The growth of Muslim power, 1144-69

What you need to know - The growth of Muslim power, 1144-69: Zengi and the seizure of Edessa 1144; Nur ad-Din's consolidation of power, 1146-54. Nur's growing rift with Saladin.

Zengi and Edessa, 1144

The siege and fall of the County of Edessa which took place between 28 November and 24 December 1144 by Zengi, the atabeg or governor of Mosul and Aleppo became the catalyst for the Second Crusade. Located north of other crusader states, the County of Edessa was surrounded by the Muslim states controlled by the Seljuk Turks, Danishmends and Ortoqids.

Following the death of Fulk of Jerusalem, Zengi advanced north. In response, Joscelin II allied with Ortoqid ruler Kara Arsalan against Zengi.

Imad al-Din Zengi

Atabeg of Mosul, Aleppo, Hama, and later, Edessa. Founder of the Zengid dynasty

Joscelin II

Son of Joscelin I and the last ruling count of Edessa.

The defence of Edessa

Being the least populated and weakest crusader state, the defence of Edessa was led by Archbishop Hugh, Bishops John and Basil ba Summa. With knowledge of the city's capacity, Zengi's forces with additional Kurdish and Turcoman troops surrounded the city.

Without much knowledge of siege warfare, the city walls collapsed on 24 December. Those who failed to flee were killed, while some native Christians were freed. Two days later, the Citadel of Maniaces was handed to Zengi's forces. Meanwhile, Bishop Basil allied with the Muslims instead of leading the remaining Christian population.

Depiction of the Battle of Edessa

In January 1145, Zengi captured Saruj and Birejik. His military expedition made him popular in the Muslim world. As a matter of fact, he was named the 'defender of the faith'. In 1146, Zengi was assassinated while capturing Qalat Jabar. He was succeeded by his son Nur ad-Din.

Nur ad-Din's consolidation of power and growing rift with Saladin

Nur ad-Din was the second son of Zengi. After the death of his father, he inherited Aleppo, while his brother, Saif ad-Din, gained Mosul. Aside from defeating Joscelin II in his attempt to recapture Edessa, Nur ad-Din led an attack against the Principality of Antioch. To strengthen his rule against the crusaders, Nur ad-Din allied with other Muslim leaders in the region. He married Ismat ad-Din Khatun, daughter of the governor of Damascus. The agreement resulted in a joint attack against the cities of Bosra and Salkhad. Nur ad-Din's victories in Asia Minor affected the second crusaders' morale.

Nur ad-Din, Emir of Aleppo

The attacking on Damascus

In 1148, the Crusaders led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany arrived in Syria. Instead of recapturing the County of Edessa, the Crusaders focused on attacking Damascus.

1149

Nur ad-Din besieged the castles of Harim and Inab, part of the Antiochene territory. In the battle of Inab, Raymond of Poitiers, Prince of Antioch was killed. In the same year, Qutb ad-Din Mawdud recognised Nur ad-Din as the overlord of Mosul.

1154

Nur ad-Din overthrew Mujir ad-Din as ruler of Damascus. The city then became part of the Zengid territory which covered Edessa in the north as far as Hauran in the south.

1150

1157

Nur ad-Din allied with Mas'ud, the Seljuk Sultan of Rum and finally defeated Joscelin II. Joscelin was exiled in Aleppo until his death in 1159.

Nur ad-Din forces captured the Knights Hospitaller fortress of Banias and Grand Master Bertrand de Blanquefort.

The death of Nur ad-Din's brother somehow united the Muslim cities between the Euphrates and the Nile under one ruler. Damascus was the only one left to complete the unification of Syria. Between 1150 and 1151, Nur ad-Din attempted to besiege the city, but retreated each time. Damascus was then protected by the crusaders.

Map of the Zengid Sultanate

1159

1167

Manuel I arrived in Antioch to assert his authority. Instead of making an alliance with the crusaders, the Byzantine emperor allied with Nur ad-Din against the Seljuks.

While dealing with problems in Egypt including the advance of Amalric I, successor of Baldwin III, Nur ad-Din captured Areimeh, Gibelacar and Chastel Blanc in the County of Tripoli.

1160

1168

Nur ad-Din captured Raynald of Chatillon, the Prince of Antioch who remained in captivity for 16 years.

Amalric I allied with Manuel I to invade Egypt one last time. Meanwhile, the Fatimids allied with Nur ad-Din and Shirkuh, a Kurdish general.

The last invasion was a failure.

The decline of the Fatimid Dynasty

In addition to expanding his territories in Syria, Nur ad-Din took advantage of the declining Fatimid Dynasty in Egypt.

The death of the Fatimid Caliph, al-Hafiz, and the succession of the minor al-Zafir marked the weakening of the Fatimid Dynasty. As a result, power was passed to viziers, commonly occupied by military leaders. After the ousting and reinstitution of Shawar (who allied with Franks) as vizier, Shirkuh (who allied with Nur ad-Din) seized Alexandria followed by other Egyptian cities. In 1169, Shawar was arrested and executed under the caliph's order. Shirkuh was appointed vizier, a position he did not hold long. After Shirkuh's death, he was succeeded by his nephew, Saladin.

After succeeding his uncle as the new Fatimid vizier, Saladin was Nur al-Din's vassal. As his lord, Nur al-Din expected Saladin to abolish the Fatimid Caliphate as soon as possible. In June 1171, Nur al-Din wrote a letter to Saladin demanding the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate in Egypt. Under Nur's order, Saladin also joined him in attacking the Transjordan which the latter withdrew from due to skirmishes in Cairo. Nur did not accept Saladin's excuses. In 1173, the growing rift between the two resulted in Nur's expedition to Egypt. However, Nur died before he could bring Saladin to heel.

Map showing Saladin's Sultanate in 1171