The Saljuq Campaign against the Crimea and the Expansionist Policy of the Early Reign of 'Ala' al-Din Kayqubad

摘要

The reign of Sultan 'Ala' al-Din Kayqubad (1219-1237) is depicted by both mediaeval and modern sources as the apogee of the Saljuq Sultanate of Rum (Anatolia) (c. 1081-1308). The later court historian, Ibn Bibi, reflected subsequent generations' perception of 'Ala' al-Din when he recorded that "the earth has never borne a king the like of him, nor have the high heavens looked down on such a one". Above all, his reign was remembered for the great military conquests that unified much of Anatolia under Saljuq rule. To the north, south and east neighbouring principalities, both Muslim and Christian, were either annexed outright or reduced to tributary status in a series of memorable campaigns.