The Early Islamic Empires

A Question of Leadership At Mohammed’s death, he had no sons… Abu Bakr elected the new leader, the caliph

Arab Conquest Jihad – struggle in the name of Allah. Defensive war is accepted. Death in Jihad is a ticket to paradise.

The Lineage Falters Series of Caliphs kept extending Islam Murderous politics and infighting prevent unity Mu’awiyah, an Islamic general, took charge and created the first dynasty

The Umayyad Dynasty DAMASCUS Warriors were the leaders and the heroes of the Umayyad Dynasty

Bumping against Europe Stopped in Asia by Byzantines in 717 El Andalusia – –Muslim conquest of Spain by Moors, 725 AD Battle of Tours – 732 AD –Charles Martel

A Split in Islam A Split in Islam Non-Arab Muslims resent Umayyads Hussein, the second son of Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammed, leads revolt. –Shiites then follow the line of Ali, Sunnis follow an elected Caliph The Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq

The Abbasid Dynasty Abu al-Abbas, related to Mohammed’s uncle, overthrew the Umayyad dynasty Lasted from AD Abu al-Abbas Mosque, Alexandria

The Abbasid Dynasty BAGHDAD

Reforms of the Abbasids Judges and Merchants lead the society Any Muslim could hold civil or military office Muslim Spice Merchant

The Golden Age of the Abbasids Harun al-Rashid –Greatest of the Caliphs –Sponsored artists, writers and scholars Translated the Ancient Greeks

Abbasid Politics The Vizier (the Prime Minister) advised the Caliph Caliph sat behind a screen during govn’t meetings to advise Vizier

The Empire Falls Apart Fallen Umayyads established a caliphate in Spain in 750 AD The Egyptians broke away under the Fatamid Dynasty in 973 The Umayyad Mosque in Cordoba, Spain

The Seljuk Turkish Dynasty Nomads converted by the Abbasids Served as soldiers Took over from the weak Abbasids –New ruler = Sultan

The Seljuk State Abbasid caliph still in charge of the religion, but the Seljuks control the military and politics Looking to expand, the Byzantines are in their way…

The Crusades Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantines at Manzikert in 1071 Alexius I of Constantinople asks for Rome’s aid Urban II sends Christian troops –The 1 st Crusade

Saladin and the Crusader Impact Christians take Jerusalem in 1 st Saladin, Sultan of Egypt, unites Islam to drive Christians away Breeds centuries of mistrust in the two faiths

End of the Early Islamic Empires You guessed it… the Mongols!!! Hulegu, brother of Kublai, attacks Seljuks in 1258 Baghdad burned Mamluks in Egypt stop his advance Islam in disarray

Life in these Societies Muslim world relatively urbanized The Bazaar Social Classes –Under Allah –Practical Politics Slavery – only non-Muslims

The Role of Women Male Dominated Society –Male escorts required –Men can marry up to 4 women! Impact of Shari’ah

Science and the Arts The House of Wisdom –Translated Greek philosophers Arabic Numerals Algebra The Astrolabe

Science and History Ibn Sina- wrote of the contagious nature of disease Ibn Khaldum – “Muqaddimah” -argued for a cyclical view of history

Literature 1,001 Arabian Nights –King Schariar of Samarkand wife lied to him Kills 1 woman a night for 3,000 nights to punish –Sheherazade volunteers –asks to tell him story before her death. –He wants more… keeps her alive for 1001 nights –Makes her his queen. Repents due to lessons learned in stories

Architecture Great Mosque of Samarra –Minaret where Muezzin calls is 90 feet tall Finest Islamic palace the Alhambra in Granada, Spain