The Legends Journal of European History Studies, Year 2024 Issue 5

THE EARTHQUAKES OF 1088 AND 1283 IN THE GEORGIAN CHRONICLES OF KARTLIS TSKHOVREBA

Ayşe Beyza ERCAN — 2024-10-04

The Samtskhe-Javakheti region, a historical and crucial settlement area of Southern Georgia, has witnessed numerous earthquakes due to its location on a fault line. Among these, the earthquakes that occurred in the Middle Ages, specifically in 1088 and 1283, are well-known because both caused enormous destruction and human casualties. According to different sources, the earthquake, dated to 1088 or 1089, is also known as the "Tmogvi Earthquake", probably because the name Tmogvi is mentioned in the Anonymous Georgian Chronicle Kartlis Tskhovreba. The earthquake occurred with an estimated magnitude between 6.5 and 7.5, caused immense human loss, and its aftershocks continued for a year. Likewise, the earthquake in Samtshe in 1283 impacted the region's history. The information in Kartlis Tskhovreba proves to us that both were destructive earthquakes. This study aims to contribute to the literature by surveying the earthquakes in the region in the light of the anonymous Georgian chronicle of Kartlis Tskhovreba.

The Struggles of Anatolian Beyliks with the Crusaders during the First and Second Crusades (Anatolian Seljuks, Danishmendids, Artuqids)

Tunay Karakök DİLEK GÜNEŞ — 2024-10-04

The Crusades, considered to have begun with the council held in Clermont, France, in 1905, are one of the most significant events that have shaped world history in terms of their causes and consequences. Fundamentally aimed at reclaiming the Holy Lands from Muslim control, these expeditions were influenced by economic and political motives. The Crusades left profound impacts not only in the Eastern Mediterranean but also on the political and social structure of Anatolia. Following the Battle of Manzikert, which is regarded as the event that opened the gates of Anatolia, numerous Turkish principalities were established. While these principalities were initially in conflict with one another, they set aside their hostilities in the face of the emerging Crusader mentality from the West and moved towards unity against the Crusaders. Initially, alliances formed between the Seljuk Empire and the Danishmendids, which later expanded to include other principalities. In this context, when examining the effects of the Crusades on the Turkish principalities in Anatolia, it is evident that the Seljuk Empire, the Danishmendids, and the Artuqid Principality played prominent roles in their struggles against the Crusaders

Book Culture and Libraires in Islamic Civilization: The Production, Preservation and Dissemination of Knowledge

Nihal ÖZDEMİR — 2024-10-04

This article comprehensively examines the historical development of books, book culture, and libraries in the Islamic world, as well as their roles in the production, transmission, and preservation of knowledge. The shaping of the book form and the tradition of citation (isnad) increased the accuracy of knowledge in Islamic texts, and this tradition continued strongly during the Ottoman period. The production of books became not only a cultural activity but also a prestigious craft and profession in the Islamic world. During this period, libraries became important centers that provided equal access to knowledge, reaching not only the elite but also broader segments of society. Unfortunately, the destructive effects of wars and conquests severely damaged these rich repositories of knowledge, and many libraries were lost before they could reach the present day. Libraries played a key role in the democratization of knowledge by providing equal access to information, contributing to social development. This article highlights the transformation of libraries, as mechanisms for the dissemination of knowledge, into instruments of social power and progress. It also addresses the crucial role libraries played in preserving knowledge and transmitting it to future generations.

Gülhan YAŞAR — 2024-10-04

BOOK REVIEW: AHMED REFİK, BİZANS İMPARATORİÇELERİ, OKU YAYINLARI, İSTANBUL, 2003, 93 S. ISBN:975-6393-02-5

Tunay Karakök — 2024-10-04

Ahmet Refik Altınay (1880-1937) was an Ottoman and Turkish historian, writer, and teacher. Known for his work on Ottoman history, Ahmet Refik emerged as an important intellectual figure in the final period of the Empire and the early years of the Republic. In his work "Onuncu Asr-ı Hicride İstanbul Hayatı" (Life in Istanbul in the Tenth Century of the Hijra), he provides a detailed account of daily life and social structure in 16th century Istanbul. His work "Kırım ve Kafkas Tarihine Ait Notlar" (Notes on the History of Crimea and the Caucasus) offers in-depth information on the history of Crimea and the Caucasus. Additionally, his book "Anadolu'da Türk Aşiretleri" (Turkish Tribes in Anatolia) examines the history and cultures of Turkish tribes in Anatolia. Beyond his historical research, Ahmet Refik also wrote literary works and historical novels. Known for his role as an educator, he taught at various schools, striving to instill a sense of historical awareness in younger generations. In this study, an introduction is provided to his work "Byzantine Empresses," which is considered a significant source for Byzantine history.