1135 AD Kingdom of Jerusalem to 1400 BC

[Otto Kretschmer]

A crusader state in the Bronze Age!

How does it influence the world?

Just a few thoughts:
1. Technological superiority is there but it's not overwhelming. The crusaders do have iron weapons, cavalry and advanced fortifications but no gunpowder. And crucially they have...

... paper.

This is very important. 

2. The Kingdom of Jerusalem is a cultural mix. There is a tiny Catholic ruling elite as well as native Eastern Christians as well as Muslims, Jews and some Samaritans.

3. Catholicism most likely will not survive for long post ISOT. The Catholic knightly elite will likely convert to whatever branch of Christianity is locally practiced within 2-3 generations.

4. At the time the Levant was a part of the Egypt's New Kingdom. I guess Egypt is going to be quite unhappy with losing a significant portion of it's territiry - but would it be able to do anything about it?

The Near East around 1400 BC:



The Near East around 1135 AD, the Kingdom of Jerusalem is in white:

[stevep]

   A lot would depend on the cultures in both the kingdom and also the new situation they find themselves in.  For instance what was the actual demographic make up of the general population.  I would suspect mainly Muslim but could be wrong and as the wiki article on it says the Muslims are split between Sunni and Shia and the Christians between Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox.  Coupled with external threats, especially from a vengeful Egypt concerned about those rebels you could see a temporary truce between the assorted faction but how would it last and who wins out in the end, given the fact all are monotheistic faiths.  Assuming of course that they aren't totally overrun over a period of time.

  One other thing that will doom the dominance of the Frankish crusader elite sooner or later is that they are cut off from their homelands, which provided a stream of new supporters through the years.  This will not only be a loss of material strength but also a morale blow as once they realise what has happened - or at least enough to know that 'home' is no longer there - will mean a deep sense of isolation from their entire world which is likely to cause a level of depression.  Of course it also means Rome and especially the Papacy is no longer there, although it could be some years before that's confirmed so do they say declare the Catholic patriarchate of Jerusalem as the new pope?

  They will have paper, or at least knowledge of how to make it but without printing is that a great advantage?  Egypt has massive supplies of papyrus and also parchment is also available so I don't think paper in itself will be a big factor.  Something more valuable might be if their already experienced and possibly adapted 'Arabic' numbers which would be much more flexible than the old Roman numerals. 

  Also it depends on the leader at the time of the ISOT.  Is he strong enough he can unite the kingdom in this new situation, intelligent enough to quickly adapt to it and skilled enough to seek allies and trade among neighbouring states.  Very likely there will be war with Egypt but if they can get alliances, or at least peaceful relations with other neighbours, especially the Mittani or Hatti [Hittites] that would secure their northern border.  Also it depends on when the crusader kingdom comes from as if your got say Baldwin IV on the throne after he catches leprosy or a period when the kingdom was in crisis that would be a serious problem.

  Despite the numbers the big down-time states could throw against them they do have some significant advantages, powerful fortifications, iron weapons rather than bronze and probably markedly better cavalry albeit likely to be in small numbers.  They might have problems dealing with raiders from tribes coming out of the eastern lands as well as those could be less desert and more populated. 

  Just made me think.  This is before camels became used at least in Africa and not sure if there were any domesticated in the ME at this time but if the kingdom has access to some unites they might be useful against cavalry not used to them.

[raharris1973]

In all initial tactical encounters and attempted sieges, the Crusaders will kick ancient butt. The ancients will be trying to fight from chariots. Cavalry fights will be ridiculously unbalanced.