40 CALIPHS OP BAGDAD. 



ing the first Mohammedan prince that bore the title 

 of sultan. His successors were involved in frater- 

 nal disputes and military rebellions. They lost 

 the whole of their possessions in Persia, and their 

 history for above a century., till their final extinc- 

 tion by the Tartars, presents only a mournful de- 

 tail 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. Af- 

 ter the death of Mahmoud, the Seljuks, under To- 

 grul Beg, the first prince of his dynasty (1038), sub- 

 dued Jorjan, Tabaristan, Azerbijan, Korasm, Irak, 

 and Khorasan. The increasing insolence of the Turk- 

 ish guards had compelled Alkayem to implore 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 appeared 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 man- 

 tle of the Abbassides, was thrown over his shoulders, 

 and in his right hand he held the staff of Moham- 

 med. Togrul approached the successor of the Pro- 

 phet on foot, accompanied by his nobles, who, lay- 

 ing aside their arms, had joined in the procession. 

 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 



