Episode 296 - The Mongol Storm with Nicholas Morton
Digest
This episode of the History of Byzantium podcast explores the Mongol invasion of the Byzantine world, specifically focusing on their encounter with the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum. The episode features an interview with Dr. Nicholas Morton, an expert on the Crusades and the Medieval Middle East, who discusses his new book, "The Mongol Storm." Dr. Morton explains the origins of the Mongol Empire, their rise to power in China and Central Asia, and the events that led to their invasion of the Middle East. He then delves into the Seljuk Sultanate's response to the Mongol threat, highlighting the Battle of Kuzidag, where the Seljuks were defeated and forced to become tributaries to the Mongols. Dr. Morton concludes by reflecting on the Mongol invasion's impact on the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of understanding nomadic societies and their complex organizational structures. He also discusses the survival strategies of different societies during this period, noting that those who reacted in extreme ways, either by submitting early or by aggressively attacking the Mongols, were more likely to survive than those who responded in a proportionate manner.
Outlines
Introduction and Sponsor Announcement
This Chapter introduces the episode and its sponsor, Audible.com, offering listeners a free trial of the service to access "The Mongol Storm" for free.
Welcome and Introduction of Guest
This Chapter welcomes listeners to the History of Byzantium podcast and introduces the episode's guest, Dr. Nicholas Morton, an Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global History at Nottingham Trent University.
The Mongol Invasion of the Byzantine World
This Chapter begins by recapping the previous episode's events, focusing on the joint Roman-Bulgarian siege of Constantinople. It then introduces the Mongol invasion of the Byzantine world and the anxieties it caused.
The Mongols: Origins and Rise to Power
This Chapter delves into the origins of the Mongols, explaining their nomadic way of life and their ability to form powerful confederations. It discusses the rise of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire's expansion into China and Central Asia.
The Mongol Invasion of the Middle East
This Chapter explores the events that led to the Mongol invasion of the Middle East, focusing on the incident at the border town of Atra and the subsequent conquest of the Chorazmian Empire.
The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and the Mongol Threat
This Chapter focuses on the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in Anatolia, discussing its history, its relationship with the Byzantine Empire, and its initial attempts to conduct diplomacy with the Mongols.
The Battle of Kuzidag and the Seljuk Submission
This Chapter details the Battle of Kuzidag, where the Seljuks were defeated by the Mongols. It discusses the Seljuk Sultanate's subsequent submission to the Mongols and its long-term tributary status.
Keywords
Mongol Empire
The Mongol Empire was a vast empire founded by Genghis Khan in the 13th century. It stretched from Eastern Europe to the Pacific Ocean, encompassing China, Central Asia, Russia, and parts of the Middle East. The Mongols were known for their military prowess, their sophisticated organizational structures, and their devastating conquests.
Seljuk Sultanate of Rum
The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum was a Turkish sultanate that ruled over much of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from the 11th to the 14th centuries. It was a major power in the Middle East and played a significant role in the Crusades. The Seljuks were eventually defeated by the Mongols and forced to become tributaries to the Mongol Empire.
Battle of Kuzidag
The Battle of Kuzidag was a decisive battle fought in 1243 between the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum and the Mongol Empire. The Seljuks were defeated, leading to their submission to the Mongols and the establishment of the Seljuk Sultanate as a tributary state.
Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan was the founder and Great Khan of the Mongol Empire. He was a brilliant military leader who united the Mongol tribes and led them to conquer vast territories in Asia. He is considered one of the most successful military commanders in history.
Nomadic Societies
Nomadic societies are societies that live in a mobile way, typically herding animals and moving from place to place in search of grazing land. They have played a significant role in Eurasian history, often challenging and conquering agricultural societies. Nomadic societies are known for their military prowess, their adaptability, and their complex organizational structures.
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The Crusades were motivated by a desire to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim control. They had a profound impact on the history of the Middle East and Europe.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East. It lasted for over a thousand years, from the 4th to the 15th centuries, and played a significant role in the history of Europe and the Middle East. The Byzantine Empire was known for its rich culture, its sophisticated administration, and its military strength.
