Diriliş: Ertuğrul - Part 3: The Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate
“When Ghiyath al-Din Kaykhusraw II (r.1237–46) ascended the throne following the sudden death of his father ‘Ala’ al-Din Kayqubad I (r.1220–37) in the summer of 634 AH/1237 CE, the Anatolian Seljuq Empire was at its territorial, political and military peak. After decades of swallowing principalities, absorbing neighbouring territories, and subjecting kingdoms to tributary status, the Seljuq Sultanate controlled most of the Anatolian peninsula. The wealth of the realm was legendary, and its influence extended far beyond its borders.”
- Sara Nur Yildiz (The rise and fall of a tyrant in Seljuq Anatolia: Sa‘d al-Din Köpek’s reign of terror, 1237–8)
N.B: As mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2, this may contain spoilers for watchers of both Dirilis Ertugrul & Kurulus Osman.
Who were the Seljuks?
The Great Seljuk Empire/Great Seljuk Sultanate (Büyük Selçuklu İmparatorluğu) was a Turko-Persian Sunni Muslim state founded in 1037 CE with origins from the Kinik Tribe/Qinik Tribe of Oghuz Turks.
It was named after Selçuk Bey, a 10th century Turkic military commander who converted to Islam; he was the grandfather of the founders of the Seljuk (Seldjuq/Seldjuk) dynasty: Tuğrul Bey (Toghrïl Bey/Tughrul Bey/Toghrul I/Tugril/Toghril/Tugrul) and Çağrı Bey (Caghri Bey).
Under Tughrul & Chagri, the Seljuk State was officially established in the year 1037 CE in the region of Khorasan (Khorasan/Greater Khorasan covers the present territories of northeastern Iran, parts of Afghanistan and much of Central Asia) where they defeated the Ghaznavid Empire in the Battle of Dandanaqan in 1040 CE.
From here the Seljuqs - under its first leader & Sultan, Tughrul Bey - expanded their power across the entirety of Khurasan as well as into Transoxiana* and across modern-day Iran.
*Transoxiana is the ancient name used for a vast portion of Central Asia - covers modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, southern Kyrgyzstan, and southwest Kazakhstan.
At its peak, the Seljuk State (Selçuklu Devleti) controlled territory in Persia, much of the Middle East (Western Asia), Central Asia, South-Central Asia and Asia Minor (Anatolia); the Seljuks hence united a very fractured and divided Muslim world and played an important role in the First & Second Crusades.
The Seljuk age spanned around 3 centuries though with various offshoots but none of them were able to establish a lasting state except its most prominent offshoot: the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate or the Seljuks of Rum.
Who were the Anatolian Seljuks?
The Sultanate of Rûm/Rûm Sultanate/Seljuk Sultanate of Rum/Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate/Anatolian Seljuk State (Anadolu Selçuklu Devleti) was established in the parts of Anatolia which had been conquered from the Eastern Roman Byzantine Empire by the Great Seljuk Empire under Sultan Alp Arslan (Battle of Manzikert in 1071 CE).
The Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate as mentioned above was an offshoot of the Seljuk State and was initially established by Suleiman ibn Qutulmish (Suleiman Shah I/Kutalmışoğlu Süleyman Şah/Kutalmışoğlu Suleiman) after the Battle of Manzikert.
Suleiman passed away in 1086 CE and his son Kilic Arslan I was imprisoned; after Sultan Malik-Shah I passed away in 1092 CE, he was released and from here the Great Seljuk State then split into many factions.
Kılıç Arslan I (Kilic Arslan I/Kilij Arslan I) himself then re-established the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate/Sultanate of Rûm in the same year; in Syria, Malikshah was succeeded by his brother Tutush I (his sons Radwan and Duqaq inherited Aleppo and Damascus respectively after his death).
In Persia, he was succeeded by his son Mahmud I, who announced himself as the actual Sultan of the Seljuk Empire but whose reign was contested by his other three brothers (and Malik-Shah’s sons): Barkiyaruq in Iraq, Muhammad Tapar/Muhammad I in Baghdad, and Ahmad Sanjar in Khorasan.
The Anatolian Seljuks were the last remnants of the Seljuks and fell to the reigns of the Mongol Ilkhanids in 1243 CE after the Battle of Kose Dag; the state itself eventually fell around 1307/1308 CE after the death of the last Seljuk Sultan of Rum: Mesud II (though he had no real authority).
