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Chapter 77: Wars of the Holy Sepulchre
What was the main conflict going on in the Middle East during the twelfth century? As you may have guessed, religion continues to play an important, perhaps even decisive role in this region, and particularly sensitive is the issue of the ownership of the Holy Land, containing biblical locations such as Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem.
While northern Syria was reconquered from the Seljuks by Rhomaic troops, southern Syria as well as the Holy Land were under the control of Tutush, one of the successors of the Seljuks. The realm of Tutush had been relatively weak since the very beginning, as the majority of the population in Damascus and the inland regions were belonging to the Syriac Jacobite Church, that is Miaphysites, strongly opposed to Nestorianism [1]. The coastal areas were, however, mostly Chalcedonian, with the Tutushid realm surrounded by an ever more ambitious Egypt and Rhomania.
The Seljuk policies, especially regarding the Holy Land, where they put all of the important Christian monuments under the control of Assyrian monks, and demanded high fees from pilgrims of other denominations, resulted in the so-called Wars of the Holy Sepulchre[2].
View attachment 509413
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Who controls it?
After the death of Tutush, his heir Duqaq got into a quarrel with his nephew Tutush II., who was rather sympathetic of the Syriac Jacobites. Tutush fled to Egypt, where Yaraklas welcomed him and, having already a candidate to enthrone in –Damascus, marched upon Jerusalem. The Egyptian campaign was also aided by an unexpected ally – the Arab tribes in Midian. Ultimately, in the First War of the Holy Sepulchre, the Nestorians lose and Tutush II is proclaimed King of Syria and Damascus in 1104.
Unfortunately for him, this considered an insult to the Great Seljuks in Qtespon, that these places are left under the rule of such blasphemous heretics, and the Second War of the Holy Sepulchre begins in 1115, with Turkic cavalry manifesting its superiority in many battles, taking control of Damascus after a swift siege, but resulting in a bloodbath. Subsequently, the Duchy of Aram is set up, while the Holy Land, once conquered by the Seljuks, is organized in a theocratic manner, and indeed is proclaimed as the Holy State of the City of Jerusalem, directly administered by the Nestorian Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Holy Order of Mar Addai.
Unfortunately for the Nestorians, this new state was not of long duration either. This was caused by a similar way of thinking among Italian merchants and Frankish knights, who jointly sought to regain control of the region for the Chalcedonian faith[3] (and, also very importantly, to take control of the Neguev Desert and the Gulf of Aqaba, allowing access to the trade with India.
Therefore, the Latins waged war against the Turks in the Third War of the Holy Sepulchre in 1154. Unsurprisingly, the Maronites managed to reassume independence as a separate kingdom in Lebanon, while the city of Damascus was captured by the Rhomaics in a brief campaign. By in 1157, the area between the Mediterranean and the Dead See, extending to the Jordan River, and ultimately beyond, is under the control of the Chalcedonians, declare the holy Land to be under the direct rule of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is restored to his office. In practical terms, the most important office was that of the Defender of Jerusalem, who was actually in charge of the temporal matters in the Patriarchate. The Defender was usually the man who was to be seen dealing with practical matters; however the real executive power was vested in the six grand offices: the constable, the marshal, the seneschal, the chamberlain, the butler, the chancellor and the bailiff. The last one grew to ever-more more prominence, as he was literally the regent, and generally the office of the Defender and the Bailiff would come to be combined.
View attachment 509415
Map of the Southern Levant
As for the demographics, one can observe a significant decline of population in the area, caused by continuous warfare. Separate demographic patterns could have been observed in urban and rural areas: the urban centres saw major demographic disturbances, caused by continued warfare; while the rural areas did not witness as much disruption.
The rural population of the Patriarchate could be estimated to be somewhere at around 200 000 people. Most of the villagers were indeed Chalcedonian Christians, speaking mainly Aramaic, to a lesser extent also Arabic (in the south). These could number to some perhaps 130 000[4]. The second most numerous were Samaritans, living, well in northern Samaria, numbering some 30 000 people, followed by Nestorian Christians (some perhaps 25 000 people) and the remaining 15 000 being mostly Syriacs, Jews and Copts. Ultimately, another 40 000 Frankish (mainly Occitan and Provensal) farmers arrived in the area, who were separated from their neighbours mainly by their language. The Latin-speaking farmers have settled mostly on the coastal plains and in the proximity of castles; the Syriac Jacobites actually spoke mainly Arabic and lived in the Negev, while some others spoke Aramaic and could be found in the Galilee. Nestorians have settled mainly in the proximity of key Biblical locations, with Galilee and the Golan being the areas with their highest concentrations.
