The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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c. 1217-1265
Mongol ruler and founder of the Il-khanid dynasty who, while playing a major role in the destruction of medieval Iranian and Iraqi civilization, fostered learning through his assistance to al-Tusi and others. Grandson of Genghis Khan, Hulagu was sent westward by his brother Mangu, Genghis's successor as Great Khan. Hulagu broke the power of the Assassin sect (1256), executed the last of the Abbasid caliphs and destroyed Baghdad (1258), then, at the hands of the Mamluks in Nazareth, became the first Mongol leader to suffer a serious defeat (1260). Afterward he established the capital of his new dynasty at Maragheh, now in Azerbaijan, where he sponsored al-Tusi's creation of an outstanding observatory.