Shirkuh campaign

**St Naffatun** · June 17, 2008, 06:26 AM

Does anyone have any information on this mans military campaign in Egypt? It's argued his nephew Saladin could only have defeated the Crusaders with the vast wealth of Egypt at his disposal, which is why Nuradin sent Shirkuh in the first place.

However all I can really find on wikipedia or anywhere else regarding that campaign is "Shirkuh conquered Egypt then died leaving it in the hands of Saladin" and that's about it. No specific info regarding seiges, or decisive battles. Conquering one of the richest nations at the time must have entailed a few stories.

Terry Jones in a documentary describes him as "a one-eyed fat little man that enjoyed eating and drinking alchohol to excess and could always be found in the mess tent swapping jokes with his men. He was however a military leader of genius"

Must have had a source for this, particularly the genius part.

Any info appreciated, thanks.

**The Noble Lord** · June 17, 2008, 07:21 PM

Hi,

According to the historicall evidence that is available to us, we can say that Shirkuh was Saladin's uncle and that he was sent to Egypt to arrange the peaceful transition between the Fatimid rulers. However, peace deal didnt go through and Shirkuh in 1169 invaded Egypt and took Cairo. The Fatimids were no more. Grateful to his uncle, Saladin instaled Shirkuh to the position of the grand Wazir. But only 4 years later Shirkuh died peacefuly in his bed. Immediately afterwards Saladin assumed supreme command, took over Syria from Nur ad-Din al Zengi and founded the Ayubid empire.
Yes, Shirkuh is mainly remembered for conquering Egypt.

CHEERS

**TheG** · June 18, 2008, 02:56 AM

As far as I know Shirkuh was Nuredin's general whom he trusted very much. I think he was also involved in the siege of Daimetta (not tottaly sure)

Well he died of food poisoning after a big party

**St Naffatun** · June 18, 2008, 03:50 AM

Ok thanks for that, it looks like those battles, and the tactics used were never recorded properly then? Who was the Egyptian commander, how many men and of what type on each side.

Such a shame, particularly as it affected so much of the history thereafter.

**nnnm** · June 18, 2008, 04:16 AM

Originally Posted by St Naffatun

Ok thanks for that, it looks like those battles, and the tactics used were never recorded properly then? Who was the Egyptian commander, how many men and of what type on each side.

Such a shame, particularly as it affected so much of the history thereafter.

well... first the only things you got them right is he lost one of his eyes, and he was Saladin uncle and he conquered Egypt

. However I'll search for you some info about his four camping in Egypt. but it will take a little time though

**St Naffatun** · June 18, 2008, 04:17 PM

Thanks nnnm, I have a feeling there must be sources because they were literate people, even his nephew Saladin had a secretary.

I suspect the sources have not been translated into English or the translations are hard to find. None of my three languages are Arabic unfortunately and it looks severely hard to learn for a european.

**nnnm** · June 21, 2008, 04:46 AM

that's nice work Tunch Khan, but really I think Ameen Malouf fit more for Hashashims rather than Saladin. then what kind of siege equipment the crusaders need to attack Balbis !!! it had very very mall wall even made of mud and the Nile is far away from Balbis !!!!!! it's about 30 Km far from Cairo, Hwo the Nile supposed to reach them even??? did you see were Bilbis in the map?

**Tunch Khan** · June 21, 2008, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by nnnm

that's nice work Tunch Khan, but really I think Ameen Malouf fit more for Hashashims rather than Saladin. then what kind of siege equipment the crusaders need to attack Balbis !!! it had very very mall wall even made of mud and the Nile is far away from Balbis !!!!!! it's about 30 Km far from Cairo, Hwo the Nile supposed to reach them even??? did you see were Bilbis in the map?

The River Nile Delta must have moved significantly then.

Just kidding. Perhaps you checked another small town with a similar name, because Bilbais is a city that is flanked by the Nile on both sides, SouthEast and NorthWest.

About the walls comment, I must disagree with you here, as a small insignificant wall made of mud would by no chance keep Shirkuh besieged in Bilbais for months (1164).

