CALIPHS OF BAGDAD. 33 



who had invaded his Persian dominions and obtained 

 several advantages over his generals. He expired 

 at his Palace of Felicity after a reign of tliirty-five 

 years, being the first Mohanunedan prince that bore 

 the title of sultan. His successors were involved 

 in fraternal disputes and military rebellions. They 

 lost the whole of their possessions in Persia, and 

 tlicir history for above a century, till their final ex- 

 tinction by the Tartars, presents only a mournful 

 detail of petty wars and massacres. 



It was from these warlike hordes, whose prowess 

 was soon felt from China and India to the barren 

 wilds of Northern Europe, that the tottering throne 

 of the Abbassides received its final overthrow. 

 After the death of Mahmoud, the Seljuks, under 

 Togrul Beg, the first prince of his dynasty (1038), 

 subdued Jorjan, Tabaristan, Azerbijan, Korasm, 

 Irak, and Khorasan. The increasing insolence of 

 the Turkish guards had compelled Alkayem to im- 

 plore the assistance of this Tartar chief, who had 

 now assumed the title and state of a sovereign. He 

 was received by the caliph at Bagdad with the 

 greatest respect. At this interview Alkayem ap- 

 peared with all the mummery of state that belonged 

 to his high office. He was seated on a throne, which 

 was concealed by a dark veil. The celebrated boneda, 

 or black mantle of the Abbassides, was thrown over 

 his shoulders, and in his right hand he held the staff 

 Df Mohammed. Togrul approached the successor 

 ^f the Prophet on foot, accompanied by his nobles, 

 vho, laying aside their arms, had joined in the pro- 

 cession. He kissed the ground, stood for a short 

 time in a respectful posture, and was then led to the 

 caliph, near whom he was placed on another throne. 

 His commission was then read, appointing him King 

 of Bagdad, Viceroy of the Caliph, and Lord of all the 

 Mohammedans. He was invested with seven dresses 

 (the usual symbol of official preferment), and had 

 ficven slaves bestowed on him, — a ceremony imply- 



