[SoI] The Great Seljuk Empire

[baseballpie]

With hope and a prayer, there could be a new Renaissance of S&T. Tycho resurrecting his story, Trexeric updating this story; all we need is hope that more stories come alive.

EDIT: Nice update, looking forward to more conquering

 

[Moai_Spammer]

i too want moar conquest

 

[GreekAnalyzer]

Moar blood

 

[trexeric]

Hmm... should I let this story die? OF COURSE NOT! I aspire to finish this here story, whether you people like it or not!

Chapter 26: The Crowning of the Shahanshah

In the years of Barkiyaruq's reign other things happened in the west. Nur ad-Din Zengi, Barkiyaruq's own cousin, captured the lands of Jazira and Asuristan in northern Mesopotamia. Long had these lands been under independent rule, and Barkiyaruq rejoiced at the naming of his cousin as Emir. It is said he went to the coronation disguised as a beggar*, and afterwards sought an audience with Nur ad-Din. This was granted, and Barkiyaruq revealed himself as the Seljuk Emperor, and he asked for an alliance between the states. Nur ad-Din agreed, and from then on would the Seljuks work to aid the Zengids.




On the banks of the Caspian a city was founded. This was Gorgan, a rather insignificant city. However, the city had a ripple effect. With its founding, the Samanids collapsed under the looming shadow of fear the Seljuk's mere size and power, and it is said a small faction of Seljuk pirates defeated a Samanid fleet on the Caspian, which happened to be transporting the Samanid Emir. The Seljuks secretly rejoiced, and they planned to conquer the trade city of Merv in coming years. With the collapse of the Samanids, the Seljuks were no longer disputed in power on the Iranian Plateau. Barkiyaruq named himself the first Shahanshah, the King of Kings. Only the minor city of Ormuz in the south now stood against the Seljuks, and that city would soon fall under Barkiyaruq's new-found power and support by his people. Soon, all Iran would be under the Shahanshah's rule.



*disguised likely because the people of northern Mesopotamia were not fans of the Seljuk's imperialism.

 

[mrrandomplayer]

Hooray!!!

 

[constantinople]

 

[Bair_the_Normal]

Surprise!

 

[Gruekiller]

Civ4 S&T seems to be emerging from a long winter.

 

[mrrandomplayer]

I will try and drag all of the NES'ers and IOT'ers back to S and T.

 

[GreekAnalyzer]

Yes!

 

[Dumanios]

This is back! Yes.

 

[baseballpie]

Woot! Seljuks!

 

[trexeric]

Chapter 27: The Battle of Ormuz

In 1136, Barkiyaruq stepped down as Shahanshah of the Seljuk Empire and gave the title to Mehmed, his older brother. Barkiyaruq was ill and was likely to die. However, after a year of deep illness, Barkiyaruq survived and demanded his title back from Mehmed. Mehmed did not wan't to relinquish his power, and thus had Barkiyaruq imprisoned. For three years the first Shahanshah of the Seljuk Empire rotted away in the dungeons of Rayy, and Mehmed ruled with an iron fist. In 1140, however, the guards of Barkiyaruq rebelled against Mehmed and released Barkiyaruq*. Barkiyaruq raised a small army and the imperial Seljuk army attacked. Barkiyaruq and his army was driven out of Rayy, and Mehmed continued to rule, but Barkiyaruq saw this as an opportunity. He went southwards to where Seljuk horsemen had been encamped outside of Ormuz. Barkiyaruq may have been a fugitive, but he was still a great liar. He told the general of the horsemen, who's name is forgotten, that Mehmed was wrongfully trying to kill him, and that he was working with the Emir of Ormuz. Even though this may have been a bit far-fetched, the general believed and was furious. He ordered a charge at Ormuz and he rode out in the very front himself, so hot was his fury. That general would never return to his family, but then Barkiyaruq took command of the army at Ormuz. While the general's charge was disastrous, Barkiyaruq ordered another charge. This charge was less disastrous, but Barkiyaruq's army was forced into a retreat. The army of Ormuz had stormed out of the city in pursuit, and then Berkiyaruq ordered a third charge. This charge split the Ormuz army in half and then turned and proceeded to destroy both halves. Barkiyaruq had captured Ormuz, and had a much larger army at his disposal, but Mehmed still ruled.



*It is believed Barkiyaruq tricked them with his 'silver tongue'.

 

[mrrandomplayer]

Yay! Update!

 

[Moai_Spammer]

what he said ^^

 

[baseballpie]

S&T Renaissance

 

[Gruekiller]

It updated. \o/

 

[trexeric]

At this point Ebecen, the author, diverges from his previous storyline to have us encounter the tale of Malik Ibn Dinar. This divergence is said to be due to Ebecen's supposed relation to Dinar, and because Dinar's death happened around the time Barkiyaruq's rebellion did. We apologize if this chapter keeps anyone in suspense until lazy old trexeric updates this again, but it was a promised chapter (see Chapters 19 and Chapter 22). Notice that this divergence did not happen in the original piece, but was inserted later by Ebecen alongside his other traveling histories.

Chapter 28: The Travels of Malik Ibn Dinar

Malik Ibn Dinar, a man of Wasit, and his travels and hardships from 1096 to his death in 1142. Malik, last mentioned in chapter 19 of this epic, began his travels the year after he met Malik Shah himself in Baghdad. The journey began well, with a large caravan and even a guard to guard the skilled merchant. However, as they passed northwards, they encountered problems. The state of Mosul taxed the caravan heavily, and they left with fewer than they had. Malik was forced to thin his guard, and the caravan continued northward. The Sultanate of Rum was happy enough to let the caravan pass, but as they got into Byzantine territory issues began arising. At any small town that the Seljuks would pass through, they would be attacked by at least one man. The anti-Islamic traditions in Byzantium were strong, and that forced Malik to turn around. He returned to Konya in Rum, and there he lived 30 years of his life. When he finally left, he went back into Byzantine land. He had lost almost all his guard and most of his caravans, but as he came into Constantinople itself he still turned up quite a profit, and he had it sent back to Baghdad. He would live the rest of his years in Constantinople, being altogether too old to travel any more.

 

[baseballpie]

YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



caps

 

[SanJose]

bad starting position, so many bad motions...