This vacuum of leadership led to the development of various principalities and beyliks in Anatolia who eventually broke-away from the Seljuks, with the Ottoman principality (House of Osman) eventually reigning supreme and uniting Anatolia under one banner.
The Seljuks of Anatolia were responsible for one of the richest and most inventive periods in Turkish culture particularly due to the legacy of its most prominent Sultan: Ala-ad-Din Kayqubad I.
From what I have read and seen, the depictions of the Anatolian Seljuk monarchs and important Seljuk state individuals on a whole in Dirilis Ertugrul was mostly consistent with the information available on them (Tārikh-i Āl-i Saldjūq/History of the Seljuk Dynasty), apart from some few details which I will touch on (depends on an individual if they would classify these details as major or minor).
Who was Sultan Ala-ad-Din Kaykubad I?
When one thinks of the rich legacy of the Seljuks let alone the Anatolian Seljuks, a few names of this dynasty brings about a nostalgic-type emotion reminding you of their grandeur.
Such names like Muhammad bin Dawud Chaghri better known as Sultan Alp Arslan; Abu Ali Hasan ibn Ali Tusi better known by his title of Nizam-al Mulk (a scholar and Vizier of the Seljuk Empire) and the 11th Anatolian Seljuk Sultan: Sultan Alā ad-Dīn Kayqubād bin Kaykhusraw/Sultan Alâeddin Keykûbad (Kayqubad I).
Sultan Ala-ad-Din Kaykubad I was said to have been born between the years 1188 and 1190 CE (putting him at similar age to that of Ertugrul Bey who was also said to have been around the year 1188 CE) and was the second son of Ghiyāth ad-Dīn Kaykhusraw bin Kilic Arslān/Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev I (Kaykhusraw I), who was the Anatolian Seljuk Sultan on two occasions: 1192-1196 and 1205-1211.
Kaykubad;s reign was argued to be the most brilliant of the entire Anatolian Seljuk dynasty as his rule didn’t just include territorial expansion but advancements in trade, science and education, not to add the great architectural legacy he left behind; many intellectuals and artists were even said to be invited to his court, including the famous Jalal ud-Din Muhammad Rumi/Mevlana Rumi.
In under 20 years, he forged a period of unsurpassed glory in military, cultural and economic growth.
The Kayi Tribe and Ertugrul Bey moving to the western border of the Sultanate of Rum also added to his territories with the conquest of Karacahisar Kalesi as well as the tribe establishing themselves in Sogut (future base of the Ottomans under Ertugrul’s son: Osman Gazi).
This conquest was also dramatised in Dirilis Ertugrul with Ertugrul Bey later appearing before Kayqubad I in Konya (at the Seljuk Palace) and receiving an edict regarding the dominion of Sogut (and Domanic) and its exclusive nature to the Kayi Tribe & Ertugrul.
Keykubad I also understood and was mindful of the potential danger of the Mongols, and reinforced the city walls of the cities throughout the state as well strengthened the eastern borders. He also advanced his political position by a series of diplomatic marriages to simultaneously improve relations with rival groups and strengthen the Seljuk position.
He married first, the Armenian Princess Mahperi Hatun (Mah Pari Khatun) in 1221 CE and thereafter the Ayyubid Princess Ghaziya Hatun/Melike Hatun (Melike Adile Sultan) in 1227 CE (both of whom are represented in Dirilis Ertugrul; see below).
In addition, Kayqubad I had three sons, with his eldest son being Keyhüsrev II/Kaykhusraw II from Mahperi Hatun, along with Shehzade Izz al-Din Kılıçarslan and Shehzade Rukn al-Din Suleiman, sons of Melike Ghaziya Hatun (Shehzade Rukn al-Din is not mentioned/depicted in Resurrection: Ertugrul).
He passed away on the 31st of May, 1237 CE (during the month of Ramadan) around the age of 50 years old from poisoning via the schemes of his own Emir: Sadettin Kopek (this was dramatised in the series).
He was buried in the Alaeddin Mosque (pictured below) in the Anatolian Seljuk capital of Konya.
Who was Mahperi Hatun?
