Ayyubid dynasty

The Ayyubids (Arabic بنو أيوب, DMG Banū Ayyūb or الأيوبيون Aiyūbiyūn ) were a Sunni Muslim dynasty of Kurdish origin that ruled Egypt from 1171 to 1252. It is named after the dynasty Najmuddin Ayyub, the father of Saladin.

History

With the decline of the Fatimids in Egypt began increasing attacks of the Crusaders of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Against this called the Fatimids the Zengids for help, who ruled Syria. This sent troops under Sirkuh to Egypt, who had himself appointed vizier. After his death, his nephew Saladin became vizier in 1169. He eliminated in 1171, the Ismaili Fatimid dynasty of caliphs and established the Kurdish Ayyubid dynasty.

Under Saladin (1171-1193) Egypt was reorganized and strengthened the economy by encouraging agriculture and trade continues to drive the Crusaders from Jerusalem and Palestine can. Until 1181 the rule over Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, Yemen and Nubia was extended, so that Saladin ruled most of the Arab heartlands. After consolidation of the rule of Saladin defeated the Crusaders on July 4, 1187 at the Battle of Hattin near Tiberias crucial and conquered Jerusalem. In the subsequent Third Crusade succeeded the Crusaders though, some coastal cities ( including Acre ) recapture, but they could not take back Jerusalem first.

Since Saladin divided the empire before his death, it first came to power struggles in which al- Adil I. (1200-1218) against al- Mansur (1198-1200), the minor son al - Aziz (1193-1198) could prevail. It is true that al - Adil divided the empire before his death, but could his successor al - Kamil (1218-1238) the crusade of Damietta (1217-1221) ward Egypt and the crusade of Frederick II (1228-1229) through negotiations with terminate the Emperor, in which the dirt was ceded Jerusalem. Shortly before his death, al - Kamil was able to prevail in Syria.

After the outbreak of dynastic power struggles succeeded as- Salih (1240-1249), much of the Ayyubidenreichs to reunite, even if northern Syria, Upper Mesopotamia and Yemen were permanently lost. Likewise, he could conquer Jerusalem in 1244 finally by the Crusaders.

Immediately after the renewed attack of the Sixth Crusade (1249-1254) on Egypt had been averted, the last Ayyubide Turan Shah was a conspiracy of the Turkish Mamluk army in the victim when he tried to limit their influence. Now to 1257 whose stepmother malicious crowd ad -Dur led the government as regent, where she married the Mamlukenführer Aybak. This arose as al -Malik al - Muizz 1252 to the Sultan, ended the dynasty of the Ayyubids in Egypt and founded the Mamlukenreich ( 1252-1517 ).

Side lines of the Ayyubids ruled in Damascus and Aleppo until 1260 to 1262 in Homs and in Hama to 1341st In addition, there was also Ayyubid rulers in Hasankeyf ( Hisn Keyfa ), the resident back to the 15th century and remained there until the Aq Qoyunlu were eliminated.

In contrast to the Fatimid and Mamluk the following the Ayyubids ruled no central government. Rather, the sons of the ruler and other side branches of the dynasty were involved in the administration of the empire. This led, however, after the death of a ruler again and again to fight for the unity of the whole empire.

Architecture

The architecture of the Ayyubid rule is dominated by historic regional artistic traditions, mixed with stylistic elements of Iranian origin and the extensive experience that one has borrowed from the Crusader architecture.

The latter component is reflected in the impressive military purposes were architecture, such as the most outstanding work of the Citadel of Aleppo. The special architecture is manifested by a large, bare and sharp-edged - recessed into the hillside - building through which a powerful archway provides access to the citadel. Across the bridge is the monument connection to the main entrance, a porch with stairs.

Also significant is the - by the orthodox religious setting of Saladin - promoted the construction of numerous religious foundations, such as madrasas, distributed to cities such as Aleppo, Damascus and Cairo, the Egyptian. Examples are the al - Zahiriyya, the Firdaus and the al - Salihiyya - madrasahs.

The Ayyubid architecture also focused on outdoor designs, such gates (portals ) and exterior decorations (niche as structural elements Stalaktitenmotive and polychrome stone compositions).

Ruler of the Ayyubid

Rulers in Egypt

Rulers in Damascus

Emirs in Aleppo

Emirs in Hamah

Emirs in Homs

Emirs in Kerak

Emirs in Yemen see: Ayyubids (Yemen)

Emirs in al - Jazirah see: Ortoqiden

Emirs in Hisn Keyfa

(not complete)

Pedigree (excerpt)

As Sultans of Egypt reigning persons are in bold.

Trivia

The living in Turkey Ayyubid wear today the family name Eyüboğlu ( Ayyubs son).