The Islamic response to the Crusader states (Zengi to Nur al-Din)

Question 1

When did Zengi become atabeg of Mosul and of Aleppo?

Answer 1

Zengi became atabeg of Mosul in 1127 and of Aleppo in 1128.

Question 2

Why did Zengi force Bori, ruler of Damascus, to attack the Crusaders in 1130?

Answer 2

In 1130 Zengi forced Bori, ruler of Damascus, to attack the crusaders so that Zengi could take the Damascene city of Hamah.

Question 3

Why was Zengi not able to take over Damascus on Bori’s death in 1132?

Answer 3

Zengi was not able to take over Damascus in 1132, on Bori’s death, after Zengi was refused entry by the citizens of Damascus lead by the emir Muwin al-Din Onor.

Question 4

How was Onor able to protect Damascus from an attack by Zengi in 1139?

Answer 4

Onor was able to protect Damascus from an attack by Zengi in 1139 by making a formal alliance with the kingdom of Jerusalem.

Question 5

How did Joscelin II weaken Edessa just before the siege?

Answer 5

In 1144, Joscelin made an alliance with Kara Arslan, against Zengi. Joscelin marched out of Edessa with almost his entire army to support Kara Aslan against Aleppo. Zengi then hurried north to besiege Edessa.

Question 6

When did Zengi die?

Answer 6

Zengi died in 1146.

Question 7

Where did Nur al-Din take control of on Zengi’s death?

Answer 7

Upon Zengi’s death, Nur al-Din took control of Aleppo.

Question 8

Where and when was Raymond of Poitiers killed?

Answer 8

Raymond of Poitiers was killed in 1149 at the Battle of Inab by Nur al-Din. This battle raised Nur al-Din to a jihad leader.

Question 9

When did Onor of Damascus die?

Answer 9

Onor of Damascus died in 1149.

Question 10

Who succeeded Onor of Damascus as leader of Damascus?

Answer 10

Onor of Damascus was succeeded by Abaq, Onor’s son. Abaq was able to re-establish friendly relations with the Franks (despite the Second Crusade).

Question 11

When did Nur al-Din first attempt to besiege Damascus?

Answer 11

Nur al-Din first besieged Damascus in 1150 but was forced to retreat when a Frankish army approached.

Question 12

When did Nur al-Din capture Damascus?

Answer 12

Nur al-Din finally captured Damascus in 1154 as he was able to take advantage of Muslim popular opinion in favour of jihad and against Abaq (particularly because of his alliance with the King of Jerusalem)

Question 13

When did a civil war break out between viziers Shawar and Dirgham?

Answer 13

In 1163, a civil war broke out between viziers Shawar and Dirgham.

Question 14

When did Nur al-Din send his chief general Shirkuh to restore Shawar to power?

Answer 14

In 1164, Nur al-Din sent his chief general Shirkuh to Egpyt to restore Shawar to power.

Question 15

Why was Shirkuh forced to retreat from Egypt after restoring Shawar to power?

Answer 15

After Shirkuh restored Shawar to power, he made an alliance with King Amalric of Jerusalem. This forced Shirkuh to retreat.

Question 16

What happened to Shirkuh’s attack on Egypt in 1167?

Answer 16

The attack on Egypt in 1167 was once again forced to retreat by an alliance with Shawar and Almaric.

Question 17

Why did Shirkuh’s attack on Egypt in January 1169 succeed?

Answer 17

In January 1169 the weakened crusader forces were unable to maintain a presence in Egypt. Shirkuh took advantage of this to capture and kill Shawar replacing him as vizier. But within a few months he was dead to be replaced by his nephew Saladin.

Question 18

When did Baldwin III die?

Answer 18

Baldwin III died in 1163.

Question 19

When did Baldwin III capture Ascalon, and what was the significance of this?

Answer 19

Baldwin captured the port of Ascalon in 1153 which reduced the influence of Fatimid Egypt in the Holy Lands opening opportunities in Egypt.

Question 20

What was the significance of Shawar’s murder by Shirkuh in January 1169?

Answer 20

Shawar’s murder by Shirkuh left Shirkuh as vizier meaning that Egypt was now tied to Muslim Syria.

Question 21

When did Saladin succeed Shirkuh as vizier of Egypt?

Answer 21

Saladin succeeded Shirkuh as vizier of Egypt upon Shirkuh’s death in March 1169.

Question 22

When did Saladin recapture Gaza?

Answer 22

Saladin recaptured Gaza in 1170.

Question 23

When did the Fatimid Caliph al-Adid die and why was this important for Saladin?

Answer 23

The Fatimid Caliph al-Adid died in 1171 which meant that Saladin could plunder the Fatimid’s treasures and remove the dynasty. Saladin ruled Egypt on behalf on Nur al-Din (of the Abbaysid caliphate).

Question 24

When did Nur al-Din die?

Answer 24

Nur al-Din died in 1174.

Question 25

Who was captured at the battle of Harenc?

Answer 25

At the battle of Harenc Raymond III of Tripoli was captured, Bohemond III of Antioch, Hugh of Lusignan, and Joscelin III of Edessa.