10-25-2015, 04:51 AM
(10-25-2015, 02:42 AM)Bengalzona Wrote: Christians developed the concept of the Crusade based upon the Muslim concept of Jihad. The Muslims had been doing that against Christians and other religions for hundreds of years before the Pope called for the first Crusade.
But, of course, the whole concept of a "Holy War" was a big facade for both the Muslim and the Christian leadership. "Punishing the infidels" or "Retaking the Holy Land" was just a big excuse and a recruitment tool. The true goals had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with leaders attaining and maintaining power.
Almanzor and his ancestors used this tool in Spain in the 10th century. He, being an Arab and from the Umayyad lineage, faced growing revolts among the Berbers. The Berbers were Muslims from North Africa who were brought as mercenaries to fight in the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula and the attempted conquest of France. Though they were the best fighters in Almanzor's army, they were looked at as second class by the Arab minority. After the invasion, the Christians (former Visigoths and Romans) who were not overrun and forced into either conversion or slavery migrated north and established a handful of small kingdoms (Leon, Castille, etc.). Almanzor had rebuilt the Muslim army and had the manpower and skills to wipe out these kingdoms. He did not. They were more useful to him as they were. Each year, he would declare a Jihad against the Christians, assemble his army, and go on a limited campaign of basically raiding the Christian kingdoms for plunder and slaves. In this way, he appeased the Berber mercenaries with plunder and kept the revolts at a minimum. It was a trick he learned from his predecessors and one which subsequent caliphs would use.
Of course, the Crusades were nothing more than a way for Christian leaders to find something "constructive" for non-direct heirs to do instead of plotting against them.
fantastic post.
