We began lecture finishing off the Early Islamic Period before the Crusaders invaded Jerusalem. The Abbasid Dynasty ruled from 750-969 CE out of Baghdad. They tried to wipe out memory of Umayyid accomplishments by taking credit for everything. For example, Abbasid Caliph al-Ma-mun takes credit for building the Dome of the Rock but forgets to erase the date of construction. During this time, the Abbasid continue polemic against Christians. Muhammad al-Sanhaji, governor of Jerusalem, kills John, Patriarch of Jerusalem in 965 CE. After the Abbasid Dynasty came the Fatimid Dynasty that ruled from 969-1099 CE out of Egypt. This was a period of upheaval, but steady population increase. The treatment of Jew and Christians depended on the ruler. Jewish and Christian governors were appointed near end of Fatimid rule. In 1009 Caliph al-Hakim orders destruction of all Jewish and Christian houses of prayer, including the Holy Sepulcher. In 1033, an earthquake severely damages Jerusalem's walls and Dome of the Rock. From 1078-1098 CE, the enemies of the Fatimids, the Seljuqs, occupy Jerusalem, destroying and looting the city. They massacred thousands of its inhabitants.
After the Crusades were over, Jerusalem once again was under Islamic rule. This time, it was the Mamluks who were in control. Mamluk Jerusalem was from 1250-1516 CE, a time where Jerusalem becomes a religious center. This was more of a movement rather than a dynasty. During this time, Jerusalem was politically and militarily insignificant, but had religious importance. There was intensive building of schools, hospitals, and hotels. The Al Madrasa al-Ashrafiyya, a Quar'ranic school, was built as well in 1482. It is known as the "Third Jewel of Jerusalem". The Mamluks tried building things and doing things for the community. There was much enhancement in the Islamic quarter and the Jewish quarter began go to grow as a religious quarter.
The Ottomon came to power in Jerusalem from 1516-1918. The reason Jerusalem was insignificant for a while was because the walls around the city were destroyed. There was no protection for the inhabitants of the city so it wasn't much of a threat. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem. It was two miles long, forty feet high, 34 towers, and 7 gates. It was an extensive campaign to refurbish the Temple Mount. Also, Jews were encouraged to settle in Jerusalem to restore the city's population.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
AN N EA 10w 3/1/11 Lecture
In between the Early and Late Islamic Period is the age of the Crusaders and their rule in Jerusalem from 1099- 1291 CE. The Crusades was basically a holy war of liberation to free Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine from Islamic rule. The Crusaders took vows and were granted penance for past sins if they fought in the war. The holy war was fueled by both political and religious motives. Islam was expanding rapidly and was becoming popular in laces like Spain and France. In 1095, Pope Urban II calls upon nobility to help Byzantines against the attacking Muslims and to free Jerusalem while they were on the way. The Pope recruited both rich and poor to fight the Turks and used religious forgiveness as incentive. The first army was comprised of mainly peasants who did not have any experience of war. This was known as the Peasant's Crusade. They were ill-equipped and untrained, which led to their demise when they were slaughtered by the veteran Turkish army. The Crusaders made sure the next army would be comprised of knights and men who knew how to fight in war. This took a couple years to build up but this army eventually defeated many Turkish armies in Palestine and eventually laid siege on Jerusalem. The Crusaders took Jerusalem in 1099 CE and massacred thousands of Muslims, Jews, and even Christians in the city. They basically quarantined the city of almost all of its inhabitants.
After Jerusalem is conquered by the Crusaders led by Godfrey de Bouillon, he refuses to wear the crown. Palestine becomes "kingdom of Jerusalem" and in 1100, Baldwin becomes king of Jerusalem. During this time, a group known as the Templars came into prominence. They were a group of knights who protected Christians who were being attacked while they were on the way to the Holy City. In return, they were given the Al-Aqsa Mosque as their dwelling quarters. The Templars became a very popular group and many recruits began to join the group. It was also during this time that Jerusalem was separated into different quarters: the Patriarch's Quarter, the Templar's Quarter, the Syrian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter.
The Crusaders began a holy reconstruction of Jerusalem, re-modifying Islamic buildings to Christian-type buildings. The Dome of the Rock was changed into a church and a cross was placed on top of the Dome. All Islamic writing was removed because it was seen as a defilement to their Holy place. Old Byzantine churches were rebuilt and hundreds of new churches were erected throughout Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was expanded and innovated to be more majestic and beautiful. Crusader Jerusalem did not last for long because the Muslims were uniting under one banner to fight against the Crusaders. Their leader, Saladin was a charismatic and young leader who promised to reclaim Jerusalem for Islamic rule. The Crusaders arrogantly decided to march against the Islamic army without any source of water, which led to their ultimate doom. The Crusader army was defeated at the "Horns of Hattin" in July 1187, leaving Jerusalem undefended. Jerusalem eventually surrenders to Saladin in September 26, 1187, who spared the Christians if they left the city. There was purification and reclamation of the Haram and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was given to the Greek Orthodox. When Saladin dies in 1194, his successors struggle for power, where we see the beginning of the late Islamic period.