View attachment 509416View attachment 509417
Demography of Jerusalem
Regarding the urban population, the numbers have risen again from a drop to a mere 75 000 back to 200 000; with major urban centres being found on the coasts: Acre, Ceasarea, Jaffa, Tyre, Gaza and Ascalon; with Jerusalem and Nazareth being major exceptions, while Tiberias sort of fits into the rule by being on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. The coastal cities have soon come to be dominated by Italian, to a lesser extent also Occitan townsfolk, who could number as much as 100 000.Significant remained also local Greek Orthodox (Aramaic-speaking, also partially Hellenophone) townsfolk, making 30 000 as well; numerously similar were Maronites (20 000) and Armenians at 15 000 (an Armenian Quarter could have been found in every major city). Furthermore, you could meet some Nestorians (15 000), newly installed Greeks (10 000), Syriac Jacobites (5 000). Ultimately, there were also Jewish and Samaritan townsfolk (5 000 together).
Thus, all in all, the realm had some 400 000 people, with the Latins actually being the most numerous at 140 000 (32%), followed by Palestinian Greek Orthodox 115 000 (26%) and Maronites 60 000 (14%). Important minorities also include 40 000 Assyrians (9%), 30 000 Samaritans (7%) and 15 000 Armenians and Greeks each (4%). The rest being Syriacs, Jews and Copts.
As the victors of the Third War of the Holy Sepulchre were mainly from Western Europe, they took with them most of the advantages; handing out landed titles and taking control of the trade in the area. Very favourable to the new arrangement were especially the Maronites, living in the north of the realm; the Palestinian Orthodox may have preferred to be united under the Rhomaic Empire, should the Emperor at least care a little for the region. The new regime is not however seen very positively by the Armenians or the Assyrians[5] . The Samaritans are mostly left alone without major concern.
Further northwards, we can see the Duchy of Lebanon, a Maronite state, which reclaimed its independence during the Wars of the Holy Sepulchre. Lebanon has very close ties with Jerusalem, and has opened its ports to Italian (and Greek) merchants, seeking not to give the Rhomaic Empire any casus belli.
Ultimately, the Duchy of Aram continues to exist as a rump state on the fringes of the Syrian Desert.
View attachment 509418
Forms of government in the southern Levant
[1] Yes, the Nestorian-Miaphysite divide is going to play the role of the Sunni-Shia divide
[2] Yes, an analogy to the Crusades. But you fight for the True Faith, against blasphemous heretics.
[3] After all, Jerusalem was also the home of one of the Patriarchates of the ancient Pentarchy, which was however in enemy hands.
[4] Of these, some 40 000 could be Maronites
[5] However, quie a few of the believers of the Church of the East used to be Syriac Orthodox or Chalcedonian previously, and were converted by the previous regime.
While northern Syria was reconquered from the Seljuks by Rhomaic troops, southern Syria as well as the Holy Land were under the control of Tutush, one of the successors of the Seljuks. The realm of Tutush had been relatively weak since the very beginning, as the majority of the population in Damascus and the inland regions were belonging to the Syriac Jacobite Church, that is Miaphysites, strongly opposed to Nestorianism [1]. The coastal areas were, however, mostly Chalcedonian, with the Tutushid realm surrounded by an ever more ambitious Egypt and Rhomania.
The Seljuk policies, especially regarding the Holy Land, where they put all of the important Christian monuments under the control of Assyrian monks, and demanded high fees from pilgrims of other denominations, resulted in the so-called Wars of the Holy Sepulchre[2].
View attachment 509413
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Who controls it?
After the death of Tutush, his heir Duqaq got into a quarrel with his nephew Tutush II., who was rather sympathetic of the Syriac Jacobites. Tutush fled to Egypt, where Yaraklas welcomed him and, having already a candidate to enthrone in –Damascus, marched upon Jerusalem. The Egyptian campaign was also aided by an unexpected ally – the Arab tribes in Midian. Ultimately, in the First War of the Holy Sepulchre, the Nestorians lose and Tutush II is proclaimed King of Syria and Damascus in 1104.
Unfortunately for him, this considered an insult to the Great Seljuks in Qtespon, that these places are left under the rule of such blasphemous heretics, and the Second War of the Holy Sepulchre begins in 1115, with Turkic cavalry manifesting its superiority in many battles, taking control of Damascus after a swift siege, but resulting in a bloodbath. Subsequently, the Duchy of Aram is set up, while the Holy Land, once conquered by the Seljuks, is organized in a theocratic manner, and indeed is proclaimed as the Holy State of the City of Jerusalem, directly administered by the Nestorian Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Holy Order of Mar Addai.
Unfortunately for the Nestorians, this new state was not of long duration either. This was caused by a similar way of thinking among Italian merchants and Frankish knights, who jointly sought to regain control of the region for the Chalcedonian faith[3] (and, also very importantly, to take control of the Neguev Desert and the Gulf of Aqaba, allowing access to the trade with India.
