Maraş in the Middle Ages before the Invasion of the Crusaders

Abstract

During the Middle Ages Maraş was located in the crossroads between Anatolia and the Middle East and it was one of the important cities in the region. Because of its strategic and geopolitic importance, Maraş became a battle ground for contesting political groups. Especially, between 8th and 10th centuries, fightings to control the province were fierce. Because of political ambitions to control Maraş, numerous fights ruined the city several times. Therefore the population of the city dramatically decreased. Wars and new settlements changed the demographic structure of Maraş. During the Middle Ages, the Muslims build citadels making the city military base for defense and offense purposes. Those military activities helped the city for the civic developments.