Cultural Blending: The Safavid Empire
Setting the Stage What is cultural blending? What trait of a society can prevent cultural blending? What are some current examples of cultural blending?
Patterns Cultural interaction = exposure to ideas, food, technology Crossroads, trade routes, ports, & borders = beginning of mixture Beneficial to be open and willing to adapt Cultural blending = new patterns of behavior
Causes Cultural change brought about by: Ex: Ottomans Migration Trade Conquest Religious freedom or conversion Ex: Ottomans Surrounded = motivation to take territory Location on trade route = riches & contact with many Interest in learning = new ideas about art, literature, etc.
Results Blending can lead to changes in all aspects Language – characters from one to another Chinese to Japanese Religion – Different traditions w/in same religion Reformation Government – same government, different interpretations Democracy: Athens v. U.S. Ethnic Mixture – cultures mix together Mestizos or Creoles in the Americas Arts & Architecture – peoples adapt styles of others Chinese artistic elements in European paintings Results
Safavids Fueled by need for territory & alignment to Shi’a Islam Squeezed by Ottomans & Mughals = need for powerful army 1499-1501: Isma’il (12-14) seizes Iran Takes the title of shah & makes Shi’a the state religion Religious tyrant: Kills all who don’t convert Actions lead to modern border between Iraq & Iran Tahmasp (son) expands empire to Caucasus & Turkey Brings Christians into the empire
Golden Age 1587: Shah Abbas takes the throne Issues reforms Limited the army’s power by establishing an army of Persians & Christians = loyal to him Punishes corruption & promotes by skill & loyalty Hires foreigners to government positions Encouraged trade with Christian Europe Built a new capital at Esfahan = modern center for learning
The Arts Shah Abbas focused on the arts Brought Chinese artisans to Esfahan Produce vast amounts of metalwork, paintings, pottery, etc. Collaboration = blend of Chinese & Persian ideas Interactions w/ the West = demand for Persian carpets Becomes a national industry Huge source of wealth Artists sent to Italy to adapt to European demands The Arts
Quick Decline Makes same mistake as Suleyman I w/ his successor Kills or blinded ablest sons Safi takes Safavids down the same path, but quicker 1736: Nadir Shah Afshar expands empire to India Cruel = assassinated by own troops 1747: dies = disintegration of the empire