Afshin Bey

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Afshin Bey
Born1016 (1016)
Diedc. 1077 (aged 60–61)
AllegianceSeljuk Empire
RankMilitary Commander

Afshin Bey (Turkish: Afşin Bey; fl.1016–1077) was a Khorasani Turkmen commander of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century. He served three Sultans: Chaghri Beg, Alp Arslan and Malik-Shah I. He is believed to have disappeared after 1077.

Life[]

The young Afshin joined the service of Chaghri bin Mika'il bin Saljûk in 1016 and assisted him in his campaigns.[1][2] In 1064, He was made responsible for the Seljuk incursions into Byzantium. He conquered many cities that still remain in Turkey today.[3] Due to his great feats, he had become a bitter enemy of the Byzantines and was captured near Hoshin (later, released for ransom).[1] He partnered with Emir Gümüshtigin of the Danishmendid dynasty to defeat the Byzantines in Malatya.[1][2] In 1066, the Bey raided the Nur Mountains.[4] In 1067, he captured Kayseri and Kilikiya.[5] His liege Alp Arslan was overjoyed with these military feats.[2] Later, Afshin Bey raided Georgian territories.[1] In 1070, Afshin Bey with his soldiers (10,000 men) defeated another Byzantine army.[1] In a sudden twist of events, a Seljuk commander killed Afshin's brother, and Afshin killed him for revenge. This made Afshin a fugitive and he ran away to Anatolia, conquering lands on the way. After some time passed, Afshin made peace with Alp Arslan and gave those lands to him.[1] In 1071, Afshin participated in Battle of Manzikert as a Seljuk commander.[2] In 1077, Malik Shah I shifted several commanders including Afshin Bey to be under the command of his brother Tutush.[1] Afshin was sent to Aleppo to crush rebellions.[1] However, disagreements ensued and Afshin disappeared.

In popular culture[]

He was paid homage by Diriliş: Ertuğrul, a historical docudrama. His character was played by  [tr].[1]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ibn Aziz Ahmed, Ammār. "Who was Afshin Bey?". Retrieved June 30.
  2. ^ a b c d Sözlük, Ekşi. "Afşin Bey".
  3. ^ Baynes, T.S. (2008). Anni, Encyclopædia Britannica (9th ed.). New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 72.
  4. ^ Jos J. S. Weitenberg, "The Armenian Monasteries in the Black Mountain", in K. Ciggaar and M. Metcalf (eds.), East and West in the Medieval Eastern Mediterranean, Vol. 1 (Peeters, 2006), pp. 79–81.
  5. ^ Brian Todd Carey (2012). Road to Manzikert: Byzantine and Islamic Warfare (527–1071), p. 132. ISBN 978-184884-215-1.
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