Islam

The Caliph No clear to successor to Muhammad identified Abu Bakr chosen to lead as Caliph Led war against villagers who abandoned Islam after death of Muhammad

Expansion of Islam Highly successful attacks on Byzantine territory Difficulties governing rapidly expanding territory

The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750ce) From Meccan merchant class Capital: Damascus, Syria Associated with Arab military aristocracy

Policy Toward Conquered Peoples Favoritism of Arab military rulers causes discontent Limited social mobility for non-Arab Muslims Head tax on non-Muslims Umayyad luxurious living causes further decline in moral authority

The Abbasid Dynasty (750-1258ce) Allied non-Arab Muslims Seizes control of Persia and Mesopotamia Defeats Umayyad army in 750 Invited Umayyad to banquet, then massacred them

Nature of the Abbasid Dynasty Diverse nature of administration (ie. Not exclusively Arab) Militarily competent, but not bent on imperial expansion Dar al-Islam Growth through military activity of autonomous Islamic forces

Caliph Harun al-Rashid (786-809ce) High point of Abbasid dynasty Baghdad center of commerce Great cultural activity

Abbasid Decline Civil war between sons of Harun al-Rashid Provincial governors assert regional independence Dissenting sects, heretical movements Abbasid caliphs become puppets of Persian nobility Later, Saljuq Turks influence, Sultan real power behind the throne

Changing Status of Women Quran improves status of women Outlawed female infanticide Brides, not husbands, claim dowries Yet male dominance preserved Patrilineal descent Polygamy permitted, Polyandry forbidden Veil adopted from ancient Mesopotamian practice