Transcript WHAP 9.3
Rise and Fall of the Caliphate Chapter 9 WHAP 2012 Umayyad Caliphate • Capital was in Damascus The Islamic Conquests • The Arabs began expansion outside of Arabia under the leadership of the second caliph Umar • Umar's life The Islamic Conquests • Within 15 years Muslim control extended to Syria (636) • Egypt (639-642) • Sasanid Iran (651) Umayyad Spain • Blended Roman, Germanic, Jewish, Arab and Berber traditions. • Al-Andalus rulers take title of caliph in 929 when the Fatimids in Tunisia did. • Major cities Cordoba, Seville, Toledo Umayyad Spain • Under Islamic leadership, Jewish people in Spain contributed to cultural growth. • Many great scientific thinkers and philosophical writers Decline of Umayyad • 747 major Shi’ite revolt in northeastern Iran • Caused by growing unrest among nonArab Muslims • Demanded more access to political power. • Many felt the Syrian Arabs has gained too much power • Overthrow of Umyyads led by Iranian Shi’ites. • Leaders were followers of Abbas, one of Muhammad’s uncles. The Abbasid Caliphate • 750 – 1258 • Capital Baghdad • Considered the “golden age” of classic Islamic culture 1. Peace 2. Stability 3. Economic unity The Abbasid Caliphate • Most famous caliph Haroun al-Rashid (776-809) • Created and refined the “cosmopolitan culture” of Baghdad Abbasid Achievements • Adopted ceremonies and customs of Sasanid shahs • Capital moved to Baghdad • Translation of Aristotle into Arabic • Paper introduced from China • Poets expanded their writings beyond Islam Aristotle • Astrolabe Invented by Arabs to tell time, latitude and horoscope based on star positions. • Will become the primary navigational tool of sailors around the world by 1492. • Exploration site Abbas Ibn Firnas • First man to fly in a glider • A polymath • Studied Astronomy, engineering, philosophy, history • Crater on the moon named after him • Firnas Wiki Ulama • “People with religious knowledge” • Established in Iran • religious scholars create a standardized study of Islam. • Islamic schools spread across empire • Imam - is teacher of Islam Abbasid Decline • 850 - 1050 • Size of empire hard to hold together. • Caravan speed only 20 miles per day. • News of revolts on the frontier took 2 weeks to reach Baghdad. Abbasid Decline 1. Taxes hard to collect 2. Local strongmen begin to seize power and profits creating large provincial caliphates. Provincial caliphates • Samanids 819 - 999 • Iranian kin group that promoted nonArab literature and Persian poetry. • Fatimids 908 1171 • Egyptian caliphate established city of Cairo. • Economy based on gold from Africa. Mamluks • Crisis in 9th century caused Turkic slaves to be purchased by caliphs to use as a standing army. • Mamluk means “owned” Conflict Between Islamic and Byzantine Empires • Revue • Byzantine Empire created after fall of Rome in 400 • Islam quickly spread around the southern Mediterranean region during the 7th century. Islamic Civilization • Abbasids trained ulamas (Islamic scholars). • Ulamas became Imams (Islamic teachers) • Imams created the Hadith (codes of conduct based on accounts of Muhammad’s life) to standardize all Muslim practices. • Shar’ia is law of Islam. • Codes of conduct based on Arab customs and the Hadith. Islamic Civilization • Shar’ia is the law of Islam. • It contains “rules for the the Umma” - the great vision of the Sha’ria. • The common moral values, outlined to minimize ethnic and political divisions. • Unification of Muslims - main motivation was to fight against Christian Crusaders from Byzantine empire Sufism • Mystical cult • Creates idea of “brotherhood of Islam” • Quest for a direct union with God through rituals and training. • Sufism Muslim Women • Permitted to initiate divorce and also receive a cash payment if finalized • Permitted to practice birth control • Permitted to own property and testify in court • Allowed inheritance (1/2 of son’s) • Adopted Byzantine and Sassanid custom of veiling. • Still a misogynistic (male dominated) society Seljuk Empire • Established 1100 by Mamluk revolt • Ruled Middle East during the first Crusade 1095 • Leaders didn’t get involved in internal religious fighting • Islam continues to be strong influence • Seljyuks Seljuk Empire • Alliance of Turkish tribes using horse cavalry to defeat Abbasids • Captured Baghdad in 1055 • Biggest success was defending the region against attacks by the Byzantine Empire. • Battle of Manzikert Seljuk victory over Crusaders. • Battle of Manzikert • Biggest motivation for unification of Muslims became to fight off the Crusaders! Seljuk Decline • Irrigation and canal systems fell into disrepair during their rule. • Cities shrank and lost population • Constant attacks by Crusaders in West drained resources • Mongols threaten from Northeast