Defining the Frontier: the Battle of Ain Jalut and Fifty Years of Mamluk-Mongol Clashes
Research Mentor(s)
Charles Anderson
Description
The Battle of Ain Jalut (1260) is repeatedly cited as one of the "Fifteen Great Battles of History," but was it in fact decisive? Or was it only the opening salvo in a fifty-year struggle between the Mongols and the Mamluks of Egypt. Neither Mamluk claims that they would restore greatness to a recaptured Baghdad nor Mongol threats that they would carry their banner "to the ends of the earth" were realized. In fact, the il-Khans had reached the limits of their logistical supply-line, and the Mamluks controlled no more than the same zone of influence that had been seen in times of the pharaohs and Ptolomies. After reaching Palestine and the Mediterranean, the forces of the il-Khans were forced to fight defensive actions ranging from the Khyber Pass, adjacent to Anatolia, and against the Golden Horde. The "frontier" came to Damascus--and there it remained.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
SMATE Library (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
History
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Defining the Frontier: the Battle of Ain Jalut and Fifty Years of Mamluk-Mongol Clashes
SMATE Library (Bellingham, Wash.)
The Battle of Ain Jalut (1260) is repeatedly cited as one of the "Fifteen Great Battles of History," but was it in fact decisive? Or was it only the opening salvo in a fifty-year struggle between the Mongols and the Mamluks of Egypt. Neither Mamluk claims that they would restore greatness to a recaptured Baghdad nor Mongol threats that they would carry their banner "to the ends of the earth" were realized. In fact, the il-Khans had reached the limits of their logistical supply-line, and the Mamluks controlled no more than the same zone of influence that had been seen in times of the pharaohs and Ptolomies. After reaching Palestine and the Mediterranean, the forces of the il-Khans were forced to fight defensive actions ranging from the Khyber Pass, adjacent to Anatolia, and against the Golden Horde. The "frontier" came to Damascus--and there it remained.