As mentioned above, Mahperi Hatun (also known as Hunad Hatun/Hunat Hatun/Hunat Mahperi Hatun/Mahperi Sultan) was the first wife of Sultan Ala-ad-Din Kayqubad I & the mother of Kayhusraw II/Keyhusrev II, and she was said to be of Greek/Armenian descent.
We know very little of her apart from a few mentions in Muslim & Christian sources as well the great architectural legacy she left behind.
It was said that her father was a nobleman from the Armenian Principality of Cilicia who held the fortress of Kalonoros, later known as Alanya, until 1221 CE when it was besieged by Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I.
He surrendered his fortress in exchange for an allegiance to the Anatolian Seljuks and requesting control of the town of Akşehir (as a vassal). As per the Anatolian Seljuk chronicler Ibn Bibi, he also gave his daughter Hunat Mahperi Hatun in marriage to Kayqubad I.
Mahperi Hatun is one of the earliest female art patrons in Turkish history and one of the most powerful women in the history of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum.
She was said to have built madrasahs, soup kitchens and many other works in various parts of Anatolia and today there is an entire complex in Kayseri called Hunad Hatun Complex (Hunat Hatun Külliyesi), which comprises of a madrasah/medrese (Hunat Hatun Medresesi), a mosque (Hunat Hatun Camii), a hammam (Turkish bath) as well as her own tomb (turbesi).
Unfortunately, there is speculation that along with Emir Sadettin Kopek, she helped to poison her husband Ala-ad-Din Kayqubad and even though it’s historical fiction, this speculation only heightens in my opinion with its depiction in Dirilis: Ertugrul (since the creator of the show Mehmed Bozdag is a historian).
Furthemore, it is said that with Emir Sadettin Kopek’s help, she managed to pull many important administrators of the state to her and her son's side, thereby allowing him to become Sultan upon her husband’s death.
After her husband’s death, feelings of guilt seemed to have come over her (as also seen in the series), and hence she was said to have undertaken many architectural projects including the construction of seven hans/caravenserais across northeastern Anatolia (Pazar, Çimçimli, Çekereksu, Tahtoba, Ibipse, Çiftlik and Ezinepazar).
All of them are in a state of ruin except for the Ezinepazar Han, which was extensively renovated during the Ottoman era.
Who was Ghaziya Hatun/Melike Hatun?
Melike Hatun also known as Ghaziya Hatun/Melike Ghaziya Hatun/Melike Sultan/Melike Adile Sultan/Melike-i Adiliye was an Ayyubid Princess and the second wife of Ala-ad-Din Kayqubad I and from her, he had two sons (as mentioned above): Izz al-Din Kilic Arslan (Izzettin Kılıçarslan) and Rukn al-Din Suleiman (Rüknettin Süleyman).
It was said that Melike Adile Hatun married her husband Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I in a glorious wedding that lasted for a week in Malatya in 1226 CE and that the Sultan loved her very much. Shortly thereafter, two boys named Izzeddin Kılıçarslan and Rükneddin Süleyman were born.
With the death of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I, everything suddenly reversed for Melike Adile Hatun. The notables of the state forgot their vow to the sultanate of her son Izzeddin and thereafter pledged allegiance to the son of Mahperi Hunad Hatun: Giyaseddin.
Moreover, it is reported that after the death of Kaykubad I, there was a great struggle between the two wives of the Sultan to put their sons at the head of the state, with Mahperi Hatun eventually overcoming Melike Hatun due to having primarily Emir Sadettin in her corner.
It was said that after the struggle, Melike Hatun was killed in the Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi) upon the orders of Sadettin Kopek in 1238 CE, with her two sons temporarily held captive due to Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev II being without children at the time (though they were later killed in the Uluborlu Kalesi after his son and successor was born: Sultan Keykavus II).
Who was Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II?
Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II (Ghiyath al-Din Kayhusraw II/Ghiyāth ad-Dīn Kaykhusraw bin Kayqubād) was the 12th Anatolian Seljuk Sultan and the eldest son of Alaeddin Keykubad I.
Although his father appointed his younger brother, Izzeddin Kılıç Arslan, as the crown prince, he ascended to throne of Anatolian Seljuks due particularly but not limited to, the support and leadership of Sadeddin Köpek and his mother Mahperi Hatun.
