ABSTRACT
Later Iranian pro-Saljnjqid sources make efforts to represent the Saljnjqs as nobility whose roots can be traced back to an ancient Iranian father or a mythological Arabian ancestor. While some would argue that the Saljnjqs are the offspring of Afrasiyab (Afrasiab), others claim that LnjqmƗn, a pre-Islamic wise man mentioned in the QurގƗn, was Saljnjq’s ancestor. Saljnjq the son of DuqƗq is said to have served as an army commander (snj-bƗshi) of the Turkic king in the steppes. He is described as an audacious man, blessed with renown, who had four sons, all called by biblical names: Bayghnj Mnjsa (Sparrowhawk Moses), MikhƗގƯl (Michael), ArslƗn IsrƗގƯl (Lion Israel) and Ynjnis (Jonas). These sons are described as charismatic leaders. Each day their followers and companions were on the ascendant and increased.148