E. Naville in his Essay on the Land of Goshen, being the fifth Memoir of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1887

Thence to the land of Goshen is eight parasangs; here is Bilbais(192). There are about 300 Jews in the city, which is a large one. Thence it is half a day's journey to Ain-al-Shams or Ramses, which is in ruins. Traces are there to be seen of the buildings which our forefathers raised, namely, towers built of bricks.

The Arab Conquest of Egypt and the Last Thirty Years of the Roman Dominion by Alfred J. Butler
The English Historical Review, Vol. 18, No. 71 (Jul., 1903), pp. 546-548

Still the town of Bilbais was strong enough to detain `Amr for a full month, during which frequent encounters took place, and its capture caused some loss to the invaders. On the other hand, the Romans are said to have lost 1,000 in killed and 3,000 prisoners.

The Roman forces first met the Arabs at Faramâ, and fighting continued about two months. After that little resistance till Bilbais was reached, where there was constant fighting for a month: then came an easy march to Umm Dûnain or Al Maks, where the Arabs were delayed
fighting about two months.

From Wikipedia,
Bilbeis (Coptic Phelbs; Arabic بلبيس) is an ancient fortress city on the eastern edge of the southern Nile delta in Egypt.

The city played a role in the machinations for control of the Fatimid vizierate: first in 1164, when Shirkuh was besieged in the city by the combined forces of Shiwar and Amalric I of Jerusalem for three months; then again in 1168 when the city was assaulted again by Amalric's army, who took the city after three days on November 4 and indiscriminately killed the inhabitants. This atrocity angered the Coptic Egyptians, who had seen the Crusaders as deliverers but had suffered as much as the Muslim inhabitants of Bilbeis. The Copts ended their support of the Crusaders and united with their non-Christian neighbors against the foreigners. (See Crusader invasion of Egypt.)

In 1798 its fortifications were rebuilt at the order of Napoleon.

**Tunch Khan** · June 22, 2008, 04:03 PM

As if it was a cursed fate, despite Nureddin's resolve in not getting involved in Egypt ever, the race for Egypt would commence the very next year.

Before leaving for Palestine, King Amaury had left a Frenkish garrison behind in Cairo that would enforce the duties of the alliance, control the gates of the city and safeguard the Frenkish tax collectors who are in charge of the tribute Egypt pays to Jerusalem. The existence of this foreign occupation force together with the increased taxes to cover the expensive tribute created a local animosity against the Frenks.

Even around the Caliph's circle, Egyptians began to whisper that an alliance with Nureddin himself would be less painful. Messages between Cairo and Aleppo were being exchanged despite Shaver. Nureddin on the other hand, who's not in a hurry to intervene to Egypt was contend to observe the moves of the King in Jerusalem.

The Frenks settled in the capital of Egypt, unable to understand the emerging wave of hostility among locals, were immersed in fear. From the gates of Cario, they sent a letter to their King Amaury for reinforcements. The King hesitated first. His mind was telling him to pull the garrison in Cairo back and be contend with a neutral, non-belligerent Egypt in his southern borders. But his personality, and the Frenkish knights around his circle, who have arrived to the East to "smash some Muslim heads", encouraged him to do the opposite.

In the Christian year of 1168, the armies of the Kingdom of Jerusalem invaded Egypt for the fourth time.

This new campaign was marred by a horrible and unnecessary massacre at the very beginning. The Frenks invaded Bilbais in October and without any reason, they have slaughtered the entire population including the women and children. No one escaped the massacre on that dark day in Bilbais and even the Coptic Christian population of the city joined the fate of their Muslim neighbors.

As Ibn al-Esir writes in his history, "Had the Crusaders avoided that massacre, they would have easily conquered Egypt because the leaders of Cairo were ready to hand the city over without a fight. But when they heard of the news from Bilbais, they decided to resist to the bitter end."

Indeed, when the invaders approached Cairo, Shaver ordered the older section of city to be burned to ground. Twenty thousand jugs full of naphtha were poured on top of roofs, stores, homes, palaces and the mosques. The population has been relocated to the new city which was founded on the X.Century by Fatimids around the al-Azhar Medresah and mostly consisted of the palace, administrative buildings and the barracks. The fire of Cairo had lasted for fourty four days.