He was probably born in the year 1221 CE as he was said to be around 15-16 years old when he became Sultan (after the death of his father) in the year 1237 CE.
Some of II Giyâseddin Keyhusrev’s first pieces of business after inheriting the Anatolian Seljuk throne included accepting the foreign ambassadors who came to Kayseri prior to his father’s death; he also sent an envoy to Ögedey Khan (2nd Great Khan and son of Genghis Khan) to Mongolia (In Season 4 of Dirilis Ertugrul, we see him sending Ertugrul Bey as an envoy to Ogedei).
It was also said that due to his young age, lack of guidance and moral defects that he became extremely vulnerable to the manipulation of Emir Sadettin Kopek and hence began to distrust the statesmen who initially did not pay allegiance to him.
Emir Sadettin constantly encouraged him to eliminate them, to which he obliged and he ended up imprisoning and killing valuable and talented figures within the state, and as a result did irreparable harm to the Anatolian Seljuks.
Moreover, Emir Sadettin Kopek then started spreading rumours that he belonged to the Seljuk dynasty but with the help of Hüsâmeddin Karaca (see below), Sultan Giyaseddin finally understood the situation around Sâdeddin Köpek and had him killed (said to be around 1240 CE).
The inevitable also occurred during his reign, and the Mongols invaded Anatolia led by their fearless commander: Baiju Noyan/Baicu Noyan (who is depicted in Dirilis Ertugrul), and seized control of the Anatolian Seljuk State in 1243 CE after the Battle of Kose Dag (a battle in which Sultan Giyaseddin himself fled from after ignoring advice from his commanders).
The Seljuqs managed to negotiate with the Mongols to retain their independence, but they had to pay a substantial tribute to them and hence became a vassal state for the Mongol Ilkhanids.
The Mongols caused havoc throughout the Muslim lands and in February of 1258 CE they sacked Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, thereby leaving Muslims the world over in an existential crisis.
Who was Shehzade Izz al-Din Kilic Arslan?
Şehzade Izzettin Kılıçarslan also known as Izz-al-Din Kilic Arslan was the oldest son of the Ayyubid Princess Melike Adile Sultan, the 2nd oldest son of Sultan Ala-ad-Din Kaykubad I and one of the younger brothers of future Anatolian Seljuk Sultan: Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II (along with Rüknettin Süleyman who is not depicted or mentioned in Resurrection Ertugrul).
Izzettin Kılıç Arslan was said to be born in 1228/29 AD in the capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum: Konya. His father Alaeddin Keykubad I declared him the crown prince when he was around 8 years old (he is much younger than was depicted in Dirilis Ertugrul when announced as crown prince) whilst at that point his older brother Keyhusrev II was around 15/16 years old (Izz al-Din’s age was is one of the reasons why historically Mahperi Hatun was confused as to why he was given the Sultanate over her son Giyaseddin).
The reasoning behind Kilic Arslan’s appointment was that Keykubad I thought that the fact that he was of the ancestry of both the Seljuks and Ayyubids, it would make it more likely for the various Muslim monarchs, including the Ayyubids, to unite to deal with the Mongol threat; this reasoning was also presented in Dirilis Ertugrul.
In the end, it was Giyath al-Din Keyhusrev II who took the throne whilst Izz al-Din Kilic Arslan was imprisoned and later killed.
In the period of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubat, there were statesmen who were with the Sultan and those who were against him. Figures like Emir Kemalettin Kamyar, Kayır Han and Hüsamettin Kamyeri were in favour of the Sultan whilst the likes of Atabey Şemsettin Altunaba, Tacettin Pervane and Sadettin Kopek were in opposition to the Sultan; the latter group along with Mahperi Hatun ensured Gıyasettin Keyhüsrev II took the throne in place of his brother Izzettin Kilic Arslan.
Who was Sultan Keykavus II?
Izz ad-Dīn Kaykāwus ibn Kaykhusraw/Kaykaus II/Izzeddin Keykavus II was the son of Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhusrev II and his wife Prodoulia (she was ethnically Greek and the daughter of a Greek priest), as well as the grandson of Sultan Ala ad-Din Kaykubad I.
As mentioned above, he was born in the same year of the death of his uncle, Shehzade Izz-al-Din Kilic Arslan though I haven’t seen any specific dates (sometime between 1238 to 1240 CE).
