1. T HE S AFAVID E MPIRE

2. I.O RIGINS map, p. 469 was a Shiite empire, founded by Shah Ismail shah = king covered much of Iraq & Iran (also known as Persia) used the Shiite faith to unite the areas under Safavid control conflict with the Ottoman Empire religious conflict territorial conflict Azerbaijan capital = Isfahan

3. II.M AJOR R ULERS Shah Ismail – founder Shah Abbas (r. 1588-1629) strengthened the army & government bureaucracy regained control of Azerbaijan in 1612 after Shah Abbas’ death, religious orthodoxy began to play a larger role in Safavid society effect on women? the Safavid empire declined by the early 18 th cent. result? - anarchy comparison w/Ottomans? – see Venn diagram on p. 470

4. III.S AFAVID S OCIETY reflected both Turkish & Persian influence pyramidal political structure 1. shah exercised power over the landed aristocracy awarded govt. positions based upon merit & skill 2. bureaucracy & landed peoples 3. common people trade & manufacturing were very important good location for trade horse or camel caravans led to creation of an affluent urban middle class

5. IV.C ULTURE Isfahan became a center for the arts a planned city elaborate buildings silk weaving was a distinctive art form, as was carpet weaving Riza-i-Abbasi painter used simple subjects for inspiration “Convivial Party”(1612) (Hermitage Museum)

6. The "Seley" Carpet, late 16th century Probably Herat (present-day Afghanistan) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

7. Binding: From a manuscript of the Mantiq al- Tayr (The Language of the Birds) of Farid al-Din c Attar, ca. 1600; Safavid Iran (Isfahan) The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

8. Jug, early 16th century; Safavid Afghanistan (probably Herat) Cast brass, inlaid with silver and gold The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC