Chapter 6

4 developments define postclassical centuries Islamic civilization spread politically and culturally into Asia, Europe and Africa Civilizations expanded into new world regions The great world religions gained acceptance from peoples who once following local belief structures The creation of a world network linking many of the individual civilizations

World Network develops This is the most important characteristic of the Post-Classical World Trade and Military Disease We are not including America, Polynesia and Australia YET

The decline of Classical Era The rise of ISLAM Post-Classical Era The decline of Classical Era

Islam The rise of Islam is one of the things that marks the end of the Classical and Beginning of the Post-Classical Era The decline of the Islamic empire marks the end of the Post-Classical Era New empires develop = Asia, Africa and Europe

Pre-Islam Arabian Peninsula—not a great place to live Desert Oasis communities Bedouin societies develop Hunter/Gatherer type society Merchants because they were traveling from civilization to civilization Towns were set up for trade

Life as a Bedouin Kinship = Clan Tribe = Many clans come together during war Loyalty = survival Shaykhs = Leaders Rivalry over water and land between the clans Made this type of society very weak

Women in Bedouin society Played a key role in the clan’s economy Matrilineal: family line is followed through the women’s family Ne veils Both men and women were allowed to have multiple spouses

Important cities Mecca Medina

Mecca Established by the Umayyad Clan Ka’ba: Bedouin religious shrine Polytheistic/Animism Started with nothing to do with Islam Allah was the creator-god. We don’t know if he was really seen as a supreme deity

Medina Agricultural and commercial area Fighting occurred often between the groups in the area Arab vs. Jewish

Muhammad Born c. 570 CE He belonged to the Banu Hasin Clan Quraysh Tribe Merchant in Mecca Married Khadijah (a widow) Wanted to bring unity to the tribes He saw how destructive the fighting was Monotheism was seen as a way to unite people

The Prophet 610 CE he went to meditate and was visited by Gabriel As he grew in influence so did the potential for him to be a threat to the status quo Islam offers something new to the Arabian People

What does Islam offer Umma: “community of the faithful” 5 pillars Replaces old hate with new unity and a moral system Equality under Allah (all believers) Accepts components of both Christianity and Judaism

After the death a Muhammad Muhammad dies in 632 CE No successor or rules on who would succeed him He dies young The Unity he created starts to falters with his death Power Grab Umayyad took control Start to spread Islam

Line of succession Calph Abu Bakr (Ummayad Clan) Umar assassinated Uthman (Umayyad) Murdered Then the issues really start

Uthman Killed Medina Muslims chose Ali Umayyad refuse to recognize him War Ali appears weak and is assassinate Ma’awiya of the Umayyad tribe “Chosen” Becomes the First Calphate Shi’i: successor should Be from the Prophet’s Family. follow Ali Sunni: people should Choose the successor follow Umayyad

Umayyad Empire Conversion not a priority Grew Larger 732 Battle of Tours Islam's advancement into Europe stopped by the Franks Were able to gain power in Spain and Portugal Damascus (Syria) became the capitol Muslim Arab Elite Strong Military and bureaucracy Ended when the Abbasid Clan defeated the Umayyad

Abbasid Caliphate Used the Shi’ite to win but turned against them and supported the Sunni More bureaucracy to keep big empire together Baghdad capitol Urban prosperity grew

Dhimmis People of the book Malawi: Converts Jews, Christians, Zoroastrianism, Hindus Keep their religion Had to pay higher taxes Malawi: Converts

Changes for women with the Quran No adultery for either spouse One husband 4 wives if they could be cared for No infanticide Both sexes equal before Allah