atabeg

plural atabegs · alternative atabey · alternative atabek · alternative atabak

1. historicalA high medieval Turkish feudal title, originally charged with the caretaking and mentoring of the realm's crown prince.

   The Atabeg was watching for this opportunity.

   2001, Kenneth Allin Luther, transl., The History of the Seljuq Turks from the Jamiʿ al-Tawārīkh, page 160

   3 more examples

   It has been remarked, that this prince established Saad Ebn Zenki, who had been his governor, lieutenant-general of all his dominions, under the title of atâbek; which signifying Father of the Prince, and being given to the tutors of the Seljûkian princes, became afterwards a title of dignity.

   1780, The Modern Part of an Universal History, Vol. III, Ch. IV, §9, p. 128

   The most powerful office which came to be held by Mamluks was that of atabeg... The function of the atabeg was to act as the tutor and guardian of a young Seljukid prince, and where his ward was the holder of an appanage, the atabeg was in effect a regent with plenary powers.

   1986, P.M. Holt, The Age of the Cruades, page 75

   In 1115 Tughtigin took a big step forward by joining a diverse war coalition comprising the atabeg of Aleppo, the powerful Turkish warlord Najm al-Din Ilghazi, and Roger of Salerno, the regent of Antioch.

   2006, Efraim Karsh, Islamic Imperialism: A History, page 75

   Synonyms: regent, governor, emir, amir