mckaywest11e

Quiz for Primary Source 9.4: An Arab View of the Crusades

Question

1. Which of these was one of the explanations Ibn Al-Athir offered for the Frank’s decision to send an invasion force to the Middle East?

They were inspired by their faith.

They were inspired by racial hatred.

They were invited to do so by the Fatimids of Egypt.

They were invited to do so by the Christian inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Correct. The answer is c. Ibn Al-Athir offered two explanations—one linked to the Fatimids’ fear of Turkish expansion and the other to the greed of Roger the Frank.

Incorrect. The answer is c. Ibn Al-Athir offered two explanations—one linked to the Fatimids’ fear of Turkish expansion and the other to the greed of Roger the Frank.

Question

2. How did Ibn Al-Athir explain the success of the First Crusade?

He believed it was the result of the superiority of the Franks’ moral character.

He believed it was the result of discord between Muslim princes.

He believed it was the result of the Franks’ overwhelming military superiority.

He believed it was the result of cowardice on the part of Muslim forces.

Correct. The answer is b. Ibn Al-Athir believed that if the Muslims had presented the Franks with a united defense, the invaders would have been repelled.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Ibn Al-Athir believed that if the Muslims had presented the Franks with a united defense, the invaders would have been repelled.

Question

3. What does the account of Ibn Al-Athir suggest about Yaghi Siyan’s attitude towards his Christian subjects?

That he despised them for what he saw as their false religion

That he did not fully trust them but nonetheless saw them as legitimate members of the Antioch community

That he made no distinction between Muslim and Christian subjects

That he believed they were his best and most loyal subjects

Correct. The answer is b. As Ibn Al-Athir tells it, Yaghi Siyan worried that Antioch’s Christians would side with the Franks, but he still acknowledged them as rightful residents of Antioch.

Incorrect. The answer is b. As Ibn Al-Athir tells it, Yaghi Siyan worried that Antioch’s Christians would side with the Franks, but he still acknowledged them as rightful residents of Antioch.