| Revision as of 03:32, 26 July 2005 editMississippienne (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users1,197 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 13:41, 23 August 2005 edit undo83.16.78.126 (talk) +plNext edit → | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Revision as of 13:41, 23 August 2005
Atabeg is a title of nobility of Turkic origin, indicating a governor of a nation or province who was subordinate to a king or Emperor but senior to a Khan.
The word atabeg means "father of the prince". When a Seljuq prince died leaving minor heirs, a guardian would be appointed to protect and guide the young princes. These guardians would often marry their ward's widowed mothers, thusly assuming a sort of surrogate fatherhood.
The title of Atabeg was common during the Seljuq rule of the near-east starting in the 12th century. It was common in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and Persia (now Iran). The most famous Atabeg was perhaps Zengi, who became Atabeg of Mosul in 1128 and soon established himself as an independent ruler of much of northern Mesopotamia and Syria (including Aleppo). After the end of Seljuq rule the title was used only intermittently.
Sources
- Maalouf, Amin. Crusades Through Arab Eyes, 1984