Examination of the Relationship between the Turkey Seljuk State and Artukids in terms of Establishing the Political Union in Anatolia

Turkey Seljuk State (1075-1308) was founded in Anatolia after the Battle of Malazgirt. Seljuk Turks that became the strongest state in Anatolia significantly struggled to establish a political union in the region. Artukids ruled in the east and south of Anatolia in three factions as Hısnikeyfa (Hasankeyf 1101-1231), Harput (1185-1234) and Mardin (1108-1409) Artukids. Inability of Artukids to unite prevented them from being a major state. However, they survived for a long time as separate principalities by forming alliances with the nearby states and getting under their auspices. Turkey Seljuk State was in close relation with Artukids. Artukids played a key role in the eastern policy of Turkey Seljuk State. The territories of the Artukids are within the natural boundaries of Anatolia. Furthermore, Artukids is an Oghuz state similar to Seljuks. Artukids were under the auspices of Turkey Seljuk State against the other states in the region and even for their internal conflicts. Artukids bravely fought against Crusaders and supported the Islamic world; thus, the Turkey Seljuk State. Artukids participated in the political events in the region intentionally or unintentionally due to their geopolitical location. However, Artukids used this location to their best interest and protected their territorial integrity against the major states, even if it meant getting under their auspices. In order to maintain their existence, Artukids mostly asked support from Seljuk Turks and got under their auspices both against the attacks of other states and in their internal conflicts. They got under the auspices of Seljuk Syrians, Great Seljuks, Zengids, Ayyubids and other political powers in the region against the Seljuk Turks. Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I demolished Harput Artukids that formed an alliance with Ayyubids. Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I conquered Harput and its vicinity while Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II conquered Amid (Diyarbakır) and its vicinity and thus established the Turkish political union in Anatolia.

Keywords

Turkey Seljuk’s, Artukids, Political Union in Anatolia, Harput, Mardin, Hısnıkeyfa