1. The Sassanid Empire and the Rise of Islam
Ch. 9
The Sassanid Empire and the Rise of Islam

2. The Sassanid Empire Politics and Society
Sassanid kingdom established in 224 and controlled Iran and Mesopotamia
Alternated between warring and peaceful trading with Byzantium
Iranian hinterlands were controlled by autocracy that did not threaten the Sassanid Empire

3. The Sassanid Empire Religion and Empire
Sasanids were Zoroastrian and Byzantium was Christian and they were both intolerant of other religions
People’s religious affiliation resonated with their identity

4. The Origins of Islam The Arabian peninsula before Muhammad
Most Arabs were settled people. Nomads were rare.
The nomads were mostly polytheistic
Mecca was a caravan city and a cult center that attracted nomads to worship idols

5. The Origins of Islam Muhammad in Mecca
Muhammad was born and orphaned in Mecca and got involved in the caravan trade
In 610, Muhammad began receiving revelations that were believed to be the words of God (Allah)
According to Muhammad’s revelations, either submit to Allah and go to paradise or don’t and go to hell
Muhammad’s revelations were considered to be the final revelations, superceding ones like Noah, Moses, and Jesus

6. Origins of Islam Formation of the umma
Muhammad and his followers flee Mecca to Medina in 622 and form a community of believers, the umma
Near the end of Muhammad’s life, the Islamic state expands into Arabia and other lands nearby
Muhammad’s father-in-law (Abu Bakr) assumed leadership of the umma after Muhammad’s death
Abu Bakr established Muslim authority over Arabs and oversaw the compilation of the Quran
After assassination of Uthman, the third caliph, there was civil war over who the successor should be
These disagreement lead to the fragmentation of Islam (Shi’ites, Sunnis, and Kharijite)

7. The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate
The Islamic Conquests (634 – 711)
Islamic conquest starts in the 7th century
Motivations for conquest include lust for booty (lol), religion, and the weakness of their neighbors.
Arab forces garrisoned up in towns and forced conquered to pay taxes, but not to convert

8. The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate
The Ummayad and Early Abbasid Caliphates
Ruled over an Arab Empire, not a Muslim one
Ruled over the conquered using Byzantine and Sassanid government, only replacing the leaders with their own
Literature and learning were emphasized, mostly Greek texts and secular Arab poetry

9. The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate
Political Fragmentation
Abbasid power declines due to overexpansion
The caliph in Baghdad was overthrown by slaves and eventually fell
Islam, Roman, German, and Jewish cultures blended and urbanized in Spain to create a unique culture
Even though the Muslim world was politically fragmented, their religious identity was preserved by religious scholars

10. The Rise and Fall of the Caliphate
Assault from Within and Without …
Something about the Turks establishing power
The crusades put pressure on Islamic lands, but Saladin united the Muslims to turn away the Christians

11. Islamic Civilization Law and Dogma
Islamic Law (Shari’a) evolved in response to the need for a legal system in the Muslim world
Shari’a holds that all Muslims are brothers and sisters and share the same moral values

12. Islamic Civilization Converts and Cities
People looking to learn about Islam congregated together and made cities

13. Islam, Women, and Slaves
Muslim Women were veiled and secluded like in Byzantium and the Sasanid Empires
Only slave women appeared in public.
Women had some rights. Examples?
Islam forbade homosexuality, but notable Muslims advocated the practice

14. Discussion
Before reading the chapter, what did you think were the fundamental characteristics of the Islamic religion and society? After reading, what appear to be the fundamental characteristics?
What reasons might there be for the expansion of Muslim territory?
What were some of the causes of the decline of the Caliphate?
What does “The Fraternity of Beggars” indicate about Islamic society and its values?