Keykavus II was the eldest of three sons of Keyhusrev II and he is very briefly depicted in Season 5 of Dirilis Ertugrul.
He was a youth at the time of his father's death in 1246 CE and could do little to prevent the Mongol conquest of Anatolia. For most of his reign as the Seljuq Sultan of Rûm, he shared the throne with one or both of his brothers, Rukn ad-Dīn Qilij Arslān bin Kaykhusraw and Alāʾ ad-Dīn Kayqubād bin Kaykhusraw.
Season 5 of Resurrection Ertugrul is correct in depicting Keyhusrev II as being held hostage by the Byzantines/Eastern Romans but where it differs is that it portrays Ertugrul Bey as the one who saves him, rather than Berke Khan’s army.
Sultan Izzeddin Keykâvus II, despite struggling to remove the Mongols and despite not being a strong figure (both on the battlefield and in the realm of politics), was said to have been a popular figure amongst the Turkmen tribes of Anatolia.
Who was Emir Saadettin Kopek?
If there was one character who was as prominently displayed as the character of Ertugrul Bey in Dirilis Ertugrul, then it would be the man known as Emir Sa’d al-Din Köpek/Sa’d ad-Din Köpek (Sa’d al-Dīn Kobek bin Muhammad/Sadettin Kopek)
Saadettin Köpek was a Seljuk court administrator under two Seljuq Sultans of Rum: Ala ad-Din Kaykubad I and Giyath al-Din Keyhusrev II.
According to Melisa Dirilish, over the years he had a variety of duties including as an interpreter/translator; architect; Army Commander; Emir of Regents; Melikü'l Umera/Commander-in-Chief (Beylerbeyi) and Pervane (the Secretary of finances).
It was understood that his full name was Sa’d al-Dīn Kobek bin Muhammad as per the epigraph on the Zazadin Caravansary or Zazadin Han that he had it built between 1235-1237 CE, on a site between Konya and Aksaray, and that his name "Sâdeddin" was a nickname.
His name “Kopek” is unusual in Turkish since it means “dog” but at that time, his name apparently was attached to ideas of obedience, devotion, sincerity and loyalty; in hindsight, this is very ironic.
In addition, this same caravanserai (roadside inn/han) which he built, is said to have been used in various scenes in Diriliş Ertuğrul. The caravanserai remains today and bears two inscriptions: one naming Sadettin Kopek as the founder, and the other indicating the patronage of both Sultan Ala ad-Din Kayqubad I and his successor, Sultan Kaykhusraw II.
Our first meeting with this character in Dirilis Ertugrul comes in Season 2 where he saves Noyan from execution within the Kayi & Dodurga camps as there was to be an exchange of Seljuk soldiers for Noyan. This though is probably fictional as it is doubted that Noyan even had such a close contact with Ertugrul himself or the Kayis (though he was present in Anatolia on behalf of the Mongols).
In fact, much of what is seen between Ertugrul Bey and Emir Saadettin is suspected of being fictional as there no accounts which indicate such close encounters between the two. Hence, Ertugrul exposing Saadettin Kopek’s treachery in Season 4 at the Seljuq Palace in Konya, in the presence of Sultan Ala ad-Din Kaykubad I, is probably also fictional.
There is no real information about the first years of Sadettin's life and it is suspected that he may not have been a Turk. We also don’t know how exactly he entered into the service of Anatolian Seljuks but his rise was fairly rapid.
It should also be acknowledged that he had a big passion for architecture, and this definitely comes across in Resurrection Ertugrul, where we see him at various times in the process of creating his own personal architectural designs.
As seen in the series, he does try to claim the Seljuk throne for himself but unlike the series where Ertugrul stops him, it was actually primarily the efforts of Husam ad-Din Qaraja (see below).
Who was Husameddin Karaca?
Hüsameddin Karaca/Husam al-Din Qaraja/Husam ad-Din Qaraja was said to be the Governor of Sivas, a previous holder of the post of amīr-i jāndār (the head of imperial guards whose duty was to protect the Sultan), and arguably more importantly known as the one who disposed of the notorious Emir Sa’d al-Din Kopek.