After Jerusalem is conquered by the Crusaders led by Godfrey de Bouillon, he refuses to wear the crown. Palestine becomes "kingdom of Jerusalem" and in 1100, Baldwin becomes king of Jerusalem. During this time, a group known as the Templars came into prominence. They were a group of knights who protected Christians who were being attacked while they were on the way to the Holy City. In return, they were given the Al-Aqsa Mosque as their dwelling quarters. The Templars became a very popular group and many recruits began to join the group. It was also during this time that Jerusalem was separated into different quarters: the Patriarch's Quarter, the Templar's Quarter, the Syrian Quarter, and the Armenian Quarter.
The Crusaders began a holy reconstruction of Jerusalem, re-modifying Islamic buildings to Christian-type buildings. The Dome of the Rock was changed into a church and a cross was placed on top of the Dome. All Islamic writing was removed because it was seen as a defilement to their Holy place. Old Byzantine churches were rebuilt and hundreds of new churches were erected throughout Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was expanded and innovated to be more majestic and beautiful. Crusader Jerusalem did not last for long because the Muslims were uniting under one banner to fight against the Crusaders. Their leader, Saladin was a charismatic and young leader who promised to reclaim Jerusalem for Islamic rule. The Crusaders arrogantly decided to march against the Islamic army without any source of water, which led to their ultimate doom. The Crusader army was defeated at the "Horns of Hattin" in July 1187, leaving Jerusalem undefended. Jerusalem eventually surrenders to Saladin in September 26, 1187, who spared the Christians if they left the city. There was purification and reclamation of the Haram and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was given to the Greek Orthodox. When Saladin dies in 1194, his successors struggle for power, where we see the beginning of the late Islamic period.
AN N EA 10w 2/22/11 Lecture
The Early Islamic Period begins when Caliph Umar takes over Jerusalem in 638 CE, starting the Umayyad Dynasty ruling from Damascus. Caliph Umar makes a written agreement with the Christians that Jews would not be allowed to settle but later changes his mind, leading to the steady increase of Jews in Jerusalem. Jerusalem becomes the third holiest city in the Islamic faith. When Muslims pray, they face the Kaaba in Mecca, where is supposed to be the holiest place and inside the Kaaba is a rock that was from the times of Adam and Eve. There are Five "Pillars" in Islam. The first, Shahada, or "Testimony", in which a person recites the Muslim profession of faith that says there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger. The second is Salat, or "prayer", where one prays five times a day towards Mecca. The third is Zakat, which is almsgiving to the needy. The fourth is Sawm, which is fasting in the month of Ramadan. The last is Hajj, which is making a pilgrimage to Mecca once in one's lifetime.
During the Umayyad Dynasty, many monuments and palaces were built to build up the majesty of Jerusalem. Abd al-Malik builds Dome of the Rock in 691 CE to divert pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was built on the Temple Mount and many Umayyad Palaces were built around the old Temple Mount. These palaces were built over the remains of the Byzantine monumental and residential buildings, were equipped with fresh water and sewage systems, were decorated with carved and molded stucco, and the floors were paved with flagstone and mosaics.
The Dome of the Rock was commissioned in 687 CE and completed 691 CE. The project was financed with taxes from Egypt for seven years, allowing the top of the Dome to be built in solid gold. The Rock is supposed to be the site of the Holy of Holies, a stop on Muhammad's Mi'raj where from the rock he leaps to heaven on the back of al-Buraq, the location of the access to the underworld, and the place of final judgment. The Dome of the Rock has many traditions that are linked with it, making it even more important to the Islamic faith.
Also on the Temple Mount is the Dome of the Chain and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Dome of the Chain is where the final judgment will occur in the "end of days" and it is at the geometric center of the Haram esh-Sharif. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is known as the "The Farthest Mosque" and was built between 705-715 CE by Caliph Walid al-Malik. Prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is supposed to worth 500 elsewhere.
During the Umayyad Dynasty, many monuments and palaces were built to build up the majesty of Jerusalem. Abd al-Malik builds Dome of the Rock in 691 CE to divert pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was built on the Temple Mount and many Umayyad Palaces were built around the old Temple Mount. These palaces were built over the remains of the Byzantine monumental and residential buildings, were equipped with fresh water and sewage systems, were decorated with carved and molded stucco, and the floors were paved with flagstone and mosaics.
The Dome of the Rock was commissioned in 687 CE and completed 691 CE. The project was financed with taxes from Egypt for seven years, allowing the top of the Dome to be built in solid gold. The Rock is supposed to be the site of the Holy of Holies, a stop on Muhammad's Mi'raj where from the rock he leaps to heaven on the back of al-Buraq, the location of the access to the underworld, and the place of final judgment. The Dome of the Rock has many traditions that are linked with it, making it even more important to the Islamic faith.
Also on the Temple Mount is the Dome of the Chain and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Dome of the Chain is where the final judgment will occur in the "end of days" and it is at the geometric center of the Haram esh-Sharif. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is known as the "The Farthest Mosque" and was built between 705-715 CE by Caliph Walid al-Malik. Prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is supposed to worth 500 elsewhere.
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