Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I. FIRST CRUSADE; JERUSALEM AND TRIPOLIS, A.d. 1099-n19. The situation in Syria at the time of the Latin invasion cannot well be explained without some reference to the general condition of the Moslem East. Islam was at first a bond of political as well as of religious unity. The caliphs of Mekka succeeded to the secular and spiritual position of the Prophet Mohammed (a.d. 632). But the countries over which they claimed authority were as difficult to unite as Europe itself. Natural divisions of land and race favoured separation. The inherent authority of the caliphs was "spiritual" and therefore liable to become that and nothing more. Disputes arose regarding the legitimate line of succession, and these opened the way for schism. The combined effect is manifest in the time o _the Abbasite caliphs. They ruled in Bagdad from the year 750AJ5. and ger _at nr, tirng sovereigns of all Tslam as their predecessors had been. Within a hundred years their power was in process of decay. Private ambitions and the aspirations of conquered races sheltered themselves behind the claims of the rival line which traced its descent from 'Ali. It was in North Africa, about the beginning of tbe_ I2lh_century, that a rival caliphate actually established itself, that of the Fatimites. 'About Q7fr Ain Fgypf was conquered by these new caliphs. The greater part of Syria, also, soon passed into their hands, and continued theirs until, .the Turkish conquest. At the same time the power of the Abbasite caliphs in Bagdad passed to foreign dynasties DEGREES who acknowledged only their spiritual supremacy. In the 1 ith century the Moslem East was united by another power than that of the caliphs. The first Turkish empire was established by the Seljuk Turks. From..."