Meanwhile the Vizier kept on corresponding with Amaury trying in vain to convince him to stop this crazy campaign. He was hoping to resolve this conflict before an intervention from Shirkuh. But in Cairo, Shaver's supporters were loosing the power. Especially Caliph al-Aziz had seen the gravity of the situation and by taking the reigns in his hands, had sent a letter to the Turks in Aleppo and urged them to come to their help in Egypt. In order to strike emotions in Zengi's devout son, he had included some pieces of hair along with his letter adding: "These are the hairs of my wife. They are begging you, Nureddin, to come to our aid and to save us from the brutality of the Frenks."

"When the help call of al-Aziz arrived, Nureddin summoned me and explained the grave situation. He then told me: 'Go and see your uncle Shirkuh in Homs and pressure him to come here immediately, because we don't have the time on our side.' I left Aleppo and about a mile outside the city I ran into my uncle who was already coming for this very reason. Nureddin ordered him to prepare for Egypt."
Saladin.

The Kurdish commander then asks Saladin to accompany him, but Saladin rejects.

"I answered him I have still not forgotten the pains in Alexandria. My uncle then told his master Nureddin, 'this kid Joseph must come with me to Egypt.' Nureddin repeated his orders to me. As much as I attempted to explain my situation, he did not listen. He ordered his men to hand me as much as gold as I need and as such I was forced to leave like a person on his way to death."

This time, there wouldn't be a conflict between Amaury and Shirkuh. Impressed by the Egyptian's resolution to destroy their own cities instead of handing them to Frenks, and stressed by Shirkuh's approach from behind, the Frenkish King returned to Jerusalem on January 2nd of 1169. Six days after Shirkuh arrived to Cairo and is greeted both by the public and the Fatimid rulers as a liberator. Even Shaver himself appeared joyous and congratulated Shirkuh. But nobody was fooled this time. The Vizier was considered a friend of the infidel Frenks. On January 18th, Shaver was ambushed, thrown into a tent and with the approval of the Caliph, he was executed by Saladin himself.

The same day, Shirkuh was proclaimed the new Grand Vizier of Egypt. He dressed up in silk and when he arrived at the residence of the former Vizier, he couldn't even find a pillow to sit on. With the news of Shaver's death, everything in his apartment had been plundered.

For Shirkuh to become the Lord of Egypt, it took him to organize three campaigns. But his powerful days would not last too long. Two months following his victory, on March 23rd, he falls sick after eating and drinking excessively in a feast. He felt sufficated and died shortly after.

A legend was over but a new legend, one with a legacy that would last longer, was about to be born.

Ibn al-Esir would recount that birth in his chronicle, "When Shirkuh died, the council of al-Aziz advised him to install Saladin in his place, because he was still very young and among other emirs in the Turkish army, he appeared as the least experienced and the weakest."

**The Noble Lord** · June 23, 2008, 04:41 AM

Hi,

One of the Arab contemporary writers at the time, Abdul Rahman al Hadad wrote an interesting chapter about the Asad ad Din or the Shirkuh.
Shirkuh fought in the Battle of Inab in 1149 and he personally killed one of the Crusader leaders in the Outremer, the famous Raymond of Antioch. For that reason he was feared and admired by the Crusaders and envied by the Arab and Turkish amirs and leaders. As it was the practice of the time, some of his enemies quickly conspired to kill Asad ad Din.

The chief conspirator was Amalric the I who was the king of Jerusalem. Because of his dream of conquering Egypt and establishing Christian rule there. That way he would be recognised by the Pope and the European nobilty to be supreme Christian ruler in the Outremer. So after he was defeated at the Battle of Babein in 1167 and he failed to take over Egypt, he tried another way. He employed a poverful and violent sect of assassins to assasinate Asad ad Din.

He promised them 100.000 gold pieces if they do the job right. So on February 1169 the assassins came to Cairo and tried to kill Skirkuh on three different occasions. First time they poisoned his breakfast, but it was the food taster that got killed. Second time they attack Skirkuh while he was praying at the mosque. His bodyguards reacted quickly and the attack was foiled. Realising that there is somebody out to get him, Asad ad Din ordered that guards be doubled and that all foreigners that entered Cairo in the past few days be arrested and brought before him.

