The Crusades began soon after the Seljuk Turks threatened the Byzantine Empire, a Christian nation and a key ally of Western Europe. The Seljuk Turks' conquests in Anatolia and their capture of Jerusalem sparked a call for the Crusades to reclaim these territories.

The Seljuks were originally Sunni Muslims, following the Hanafi school of thought. They played a significant role in spreading Islam throughout the Middle East and Central Asia during their empire's peak in the 11th century.

The Seljuk Turks threatened Christian lands through military conquests and invasions, particularly in the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Land. They captured key territories such as Jerusalem and Anatolia, leading to clashes with Christian powers like the Byzantines, Crusaders, and other European states. The Seljuks' control of strategic regions posed a significant threat to Christian control and interests in the medieval period.

The Pope accused the Seljuk Turks of invading Christian territories, desecrating holy sites, and persecuting Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. He called for a Christian military expedition to restore access to the holy land, leading to the First Crusade.

The Seljuk Empire expanded eastward due to military conquests and campaigns aimed at securing trade routes, access to resources, and spreading Islam. They were able to gain control of key regions such as Persia and Central Asia through these activities, establishing a powerful empire in the Middle East and Asia Minor.

The Seljuk Turks generally allowed Christians to practice their religion but imposed certain restrictions and discriminatory policies, such as requiring them to pay a special tax (jizya) and limiting their freedom of worship. Overall, interactions between the Seljuks and Christians varied depending on the specific ruler and region.

The Seljuks converted to Islam, specifically Sunni Islam, during the 11th century. They became strong supporters and defenders of the Islamic faith as they expanded their empire across Persia and Anatolia.

The Seljuk Empire adopted Sunni Islam as its major religion. They embraced Sunni beliefs and established Islamic institutions in their territories, promoting Islam as the dominant religion in the region.

The Seljuks built their empire through military conquests and alliances, gaining control of the Abbasid Caliphate and expanding into Anatolia and Persia. They established a system of governance that blended Persian administrative practices with Turkish tribal structures, which helped them consolidate power and maintain control over their territories. Additionally, the Seljuks made strategic marriages with local rulers to strengthen their influence in the region.

Yes, Muslims allowed pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims before the Seljuks during the First Crusade. The pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and has always been an important religious practice for Muslims.

The Seljuks established their capital in Isfahan, Iran.

The Seljuk Turks were initially followers of Sunni Islam. They played a significant role in spreading Islam throughout the Middle East and Central Asia during the medieval period.

The Seljuk Turks practiced Sunni Islam. They played a significant role in the spread of Islam in the region and their empire was characterized by a blend of Turkish and Persian cultural influences.

The Seljuk Turks primarily spoke a Turkic language known as Old Anatolian Turkish. Over time, as they interacted with different cultures and regions, they also adopted Persian and Arabic languages for administrative and literary purposes.

no clear ruler emerged