Seljuk Turks and Their Architecture

What were the Seljuk Turks known for in the 10th century?

Which religion did the Seljuks accept during their expansion?

What was one of the principal elements of the Seljuks' political program?

What architecture style characterized Seljuk buildings in Iran?

The Crusades began as a result of the military expansion of the Seljuks.

Who was the skilled vizier that helped achieve stability in the Seljuk regime?

What decorative element was important in Seljuk architecture?

Representations of the human form were often found in Seljuk art.

What were the Sufi lodgings referred to in the Seljuk culture?

Seljuk Turks

Seljuk Turks were a pastoral people living in Central Asia east of the Caspian Sea in the 10th century.
They migrated westward into Afghanistan and then Iran and eventually into Anatolia.
They were considered a threat to the Byzantine Empire.
They consolidated their power over eastern Anatolia in 1071 and this was a key factor in sparking the Crusades.
Seljuk Turks were known for their strict military hierarchy with strong financial and landholding control.
They were influenced by earlier Islamic societies, and their political program included the mosque, the madrasa, Sufi lodgings, and the mausoleum.

Seljuk Architecture

Characterized by elaborate brickwork and the four-ivan plan, a traditional Persian architectural style.
Anatolian Seljuk architecture used stonework and tiles for decoration.
Tiles were developed in Iran and Iraq and brought to Anatolia by the Seljuks.
They were decorated with birds, animals, sphinxes, and centaurs, reflecting a continuation of ancient totemic worship in Anatolian lands.
Islamic rules forbid representation of human figures, leading to the prominent use of calligraphy in Seljuk art.

Explore the history of the Seljuk Turks, their migration patterns, and their significant impact on the Byzantine Empire. Discover their architectural style that introduced ornate decorations and Persian influences in Anatolia. This quiz covers both the political and cultural dimensions of the Seljuks.