The Mamlukes ruled an area including Syria, much of the Holyland and Egypt from 1250 to 1517AD. The Mamlukes were slaves purchased as boys, usually from Russia. Eventually the slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids, and established their own dynasty. However they continued to import slaves, and usually choose their leaders from the ranks of the slaves, so their ruler was also a slave! Thus the Mamlukes are known as the "Slave-Kings". This gold Ashrafi of Qansuh II struck in Cairo, Egypt between 1501 and 1516AD. Qansuh was defeated by Ottoman Sultan Selem I in 1516AD, leading to a complete collapse of the Mamluk Dynasty the following year. The gold Ashrafi weighs approximately 4 grams and is approximately 15mm in diameter.
Friday, June 25, 2010
GOLD COIN OF THE SLAVE KINGS OF THE HOLY LAND
The Mamlukes ruled an area including Syria, much of the Holyland and Egypt from 1250 to 1517AD. The Mamlukes were slaves purchased as boys, usually from Russia. Eventually the slaves overthrew their masters, the Ayyubids, and established their own dynasty. However they continued to import slaves, and usually choose their leaders from the ranks of the slaves, so their ruler was also a slave! Thus the Mamlukes are known as the "Slave-Kings". This gold Ashrafi of Qansuh II struck in Cairo, Egypt between 1501 and 1516AD. Qansuh was defeated by Ottoman Sultan Selem I in 1516AD, leading to a complete collapse of the Mamluk Dynasty the following year. The gold Ashrafi weighs approximately 4 grams and is approximately 15mm in diameter.
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