ironman422
Registered User
(1/1/04 8:42)
Reply | Edit Re: CRUSADERS
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I believe the aim of the Crusades was not unjustified, although many of the acts committed by the Crusaders were.
Christian Europe had been at the receiving end of an Arab and Turkish onslaught for over 400 years when the First Crusade was launched. Moors from Africa invaded and conquered Spain, and were only stopped at Tours in NW France by Charles Martel in 732.
Arabs were running amok in the Mediterranean, conquering Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, parts of southern Italy, sacking Rome and St. Peter's basilica in 846 A.D. forcing the Pope to flee.
Throughout the 7th-9th centuries, there were multiple attacks on Constantinople by Arab fleets.
The Byzantines were being invaded by Seljuk Turk armies in the 10th and 11th centuries.
In the 10th century Moors from Andalusia set up pirate dens along the coast of southern France, disrupting commerce, raiding towns such as Marseilles, taking slaves, etc.
To suggest that the Crusades were unjustified wars of conquest is short-sighted.
Registered User
(1/1/04 8:42)
Reply | Edit Re: CRUSADERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I believe the aim of the Crusades was not unjustified, although many of the acts committed by the Crusaders were.
Christian Europe had been at the receiving end of an Arab and Turkish onslaught for over 400 years when the First Crusade was launched. Moors from Africa invaded and conquered Spain, and were only stopped at Tours in NW France by Charles Martel in 732.
Arabs were running amok in the Mediterranean, conquering Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, parts of southern Italy, sacking Rome and St. Peter's basilica in 846 A.D. forcing the Pope to flee.
Throughout the 7th-9th centuries, there were multiple attacks on Constantinople by Arab fleets.
The Byzantines were being invaded by Seljuk Turk armies in the 10th and 11th centuries.
In the 10th century Moors from Andalusia set up pirate dens along the coast of southern France, disrupting commerce, raiding towns such as Marseilles, taking slaves, etc.
To suggest that the Crusades were unjustified wars of conquest is short-sighted.
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