Ibn al-Athir Reflects on the Rise of the Franks

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The power of the Franks and their increased importance were first manifested by
their invasion of the lands of ***** and their conquest of part of them in the year
478 [1085-6], for [that was when] they took the city of Toledo and other cities of
Spain, as we have already mentioned.
Then in the year 484 [1091-2] they attacked and conquered the island of Sicily,
as we have also mentioned. They descended on the coasts of Ifriqiya and seized
some part, which was then taken back from them. Later they took other parts, as
you shall see.
Ibn al-Athir - The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir for the Crusading Period, Part 1, trans. D.S. Richards (Ashgate, 2005).

[@ExVeritateLibertas]

Interestingly, a friend told me the story of a dinner with some Saudis on a business trip. They told him that in the Arabic language, what we call the Eastern Orthodox church is called the "Roman" church. (The Byzantines called themselves "Romoi") What we call the Roman Catholic church is called the "Frankish" church. I cannot vouch for the accuracy since I dont know Arabic, but would make sense taking into account their historical interaction with Europe.

[@judsonwall8615]

Also makes more sense, given that “Byzantium” was literally the Roman Empire and the Latin west was dominated by Frankish descendants and cultural systems.

[@sari8438]

True. The Frankish is a term used to describe majority of Western European by Arabs. That time.

[@Thor-Orion]

4:30 this is such a personally inspiring period of history for me. I’m extremely gothic, as I’ve mentioned more times than anyone has cared to read, and Pelayo holding out in Asturias is so inspiring, and then that seed growing into the Reconquista of the entire Iberian Peninsula over the following 700 years just fills me with so much pride and motivation to never give up and keep chipping away at whatever goal I set. As an individual we don’t have 700 years, but we can plant seeds that will bear fruit for millennia to come!

[@hairyjohnson2597]

I know this content is old. I've watched it numerous times. Just wanted to say that I really love this content. You are reading primary sources and then sharing a narrative on the topic. Would love to hear herodotus, tacitus, etc. Cheers!

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoy it! Thank you!

[@lloydbautista2055]

I never thought of describing it in this way before, but I guess if I had to describe the High Middle Ages in one sentence I would say that it was the time when the Latin West regained international prominence for the first time since the fall of Rome.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

I've always preferred the "big picture," so I can appreciate Ibn al-Athir's work. Another excellent video, "J." Looking forward to the next ones.

[@christophergrillo5099]

Looking forward to the podcast on the Norman conquest of Sicily

[@mu0FFpu0FF]

Found you.

[@briangeeslin5938]

We must keep in mind when we convert dates that the Muslim calendar starts in 622 AD but the Islamic calender is lunar! So it is not simple addition! One needs to tread carefully. I love this channel!

[@sw8741]

What is interesting to me is this Chroniciler believes these are actually "Lands of Islam" and not lands that were invaded by Islam centuries earlier. Complete lack of any reference to the past and shows how much the Learned weren't really "learned". But that would be expected since information, books, education was extremely limited to anyone. Thanks for bringing primary sources to the table.

[@newtype0083]

In Islamic jurisprudence, any lands conquered, occupied, or inhabited by any Muslims are permanently part of Dar-el-Islam. They don't recognize any retreats, losses, or concessions.

[@javier6926]

newtype0083 yep, that’s why jihadis still consider the Iberian peninsula , Sicily and the Balkans to be “ Islamic lands occupied by the infidels”.

[@briangeeslin5938]

You do a great job!

[@Freakeasy_chicago]

It's ridiculous for the chronicler to act like they were victims of the Franks.

[@papageitaucher618]

Spain was actually Muslim for the same amount of time as it was Christian previously

[@Nonamearisto]

Islam is like Social Justice. In their minds, no matter what happens or who does what, the Muslims and SJWs are always the victims.

[@hassamkkkk5721]

Nonamearisto that’s a wide , unreasonable, and typical generalization but ok

[@scottdodge6979]

A view most high school history courses share unfortunately. The notion that the Christian's were the aggressors is asinine. The Muslims had been waging wars of agression for centuries

[@michaelroach4219]

@@scottdodge6979 right on.

[@levinb1]

Great primary source review!!

[@altalt839]

But, these were both previously Christian

[@lloydbautista2055]

Nearly the whole Middle East was previously Christian outside the Arabian Peninsula.

[@DiamondMind]

Music is a nice touch

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

thanks glad you liked it

[@auroramariealmeara8622]

They were previously christian.

[@natedill9180]

? Lol they were originally pagan before Christianity

[@kafon6368]

@@natedill9180 They were inhabited by dinosaurs first.

[@ronbo11]

@@kafon6368 and the dinosaurs all got big and fat and died to make oil.

[@beelzebub3676]

Fuck yeah

[@JB-ml7xe]

Bonum video!

[@antonioperito6607]

Good thing this was the first video I watched. I wanted to know where I should start. Thank you.

[@stelios-1821]

Samuel Huntighton was right.

[@antoinelambert938]

@RealCrusadesHistory I just read something about the mongolian "crusade" and its link to St- Louis as well as the italian caused civil war that prevented total victory. If you havent yet made a video on it, it is something fascinating I would love to learn more about (sentiment that will surely ne shared by many).

[@historicalminds6812]

Are there any other Muhammaden sources of note that are closer or even contemporary to the crusades in which they talk about?

[@DrFit96]

HistoricalMinds ebn el qasir ابن الكثير He is a bigger source

[@pavelavietor1]

Hello they Europeans

[@pavelavietor1]

Hello the Crusaders never utilized any Mexicans the Vikings discover Latino America later