Syria was an important Middle East country for the Byzantine Rulers and Islamic Rule under Seljuk Turks. This Blog discusses how Armenian Empire and Romans took Syria under their Rule and how Alexander the Great influenced the Rulership in Syria.
Today’s Syria is consistently in the news because of the Civil War going inside the Country. But it was one of the most ancient cities in the world.
Archaeologists found out the stone age remains in Syria. At least 8 lac years ago, remains are founded in Syria near the regions of Damascus.
Neanderthals remains are also discovered, and that is why this city had witnessed one of the most ancient civilizations on the planet earth.
Sadly, the civil war inside the city is weakening its structure. Still, Syria held some of the most important monuments in world history. When Pompey the Great ruled Syria, the Roman Empire provided great structural marvels to the Country.
Bosra theatre is one of such structural marvels.
Image Source: Google | Image By Wikimedia
Rulers and Syria
The location of Syria is on the Eastern side of the Mediterranean coast. You all know that the Coasts provide an excellent advantage for the Navy fleet. Also, Syria was cherished by the Forests, which provided the material to build up the navy fleet. Syria was a complete package for those who want to stable their Rule on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea.
In this blog, we are providing the Chronology of the different kingdoms that have ruled Syria.
Persian Kingdom
The Achaemenid Persian emperor Cyrus the Great conquered Syria and included it in the Persian empire. Persian kingdom had a stable power on Syria till Alexander the Great started his conquest.
Image Source: Google | Image By Wikimedia
Alexander the Great and Syria
The Great Macedonian king Alexander the Great fought the Battle of Issus bravely. He ended up in the reign of the Persian Empire. Since then, Syria was incorporated by the Seleucus Nicator, a General of his Army. He settled the foundation of the Seleucid Empire, and Seleucus named himself ‘the King of Syria.’
It was a major Province, and it was going to help Alexander for his future conquests. Antioch was the Capital of Syria. It was then, but for today this Antioch is in Turkey.
Armenian Empire: protector of Syria
It was 83rd BCE, and Syrians were completely in Chaos. And at that time, the Syrians chose the king of Armenia as their protector. The Armenian kingdom existed from 321 BCE to 428 CE.
Tigranes the Great, This Armenian King started his reign as becoming the protector of Syria.
The People of Syria crowned him.
Romans
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but many Generals worked to expand the boundaries of their Empire, Pompey the Great was one of them.
It was very challenging to fight against the Armenian Empire. Still, the Great Pompey captured Antioch city in 64th BCE. After a few years, this Country was completely under Roman Rule.
Pompey the Great ended up the Armenian Rule and included Syria as part of Roman Province.
Antioch city was the third-largest city of the Roman empire.
Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire. Before the Byzantine empire split up the Alexandria was the second-largest city in the Roman empire. You can safely say that during the reign of Pompey the Great, Rome was the first largest city, Alexandria and Antioch were second and third, respectively.
Islamic Rule
After the Rise of Islam,
In 634 CE – 640 CE., Syria was conquered, but the Muslim Arabs and their leader were, Khalid-ibn-Al-Walid.
After this, Syria became part of the Islamic Empire.
In the middle of the 7th CE, When Umayyad Dynasty started ruling over Syria, Damascus was their Capital, and Syria was divided into four sectors.
Damascus, Homs, Palestine, and Jordan.
From 944 CE – 967 CE, under Sayf al-Dawla, Syria became the Centre of Culture as the Ruler Sayf al-Dawla encouraged Arabic Literature’s nurturing. Mostly, this Literature was based on Islam. Maybe it was when Muslims realized that they could let the world know about their religion across the world through Literature.
Byzantines recapturing Syria
During Sayf al-Dawla, the Byzantines started attacking Syria, but he resisted them very well. After his death, in 969 CE, Byzantines captured Antioch, and later on, they captured entire Syria in 996 CE.
Internal Chaos was too much in Syria, and there were many tribes of Muslim Turks already started resisting the Rule of Byzantines.
It was 1084 when Malik Shah first started the resistance moment. He had finally conquered Syria in 1086.
For the First Crusade series, we only need to know what happened till the era of the first crusade. In upcoming blogs, we will discuss how Crusaders entered Jerusalem, then remember, Seljuk Turks were holding Syria under their Rule. Malik Shah was a Turkish Muslim King.
Chronology of the Crusade Blogs
- Fundamentals of First Crusade you need to know
This Blog is discussing about the History of Crusade and what elements played a vital role in Crusade - How Pope Urban II started the First Crusade: Everything You need to knowHow Pope Urban II used his diplomatic mindset to convey his speech to all Christians.
- Fundamentals of Historical Geography before the First Crusade you Need to Know
“Run Quickly to help your brothers living across the Eastern shores.” That’s what Pope Urban II said after the end of his historical speech. There was no need for Crusade. Pope Urban II tried… Read more: Fundamentals of Historical Geography before the First Crusade you Need to Know - Fundamentals you need to know about the Armies involved in the First CrusadeIn the First Crusade, Bohemond of Taranto, Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Tancred of Hauteville, Baldwin of Boulogne, and Peter the Hermit were the key figures from the Western Roman Empire. The First Crusade was a costly activity, and there were no visible rewards at the starting of the war. When Warfare is about to happen, the Kings and Armies involving it always look for the reward after winning the war. But this wasn’t the case for the First Crusade because there was no material award and not even Physical wealth. Still, the armies involved in it because of Spirituality.
- First Crusade of A Ruthless Political campaign and A new religious worldThis Blog discusses A will for the dominance of the Byzantine Emperor in the First Crusade and how Politics was involved at the beginning of the First battle First Crusade: The dominance of Byzantine… Read more: First Crusade of A Ruthless Political campaign and A new religious world
- Ultimate War at the siege of Nicaea – Everything you need to knowEven for the crusader’s army, it was not possible to directly infiltrate Jerusalem. It was the motto of Crusade – To take back the holy land. But the threats Byzantine empire were also real, and for that purpose, one common target was necessary. That common target was Nicaea. Nicaea was large and massive, A prosperous city located in the Bosporus. Nicaea was essential geographically. It was perfect to rule because it cannot be perfectly sieged. It had no land from the Westside, and it is challenging to hold the siege from Seawater. Kilij Arslan declared this City as the capital of his kingdom.
- Monhttps://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BGH85QKRrylaeum?Crusaders now have tasted the first joy of victory. It was essential for them to move forward and claim their ultimate reward. After all, Nicaea was just one city they won. They had to clear many more hurdles before conquering Jerusalem and establish their claim on the Holy Land.
- The most Colossal enemy of the Crusaders is hereAfter defeating Kilij Arslan and winning the battle of Dorylaeum, it really cheered the spirit of Crusaders, and that motivated them for their further endeavor. We already know that the Crusaders wanted to conquer their Holy land Jerusalem, but if you look closely at the map, you will find that Way towards the Jerusalem was gone through Syria, and for this, they had to reach the Antioch first, and this was three months of marching from Dorylaeum to Antioch.
- Antioch City – Amazing Medieval History you need to knowCrusaders already faced the tragic consequence of long walking and lack of food. More days of walking means more supplies they will need, and neither the Franks and nor the Latins could have afforded this.
- Syria: Amazing Medieval History you need to knowSyria was an important Middle East country for the Byzantine Rulers and Islamic Rule under Seljuk Turks. This Blog discusses how Armenian Empire and Romans took Syria under their Rule and how Alexander the Great influenced the Rulership in Syria.
