07 Contextual Framework: 1000-1500 CE, Deeper Understanding

07 Contextual Framework: 1000-1500 CE, Deeper Understanding

The Mamluk Empire was a fairly unique society in terms of the civilizations we've studied so far in this class. It was built upon a ruling class of Turkish-born slaves who were brought from their homes and sold to masters as soldiers, and then often manumitted later on. Some of these soldiers were elevated to elite status, based on their masters' social position and their own connections. Therefore, the Mamluk Empire was an oligarchy whose ruling class was constantly replenished by an influx of turkish slaves. Interestingly, the children of these elite slaves were much less likely to have power, as they were given Arabic names and were not first generation slaves.

Berkey