Mamluk Empire
The Mamluk Empire was a sultanate that ruled over Egypt and Syria from the 13th to the 16th centuries. The Mamluks were originally enslaved people who were trained as soldiers. They rose to power in Egypt in the 13th century and successfully resisted the Mongol invasion.
Anatolia
Anatolia is a peninsula in Asia Minor that corresponds roughly to modern-day Turkey. It has been a crossroads of civilizations for centuries, and its history is marked by the rise and fall of empires, including the Byzantine Empire, the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, and the Ottoman Empire.
Turkmen
Turkmen are a Turkic people who have traditionally lived in Central Asia and Anatolia. They are known for their nomadic way of life and their role in the history of the region.
Q&A
What were the Mongols' origins and how did they rise to power?
The Mongols were a nomadic people who lived in the region of modern-day Mongolia. They were known for their military prowess and their ability to form powerful confederations. Genghis Khan united the Mongol tribes and led them to conquer vast territories in Asia, establishing the Mongol Empire.
What events led to the Mongol invasion of the Middle East?
The Mongol invasion of the Middle East was triggered by an incident at the border town of Atra, where the governor executed Mongol merchants. This angered Genghis Khan, who launched a campaign to conquer the Chorazmian Empire, which brought the Mongols into the Middle East.
How did the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum respond to the Mongol threat?
The Seljuk Sultanate of Rum initially attempted to conduct diplomacy with the Mongols, hoping to avoid conflict. However, tensions eventually escalated, leading to the Battle of Kuzidag in 1243, where the Seljuks were defeated and forced to become tributaries to the Mongols.
What was the impact of the Mongol invasion on the Middle East?
The Mongol invasion had a profound impact on the Middle East, leading to the collapse of several empires, including the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, the Chorazmian Empire, and the Abbasid Caliphate. The Mongols also introduced new ideas and technologies to the region, contributing to the cultural and economic changes of the 13th and 14th centuries.
What are some key takeaways from Dr. Morton's discussion of the Mongol invasion?
Dr. Morton emphasizes the importance of understanding nomadic societies and their complex organizational structures. He also highlights the survival strategies of different societies during this period, noting that those who reacted in extreme ways, either by submitting early or by aggressively attacking the Mongols, were more likely to survive than those who responded in a proportionate manner.
What is the significance of the Battle of Kuzidag?
The Battle of Kuzidag was a decisive battle that marked the beginning of the Seljuk Sultanate's submission to the Mongol Empire. It had a significant impact on the political landscape of Anatolia and the Middle East, leading to the decline of the Seljuk Sultanate and the rise of new Turkmen states.
What were the Mongols' demands on the Seljuk Sultanate?
The Mongols demanded tribute payments from the Seljuk Sultanate, which included resources, money, and even hats. These demands weakened the Seljuk Sultanate and contributed to its eventual decline.
How did the Mongol invasion contribute to the rise of the Ottoman Empire?
The Mongol invasion weakened the Seljuk Sultanate and created a power vacuum in Anatolia. This allowed Turkmen groups, who had been rebelling against the Mongols, to gain power and establish their own micro-states, known as Beyliks. One of these Beyliks, the Ottoman Beylik, eventually grew into the powerful Ottoman Empire.
What are some of the challenges in studying the Mongol invasion?
One of the challenges in studying the Mongol invasion is the modern perspective, which tends to view agricultural societies as dominant and nomadic societies as marginal. This can lead to a misunderstanding of the complexity and sophistication of nomadic cultures.
Show Notes
We talk to Dr Nicholas Morton about the arrival of the Mongols into the Byzantine world. Their confrontation with the Seljuks of Anatolia will have serious consequences.
Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.
In it he offers a panoramic account of the Mongol invasions of the Middle East during the thirteenth century, examining these wars from the perspectives of the many different societies impacted by their conquests, including of course Byzantium.
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