1. The Safavid Empire
Brett Benigno

2. Safavid Society and Religion
Ismail
A boy of Kurdish, Iranian, & Greek ancestory
He proclaimed himself “Shah of Iran” in 1502 at the age of 16
Devoted to Shi’ite Islam instead of Sunni like Iran’s neighbors
The conversion was done in order to create a divider between Iran and the neighboring countries

3. Society and religion continued
Their religious differences seperated them from the majority of the islamic world.
Iranian scholors used both persian and Arabian languages
Iran developed differently after the Mongol destruction of Baghadad (thanks Parker)

4. The Hidden Imam Pre set belief, learning, and laws due to Islam
“Shi’ite doctrine says that all temporal rulers, regardless of titles, are temporary stand-ins for the “hidden Imam””
The 12th descendent of Ali
Disappeared as a child during the 9th century
Muhammad's cousin/son in law

5. A Tale of Two Cities: Differences
Isfahan: Iran’s capital
Became capital under Shah Abbas I
Non obtrusive minarets, brightly tiled domes
Giant royal plaza
No sea port
Trade with Jews, Hindus, Armenian Christians
Istanbul: the Ottoman capital
Built on 7 hills
Gray stone domes, pointed minarets
High walls
The harbor of Istanbul
Lots of trade on the ocean

6. A Tale of Two Cities: Simularities
No wheeled vehicles
Laid out for walking
Streets were narrow
Tightly crowded houses
Interior court yards
Artisan Guilds

7. Concealment of Women Seldom seen in public
Womens quarters were called Anderum which means “interior” or Harem “forbidden area”
Separated public rooms for meeting
Women were often involved in realestate

8. Differences in the treatment of women in European codes and Islamic law
Not allowed to keep their property after their husband dies
Not allowed to appear in court
Islamic
Allowed to retain their land after marriage
Allowed to appear in court and testify for themselves

9. Style of Dress
Both genders completely covered their arms, legs and hair
Typical female clothing: a long dress, with a scarf/shawl pulled down above the face. Pants or trousers often worn under dress
Men wore light trousers, a long shirt, a jacket, and a turben
Wealthier men usually had caftans over their trousers

10. Economic Crisis and Political Collapse
Silk fabrics, and deep pile carpets main units of trade
Different patterns for different cities
Manufacturing not very productive or prominent
Most citizens lived off farming
Difficulties paying soldiers

11. Economic & Political continued
Firearms more prominent in the 16th century
Needed better weapons to defend against the Ottomans
Shah Abbas establishes a “slave corps”
A year round army
Hit by inflation from cheap silver
Trade through Safavid territory decreased after Shah Abbas death
Attempted to kick Nomads out in order to collect taxes
Cpatured by Afghans in 1722, due to weakness and lack of nomadic support

12. Resources
The Earth and Its Peoples volume II