predominately Muslim and remained so for a sustained period. We should appreciate that Abd ar-Rahman III also brought wealth to Islamic Spain and as a consequence of his ability to maintain both his position and significant levels of peace; he had his governmental bureaux moved to Cordova. Although a turbulent period followed, Hakam II provided a more relaxed society after ar-Rahman: we must not fail to recognise the positive situations which many found themselves in. Christians were still allowed to practice their faith with few restrictions and thus there was distinct harmony and co-operation between the two cultures (a fundamental reason for the prosperity of the area). Unfortunately, ar-Rahman’s successor was not as liberal as had been the norm. Ibn Abi Amir Almanzor (the victorious) slaughtered many Christians but, more distinctly, launched brutal assaults on the Kingdom of Leon due to the site being considered the figurehead of Christianity within Spain. These attacks left the city ransacked so as to prevent Christian pilgrimage to the area. With the addition of Barcelona to his land arsenal, Almanzor was a powerful adversary. Of course, we could suggest that this was the strongest point of Muslim occupation and that his sudden death in 1002 shook the region and provided the catalyst for decline of Muslim power. Seizing the opportunity that had arisen, counter attacks began to regain the territory for Christendom and once again unite Western Europe together. When Cluny added its support to maintaining pilgrimage routes, more influential figures were encouraged to join the efforts and in this way, Christians gradually took back control of the region. The close of these campaigns came in 1101, when Huesca and Barbastro were both captured. The main thing to take note of that came from this period was the idea of a ‘Holy War’, a powerful concept that had soldiers being able to fight for spiritual redemption (as well as material reward). [AJ]

Islam began spreading to Africa and in particular, Egypt in 641after it was conquered. This began a campaign to "Free Egypt" from Roman oppressors, which was started by the Catholic Archbiship. The call was meant for muslims and it was answered in earnest. Later that year, under the leadership of Amr ibn al-As, the byzantine city of Alexandra was taken. Although he forbids looting in the city and proclaims freedom of worship for all, he burns the remains of the great library the following year. On top of this, under his guidence the first muslim city was created, al-Fustat, and builds the first mosque in Egypt. Eventually, Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates brought down the country of Egypt and would rule until 868. However it remained in Arab hands for many years and started military expeditions into North Africa, resulting in the spread of Islam. Ordered by the caliph, Libya was taken under the leadership of Abdallah ibn al-Sa'ad. A new campaign was started a few years later, in order to "protect Egypt from flank attacks by Byzantine Cyrene". Under general Uqba ibn Nafi, Morocco was reached in 669 and was effectively open to the rule of the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates until 800. The city of Catharge was captured as well. Therefore by 698, the Arabs had taken most of North Africa from the Byzantines. The arae was divided into three sections: along with Egypt with its governor in al-Fustat, there was also Ifrikquiya with its governor at Kairouan and Maghreb (modern morocco and Mauritania) with its governor at Fes. By 709, the conquest was completed with all of North Africa under the control of the Arab Caliphate. It was the Umayyad conquest of Hispania that brought to a close the Islamic conquesot of North Africa, with the entire area part of the Arab empire. [HS]

At Antioch, Bohemund secretly established contact with Firouz, an Armenian guard who controlled the Tower of the Two Sisters but had a grudge against Yaghi-Siyan, and bribed him to open the gates. He then approached the other crusaders and offered to let them in, through Firouz, if they would agree to let him have the city. This was an extremely cunning plan on Bohemond's part, and in the end, may have made the difference between his control of the city, and not controlling it. However, Raymond was furious and argued that the city should be handed over to Alexius, as they had agreed when they left Constantinople in 1097, but Godfrey, Tancred, Robert, and the other leaders, faced with a desperate situation, gave in to his demands. [JJEW]

In conclusion, it is perhaps important to note that this disunity had huge ramifications that effected the outcome of the First Crusade. Many modern day historians have argued that this was the most important reason as to why the Crusaders were so successful in their campaigns in the Holy Land. While other elements made an impact, such as religious motivations, self gain and military tactics, the fact that the Muslims had lost so many of the most important Caliphs and leaders in the year before, made the split between Shi'ite and Sunni far worse making it impossible for a united Muslim force to take on the huge Christian force.