Umayyad Caliphate

Social Intermarriage, interaction Large numbers converted to Islam Women: at first strengthened, less secluded; spiritual equality; early wars of expansion;

Political Use of military to unite empire Captured Mesopotamia N. Africa, Persia [Sassanid], portions of Byzantine Empire (Egypt, Palestine, Syria) Conquests; booty Naval supremacy in Med Sea Internal divisions (3 rd Caliph Uthman (assassinated)  Ali named Caliph (member of prophet’s family) Shiite: supporters of Ali, descendants of Mohammad (Iran) Sunni: Community should elect (majority) Bureaucracy; run by and for Arab Muslims Arabic: language of govt

Intellectual Achievements Use of Arabic Poetry

Religion Conquests not a means of gaining new converts Muslim gov’ts seemed more tolerant than Byz  Christian pop (E,S, and Pal) welcomed Muslims Viewed Judaism, Christianity as earlier less perfect versions of Islam

Individuals Abu Bakr: selected to lead as caliph

Economy Overland and sea trade

Dates/ Decline Capital: Damascus Corruption of ruling family Disgruntled soldiers accepted Abbasid claims to throne Abu Al Abbas (w/ soldiers,and Shiite factions) attacked and captured Damascus

Abbasid Caliphate

Social Slavery existed (could lead to emancipation; courts, farms) not herdeitary Non-Muslim slaves (pow or raids) Peasant class = dependant agri laborers Absorbed cultures of Persia, Rome H. Greece, Mesop. Very cosmopolitan Role of women declined (see reading and previous notes) )

Political More centralized govt; admitted all converts as equal Shifted away from Shiite beliefs Elaborate court w/ bureaucracy (dominated by Persians) Vizier (think of Jafar)served caliph (above all, but not divine) Quaranic Law; Sharia’ah Hadith(traditions) Rise of Mamluks (Turkic slaves from Central Asia)

Individuals Abbas Ibn al Haytham

Religion Mass conversion encouraged However, gradual conversions (“There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God”)

Intellectual Golden Age Translation of Greek, Persian, Indian works into Arabic Wine songs and songs of patron praise (as opposed to classic odes) Translation of Aristotle into Arabic “Arabian Nights”

Technologies Construction: schools, baths, hospitals Mosques Astronomy (Milky Way, light traveling))

Economy Afro-Eurasian trade rebirth  urban growth Strategically located for long distance trade Artisans and handicrafts  labor organizations

Dates / Decline New Capital: Baghdad Decline: Mongol invasions of 1258 Decline: increased Islamic conversions  difficulty ruling a vast empire  many frontier revolts Difficulties in collection of taxes Centralized empire did not serve the needs of such a diverse people