Husameddin Karaca was not intimately involved in the politics of the Seljuk court but when the realisation dawned on Sultan Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II that Köpek wanted the Seljuq throne, he sent one of his household servants to make contact with Karaca, and to mention to him the schemes of Sadettin Köpek and how the Sultan was a prisoner in his own palace.
In Dirilis Ertugrul, we see Husamettin Karaca working with Ertugrul Bey and his Alps in order to get rid of Emir Saadettin Köpek.
Meanwhile, Keyhüsrev II, who introduced his plan to Hüsameddin Karaca about how he was going to dispose of Sadettin Kopek, held a feast a few days later. With this special plan in place, Husameddin Karaca managed to successfully dispose of the tyrannical Emir Sadettin.
Who was Atabey Ertokus?
Mübârizüddin Ertokuş/Mubariz al-Din Ertokus/Atabey Ertokuş/Ertokuş Bey was a loyal Seljuk statesman with around 40 years of service; a well-known dignitary at the court of Alaeddin Keykubad I and served three generations of Anatolian Seljuk Sultans: Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev I (both of his reigns); the sons of Keyhusrev I: Sultan Izzeddin Keykavus I and Sultan Alaeddin Kaykubad I as well as the son of Keykubad I: Sultan Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev II.
In Dirilis Ertugrul, he comes to the camp where the Kayi & Dodurga tribes are residing to speak Ertugrul Bey and in fact rebukes Hayme Hatun and the others for exiling him, due to the threat of the Mongols. He later secretly met with Ertugrul to tell him that his long-lost brother Sungurtekin Bey was still alive and in fact working as a spy for the Anatolian Seljuks within the Mongol ranks (though this is fictional).
Who was Atabey Altun Aba?
Şemseddin Altun Aba/Shams al-Din Altinapa, later known as simply Atabey Altun Aba, began his career as a military commander for Sultan Kiliç Arslan II and his son Rukneddin Suleyman.
He continued to serve under Giyaseddin Keyhüsrev I, and then his son, Alaeddin Keykubad I. Kaykubad I then appointed him as the atabeg/atabey (imperial guardian) of Gıyaseddin Keyhüsrev II (in the Erzincan Estate), who was the last Sultan he served (Altun Aba being Keyhusrev’s atabey is also portrayed in Dirilis Ertugrul where we also see him as being a close associate of Keyhusrev’s mother, Mahperi Hatun).
It was also Altun Aba who was amongst the important figures like Emir Saadettin Kopek that assisted Keyhusrev II to become Sultan upon the death of the Kaykubad I in 1237 CE.
In Dirilis Ertugrul, we also see him with the Seljuk soldiers who were escorting Izz al-Din Kilic Arslan and his mother Melike Adile Hatun to Konya; they stopped off along the road and Altun Aba, upon the orders of Mahperi Hatun, killed them both so as to ensure Keyhusrev II became Sultan.
Furthermore, during the skirmish he got injured via an arrow by Ertugrul who had attempted to save them; Altun Aba requested Sadettin Kopek’s help to remove the arrow and Kopek appeared to help him, but then stabbed him and killed him.
Who was Afsin Bey?
Afşin Bey was a Seljuk Commander in the 11th century and was said to have come from a Turkmen family from Khorasan. He was said to have started his duty by joining the ranks of Çağrı Bey (Chief of Seljuk Armies) in the year 1016 CE in his campaigns to the west and also played an integral part in the Battle of Manzikert against the Byzantines (Eastern Roman Empire) in 1071 CE.
In Dirilis Ertugrul, he is paid homage to and we see him operating as a spy for the Anatolian Seljuk dynasty. He even enters the Kayi Tribe undercover in order to keep an eye on Shehzade Nouman (see below) and his children, Halime Sultan and Shehzade Yigit (see below). He later killed Shehzade Nouman for his attempt to revolt against the Seljuks (due to encouragement on the part of the Ayyubids of Aleppo).
A lot of his life is unknown though and similar to his depiction in Dirilis Ertugrul, he just seemed to vanish without a trace.
Who was Atsız Bey?
Atsiz Ibn Uwaq al-Khwarizmi, also known as al-Aqsis, Atsiz ibn Uvaq, Atsiz ibn Oq and Atsiz ibn Abaq, was a Khwarezmian Turkish mercenary commander of Oghuz Turkic origins (he came from the same tribe as that of the Seljuks: Kinik Tribe) and in a similar fashion to that of Afsin Bey (& even the likes of Artuk Bey, Tughtekin, etc), he was also paid homage to in Dirilis Ertugrul.
