1. The Arab Empire of the Umayyads
Chapter 6

2. Consolidation and Division in the Islamic Community
Caliph? – political & religious successor to Muhammad
Abu Bakr
Smart, but limited power (no money)
Ridda Wars
Bring back those who left
Expand into N. Africa
and Iraq

3. Motives for Arab Conquest
Booty
Rich Farmlands
Tribute from newly conquered peoples
Conversion?
Lucrative taxes levied on Christian, Jewish, and non-Muslim groups
Historical interpretation of jihad is incorrect
“Yearning after bread and dates”

4. Weaknesses of the Adversary Empires
Sassanian Empire
Not doing so great
Landed Aristocracy holds the real power
Zoroastrianism lacks popular roots
Dynasty ended, 651
Byzantium
Copts & Nestorians
defected – taxes
Lost Territory

5. The Problem of Succession and the Sunni-Shi’a Split
Uthman (3rd caliph) is murdered
Ali (4th caliph) (Son-in-Law)
Mu’awiya
Caliph, 660
Sunnis
Umayyad
Shia
Descendants
of Ali

6. The Umayyad Imperium Push west
Charles Martel and the Franks stopped them at Poitiers, 732
Retain Iberia until 1400’s
Push East
To the Indus River
New Capital
Damascus
Only Muslim Arabs were first class citizens (small %)

7. Converts and “People of the Book”
Umayyads tried to benefit interactions
Malawi, converts (but no real benefits)
Sometimes they still paid “Jizya”
Dhimmi, people of the book
Jews, Christians
Later, Zoroastrians and Hindus
Communities and Legal System left intact

8. Family and Gender Roles in the Umayyad Age
Seclusion and Subordination already existed in the Middle East
Things Muhammad Believed In
Marriage instead “casual” relationships
No adultery for either gender
No female infanticide
Polygamy ok if you can support & be equal…and you’re a man
Strengthened rights to inheritance & divorce
Dowry goes to wife and bride’s father

9. Umayyad Decline and Fall
Harem Problems
Revolts – It wasn’t what they signed up for
Merv (City in Eastern Iranian)
Abassid revolt
Allies included Shi’a and Malawi
750, Umayyads defeated by Abbasids