The Sassanid Empire and the Rise of Islam Ch. 9 The Sassanid Empire and the Rise of Islam

The Sassanid Empire Politics and Society Sassanid kingdom established in 224 and controlled Iran and Mesopotamia Alternated between warring and peaceful trading with Byzantium Iranian hinterlands were controlled by autocracy that did not threaten the Sassanid Empire

The Sassanid Empire Religion and Empire Sasanids were Zoroastrian and Byzantium was Christian and they were both intolerant of other religions People’s religious affiliation resonated with their identity

The Origins of Islam The Arabian peninsula before Muhammad Most Arabs were settled people. Nomads were rare. The nomads were mostly polytheistic Mecca was a caravan city and a cult center that attracted nomads to worship idols

The Origins of Islam Muhammad in Mecca Muhammad was born and orphaned in Mecca and got involved in the caravan trade In 610, Muhammad began receiving revelations that were believed to be the words of God (Allah) According to Muhammad’s revelations, either submit to Allah and go to paradise or don’t and go to hell Muhammad’s revelations were considered to be the final revelations, superceding ones like Noah, Moses, and Jesus

Origins of Islam Formation of the umma Muhammad and his followers flee Mecca to Medina in 622 and form a community of believers, the umma Near the end of Muhammad’s life, the Islamic state expands into Arabia and other lands nearby Muhammad’s father-in-law (Abu Bakr) assumed leadership of the umma after Muhammad’s death Abu Bakr established Muslim authority over Arabs and oversaw the compilation of the Quran After assassination of Uthman, the third caliph, there was civil war over who the successor should be These disagreement lead to the fragmentation of Islam (Shi’ites, Sunnis, and Kharijite)

The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate The Islamic Conquests (634 – 711) Islamic conquest starts in the 7th century Motivations for conquest include lust for booty (lol), religion, and the weakness of their neighbors. Arab forces garrisoned up in towns and forced conquered to pay taxes, but not to convert

The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate The Ummayad and Early Abbasid Caliphates Ruled over an Arab Empire, not a Muslim one Ruled over the conquered using Byzantine and Sassanid government, only replacing the leaders with their own Literature and learning were emphasized, mostly Greek texts and secular Arab poetry

The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate Political Fragmentation Abbasid power declines due to overexpansion The caliph in Baghdad was overthrown by slaves and eventually fell Islam, Roman, German, and Jewish cultures blended and urbanized in Spain to create a unique culture Even though the Muslim world was politically fragmented, their religious identity was preserved by religious scholars

The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate Assault from Within and Without … Something about the Turks establishing power The crusades put pressure on Islamic lands, but Saladin united the Muslims to turn away the Christians

Islamic Civilization Law and Dogma Islamic Law (Shari’a) evolved in response to the need for a legal system in the Muslim world Shari’a holds that all Muslims are brothers and sisters and share the same moral values

Islamic Civilization Converts and Cities People looking to learn about Islam congregated together and made cities

Islam, Women, and Slaves Muslim Women were veiled and secluded like in Byzantium and the Sasanid Empires Only slave women appeared in public. Women had some rights. Examples? Islam forbade homosexuality, but notable Muslims advocated the practice

Discussion Before reading the chapter, what did you think were the fundamental characteristics of the Islamic religion and society? After reading, what appear to be the fundamental characteristics? What reasons might there be for the expansion of Muslim territory? What were some of the causes of the decline of the Caliphate? What does “The Fraternity of Beggars” indicate about Islamic society and its values?