Therefore, the Latins waged war against the Turks in the Third War of the Holy Sepulchre in 1154. Unsurprisingly, the Maronites managed to reassume independence as a separate kingdom in Lebanon, while the city of Damascus was captured by the Rhomaics in a brief campaign. By in 1157, the area between the Mediterranean and the Dead See, extending to the Jordan River, and ultimately beyond, is under the control of the Chalcedonians, declare the holy Land to be under the direct rule of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is restored to his office. In practical terms, the most important office was that of the Defender of Jerusalem, who was actually in charge of the temporal matters in the Patriarchate. The Defender was usually the man who was to be seen dealing with practical matters; however the real executive power was vested in the six grand offices: the constable, the marshal, the seneschal, the chamberlain, the butler, the chancellor and the bailiff. The last one grew to ever-more more prominence, as he was literally the regent, and generally the office of the Defender and the Bailiff would come to be combined.
View attachment 509415
Map of the Southern Levant
As for the demographics, one can observe a significant decline of population in the area, caused by continuous warfare. Separate demographic patterns could have been observed in urban and rural areas: the urban centres saw major demographic disturbances, caused by continued warfare; while the rural areas did not witness as much disruption.
The rural population of the Patriarchate could be estimated to be somewhere at around 200 000 people. Most of the villagers were indeed Chalcedonian Christians, speaking mainly Aramaic, to a lesser extent also Arabic (in the south). These could number to some perhaps 130 000[4]. The second most numerous were Samaritans, living, well in northern Samaria, numbering some 30 000 people, followed by Nestorian Christians (some perhaps 25 000 people) and the remaining 15 000 being mostly Syriacs, Jews and Copts. Ultimately, another 40 000 Frankish (mainly Occitan and Provensal) farmers arrived in the area, who were separated from their neighbours mainly by their language. The Latin-speaking farmers have settled mostly on the coastal plains and in the proximity of castles; the Syriac Jacobites actually spoke mainly Arabic and lived in the Negev, while some others spoke Aramaic and could be found in the Galilee. Nestorians have settled mainly in the proximity of key Biblical locations, with Galilee and the Golan being the areas with their highest concentrations.
View attachment 509416View attachment 509417
Demography of Jerusalem
Regarding the urban population, the numbers have risen again from a drop to a mere 75 000 back to 200 000; with major urban centres being found on the coasts: Acre, Ceasarea, Jaffa, Tyre, Gaza and Ascalon; with Jerusalem and Nazareth being major exceptions, while Tiberias sort of fits into the rule by being on the coast of the Sea of Galilee. The coastal cities have soon come to be dominated by Italian, to a lesser extent also Occitan townsfolk, who could number as much as 100 000.Significant remained also local Greek Orthodox (Aramaic-speaking, also partially Hellenophone) townsfolk, making 30 000 as well; numerously similar were Maronites (20 000) and Armenians at 15 000 (an Armenian Quarter could have been found in every major city). Furthermore, you could meet some Nestorians (15 000), newly installed Greeks (10 000), Syriac Jacobites (5 000). Ultimately, there were also Jewish and Samaritan townsfolk (5 000 together).
Thus, all in all, the realm had some 400 000 people, with the Latins actually being the most numerous at 140 000 (32%), followed by Palestinian Greek Orthodox 115 000 (26%) and Maronites 60 000 (14%). Important minorities also include 40 000 Assyrians (9%), 30 000 Samaritans (7%) and 15 000 Armenians and Greeks each (4%). The rest being Syriacs, Jews and Copts.
As the victors of the Third War of the Holy Sepulchre were mainly from Western Europe, they took with them most of the advantages; handing out landed titles and taking control of the trade in the area. Very favourable to the new arrangement were especially the Maronites, living in the north of the realm; the Palestinian Orthodox may have preferred to be united under the Rhomaic Empire, should the Emperor at least care a little for the region. The new regime is not however seen very positively by the Armenians or the Assyrians[5] . The Samaritans are mostly left alone without major concern.
Further northwards, we can see the Duchy of Lebanon, a Maronite state, which reclaimed its independence during the Wars of the Holy Sepulchre. Lebanon has very close ties with Jerusalem, and has opened its ports to Italian (and Greek) merchants, seeking not to give the Rhomaic Empire any casus belli.
Ultimately, the Duchy of Aram continues to exist as a rump state on the fringes of the Syrian Desert.
View attachment 509418
Forms of government in the southern Levant
[1] Yes, the Nestorian-Miaphysite divide is going to play the role of the Sunni-Shia divide
[2] Yes, an analogy to the Crusades. But you fight for the True Faith, against blasphemous heretics.
[3] After all, Jerusalem was also the home of one of the Patriarchates of the ancient Pentarchy, which was however in enemy hands.
[4] Of these, some 40 000 could be Maronites
[5] However, quie a few of the believers of the Church of the East used to be Syriac Orthodox or Chalcedonian previously, and were converted by the previous regime.
- Tomislav Addai
- Word Count: 1.4k