In Resurrection Ertugrul, he is presented as a spy for the Anatolian Seljuks within the ranks of the Byzantines so as to help Ertugrul and the Kayi Tribe conquer the Karacahisar Kalesi.
We don’t really know much of his early life or when he was born but around the same time as the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 CE, he established a principality on behalf of the Great Seljuk Empire (& the Abbasid Caliphate) in modern Palestine and southern Syria, after seizing these from the Shia Fatimid Caliphate. In 1076 CE he then captured Damascus thereby becoming the first Seljuk Emir of Damascus, and where he began construction of the Citadel of Damascus.
Fictional Characters:
Who was Shehzade Nouman?
Shehzade Nouman (Şehzade Nouman) was a fictional Seljuk prince who was said to be the father of Halime Sultan. He was killed by Afsin Bey for betrayal against the Seljuks that was encouraged from the Ayyubids of Aleppo (Season 1).
Who was Shehzade Yigit?
Shehzade Yigit (Şehzade Yiğit) was a fictional Seljuk prince who was said to be the son of Shehzade Nouman and younger brother of Halime Sultan. He was killed by men appointed by Emir Saadettin Kopek who wanted to take out Ertugrul Bey whilst he was on his way migrating to the western borders of the Seljuk state. (Season 2).
Who was Karatoygar?
Kara toygar/Karatoygar was a fictional Seljuk commander who at the beginning of Season 1 is seen to have cooperated with Crusaders to capture Sehzade Nouman and his children, Sehzade Yigit and Halime Sultan.
He also cooperated with Kurdoglu of the Kayi Tribe when Shehzade Nouman and his family took residence within the tribe, since they were freed from Crusader hands by Ertugrul and his Alps: Turgut, Bamsi and Dogan.
Who was Karabek?
Karabek was an assistant of sorts of Emir Saadettin Kopek and we see him in Season 2 visiting the camp of Noyan. When Ertugrul was captured by Noyan, he tried to hide his ring which had the Seljuk emblem on it.
He was later killed by Tangut (right-hand man of Noyan) so that he couldn’t expose the relationship between Noyan and Emir Sadettin, to Ertuğrul Bey.
Who was Goktug?
Goktug was a loyal servant and assistant of Emir Sa’d al Din Kopek. He did all of his dirty work but was later killed by Ertugrul after Sadettin Kopek sent him to kill the former Tekfur Ares (Ahmet Alp) who was brought by Ertugrul to testify before Sultan Ala ad-Din Kaykubad I, about the betrayal and treachery of Emir Saadettin.
Who was Aziz?
Aziz was the right hand man of Sultan Ala ad-Din Kaykubad I. Along with Ertugrul, he was accused of killing the Sultan (though they were later cleared of this accusation).
Who was Gunalp Bey?
Gunalp Bey was another close associate of Emir Sadettin Kopek and a prominent Seljuk commander. His father, Tayı Bey was said to have been a commander loyal to Sultan Alaeddin and hence he, alongside his wife and troops, were killed for being loyal to the state by Emir Saadettin Kopek and his troops. Since he was the only one to survive the raid, he was taken under the care of Emir Sadettin and ultimately rose in the ranks of the Anatolian Seljuks (Emir Sadettin made it appear as if he was saving him when he in fact killed Gunalp’s parents).
He became a commander and was used deceptively by Sadettin Kopek to halt Ertugrul Bey and his efforts. Emir Sadettin’s true nature was revealed to him by Ertugrul, and he later became a good friend of Ertugrul and his Alps as well as commander in chief of Karacahisar Castle/Karacahisar Kalesi.
We see him leave at the end of Season 4 since he was required to undertake a new duty.
Who was Emir Bahattin?
Emir Bahattin was a Seljuk Emir in Season 5 of Dirilis Ertugrul. He was very much subservient to the Mongols and later died at their hands.
The closest name I have seen of an Emir Bahattin from the Seljuk Era, was an Emir Bahattin Kutluca who was said to be a commander during the reigns of brothers Sultan Keykavus I and Sultan Kaykubad I.
And Allah knows best.
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Jazak’Allah Khayr.