It took two days for the last assassin to be found and arrested. He was brought before Shirkuh and asked why he wanted to kill a men who is sword of Islam. The young assassin replayed that he was told that he was killing unbeliever. To that Asad ad Din said "I am a true believer and not bigger believer believer than you, and if you want to fight unbelievers then join me".
As the story goes, the young man become personal aide to the Shirkuh and served him well until his death. After Skirkuh died, there is no record of what happened to the former assassin.

So, I guess the ultimate irony will be that after surviving all those battles and two assasination attempts, and having taken over power in Egypt, the great Asad ad Din Shirkuh bin Shadhi died in his bed less than a month later after.
Reprtedly after having eaten and drunk too much. The great general didnt deserve such 'unglorious' death.

I still have more material for you guys, the research is in progress.

CHEERS

**jermagon** · June 21, 2008, 08:25 AM

this tunch khan guy is awesome,and great job bro +rep

**nnnm** · June 25, 2008, 10:14 AM

about Bilbis, true I check that in google, the city between two small rivers though in the map it's looks very far from the main river. and about the wall see ibn Al-Esir [Al-Kamel] see year 559 [...the fattimeds and the frakish armies sieged the city and Shirkuh stand in front of them attacking and defending for three months yet it's walls very short and there no moats around it. ...] and you can find that in all muslims historian books from that time.

Shirkuh [short Biography by Imam Ath' Thahabi - Seyar Al-A'Alam, book 20 - number 269]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

-Shirkuh first camping on egypt - year 559 Hijry

Shawar came Damascus in the last year asking Nur Ad'Din help against Amir Al-Juyoosh Thegham the the current Fattimed Wazir and promise him he will give him 1/3 of egypt treasury annually. first Nur Ad'Din was doubtful becuase the Franks were between them and Egypt and he fear if Shawar get back to his position he will betray them, but after some time he decided to help Shawar and he didn't find a man in his Kingdom more fit to this metion more than Asad Ad'Din Shirkuh. Nur Ad'Din call Shirkuh from Aleppo and when he arrive he ordered him to march to Egypt with Shawar but Shirkuh first refused the order saying to Nur Ad'Din "I'll not march with 1000 Faris to country that have 10000 Faris and 100 shini [I didn't find what is Shini] with 15000 warriors and they have 40000 slavewarriors for 5 Caliphs" [see I'taath Al-Hunafa (اتعاظ الحنفا بأخبار الفاطميين الخلفا) - year 559]. Nur Ad'Din however knew that will be Shirkuh reaction and he call a sheihk Naja who toled Nur Ad'Din that while he was in a visite to Egypt he been toled by one of the Sufi Sheihks in Egypt that Shirkuh will take Egypt and Nur Ad'Din toled not to toled any body. nw Nur Ad'Din call him and first thing he asked him :"did you toled any body" , and after Nur Ad'Din check that he didn't toled anybody he send to tell Shirkuh. and that how Shirkuh first accept to go Egypt.

Nur Ad'Din order Shirkuh to march to Egypt with Shaear and he himself march near Karack and Shoubak to keep the Franks attention on him. Shirkuh go through the desert and march south in Sina Desert. nobody notice Shirkuh until he was near Bilbis [Bilbais]. while Thergham was training to delay the payment to the Franks he reserved a Letter from his Brother Amir Husam Ad'Din the Mutawali of Bilbis informed him by the arrival of Shirkuh and Shawar and the Turks with them. the next day all people in cairo had heard the news and they starting to move from thier houses and gather food and water as they used to do [*in wars between viziers].
after about tow weeks in Saturday Thergham sends his brother Naser Al-Muslmeen Humam with about 6000 Faris with the covered horses and the valuable armor and the wonderful arms and they were proud of them self and comfort of wining the small battle. they reach near Bilbis in Sunday and Shirkuh shows in Monday and they both rested Monday's night. in the morning Shirkuh was shocked and look to Shawar and say "You, you said their no armies in Egypt, until you brought us with this small numbers" ,but Shawar replay and said "Don't be afraid of thoses, most of them are workers and farmers. What you think the able to do in the battle. those are gathered by drummed and separated by sticks. and about the Amirs their letters are with me and they promise to aid me, but I want you to order the troops to be prepared" . the Fattimeds troops waited the Turks to attack until their armor become hot in the middle of the day. they dismount and built their tents and some of them even through their arms and armor. that what Shawar was Waiting. he tell Shirkuh now is the right time to attack. Naser Ad'Din Humam and Amir Faris Al-Muslmeen charge on the turks troops but Humam injured and when he look behind him, but there was nobody else even Al-Maqrizi says "and the Bravest of them was who mount his horse". They run to Bilbis and Shirkuh go after them and take the city after it’s governor run too. His troops become better after they take the fattimeds arms and armor. the few fattimeds troops been captured were mostly of Amirs, they join hem after he free the Amirs. Amir Humam reach AL-Qahira next day and his brother the Mutawaly of Bilbis Amir Hasan been captured after some of Kinanah tribe guide shirkuh to him.

After two days Shirkuh was in place called At'Taj in front of Al-Qahira [*Cairo]. and his soldiers spread around to find food for them and for their animals. Thergham already call the governors and their troops including the Rayhaniyyah [*Shawars troops] and Jayshiyyah and who left of the Burqiyyah and gather them all in Al-Qahira [*Cairo. Cairo in the Fattimeds time were made off two parts, the old city (generally historian of that period called it Misr) were the people live and their daily life and Al-Qahira which built by Al-Mu'Ezz and in it the Palace, the Azhar Mousqe, Dawaeen (offices of the vizier and others) and the soldiers houses. People were not allow to enter Al-Qahira without official order. Even all visitors and ambassadors who enter Al-Qahira should dismounted and go to the palace between tow lines of guards]. Then Shawar take oath from Shirkuh that they don’t betray him nether deliver him to Thergham or abandon him unless they been defeated. And some of Kinanah tribesmen were attacking Thergham troops here and there because he kills some of their Amirs. Shawar then moved from Kharaqaniyyah to Al-Maqus toward Al-Qahira so Thergham’s Armies march to him and attack him near Al-Maqus. The Amirs who were freed before near Bilbis join Thergham’s side what caused bad defeat to Shawar and Shirkuh. Thergham after his victory near Al-Maqus sends to the Qathy Al-Quthat [High Judge] to bring the orphans money from the treasury what. Shawar and Shirkuh moved to habash [in the south] then they take the old city where the people’s lives because they dislike Thergham after he take the orphans money and he was threaten them if got Shawar that he will burn their houses. And that strengthen Shawar and Shirkuh. Shawar and Shirkuh left the old cit and March toward Al-Luq [to the west of AL-Qahira, to find more about Cairo and its doors, location and its range see “Al-Mawa’Eth wa Al-E’Etebar fi Thekr Al-Khutab wa Al-Aathar” ( المواعظ و الإعتبار في ذكر الخطب و الآثار – تقي الدين ابو العباس أخمد بن علي الحسيني العبيدي المقريزي ) – Abu Al-Abbass al-Maqrizi ] and defeated Thergham’s Cavalry and the fight moved Qantarah and Sa’Aada doos and by the night and The Rayhaniyyah troops join Shawar. And when the Caliph saw Thergham was losing he sends orders to the archer not attack anymore and by the morning Thrghams was outside Al-Qahira running from door to door in 500 Fursan only and he order to call the soldiers to fight but no one get out to him so return inside d stand near Rahbah door near the the Caliph palace. Shawer sends his son Sulayman to control the Qantarah door. After that the fight stop and Thergham try to call the Caliph to show up from his window but there was no answer. Thergham stand their trying until the afternoon and left 30 Fursan and he reseved a letter in it “save yourself and get out of here”. Shawar enters Qahira from Qantarah door after he request that from the Caliph. Thergham knew that shawer interning by the sounds of the Turkish horns that first time they been heard in Cairo and after that Shawar’s Ghulams attacked Thergham and one of them managed to stab him with dagger.

will continue ...