350 likes | 382 Views
Banu Umayya and Banu Abbas. The Umayyad Empire. The Umayyads ruled until 750 CE providing the next 14 caliphs
E N D
Banu Umayya and Banu Abbas
The Umayyad Empire • The Umayyads ruled until 750 CE providing the next 14 caliphs • The first caliph of the Umayyad Empire was Muawiya – when he took control he moved the capital of the Empire from Medina to Damascus in Syria where his supporters and armies were located • Once the Umayyads had control they began to conquer new lands • The empire spanned parts of three continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe in less than 100 yrs.
The Expansion of the Empire • When the Umayyad’s took power in 661 CE the Empire’s eastern boundary extended into Persia and pushed the border further into Central Asia • The expansion began with raids attacking the cities of Bukhara and Smarkland – both major trade cities of the region (located in modern Uzbekistan
Umayyad Armies • Frequent raids soon turned into organized campaigns for conquest which allowed them to control most of Central Asia by 700’s • By 710 they controlled North Africa from the Nile to the Iberian Peninsula • By 711 they moved North across the Mediterranean Sea and into the Iberian Peninsula (modern nations of Spain and Portugal)
Umayyad’s Success • The Umayyads’ ruled successfully for awhile: • Expanded into a vast area of land • They build Mosques (Dome of the Rock) • Allowed their people to bring their problems to them and consulted advisers about their policies • Had a postal service • Arabic replaced Greek and Persian as the language of the captured territory • Developed Arab coinage called the Dinar (gold) or Diraham (silver)
Challenges to Success • The Umayyad controlled a vast empire, and with so much land under their control they faced many challenges • How would the Umayyads rule such a vast empire? • How would the Caliphs communicate with their subjects hundreds of miles away? • How would the subjects of the Ummayyads pay for goods?
Umayyad Government • In order to control the vast territory the Umayyads patterend their government on the bureaucracy used in the lands they won from the Byzantine Empire • The bureaucracy allowed the Umayyads to control the entire empire from the capital, Damascus • The caliphs appointed Emirs, or govenors, to rule the outlying provinces
Language • The population of the Umayyad empire was very diverse which was a challenge in uniting the population • Abd al-Malik, who became caliph in 685, declared Arabic as the language of the government for all Muslim lands
A Common Coinage • Trade was another issue the Umayyads faced • In 700 Abd al-Malik further unified the Empire by introducing a common coinage • The coins helped spread acceptance of Islam and the Arabic language • Commerce was also made easier
The Decline of the Umayyads • Over time the Umayyads started to neglect the rules of Islam • They did not base their laws on the Qur’an • Built lavish palaces outside of the towns where they spent their time hunting, drinking, or dancing surrounded by beautiful women, poets and musicians • The Umayyad clan was Sunni. Which meant they supported the election of caliphs. However, each Umayyad caliph named a relative as a successor before he died. This was creating a ruling family.
The Abbasids • One group of Muslims, the Abbasids, gained support from other Muslims who opposed the Umayyads • By 750 the combined forces devised a plan to overthrow the Umayyads • According to some historians, the Abbasids invited the Umayyad leaders to a meeting to talk about peace. At the meeting the Umayyad’s were murdered
The Islamic Golden age • The golden age was during the Abbasid historical period beginning in the mid-8th century lasting until the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258 • It was led under caliph Harun Rashid • During the reign of Harun al-Rashid Baghdad was the world center of knowledge, wealth and international significance. • Two factors that laid down the foundation of this period: • Collection and translation of knowledge • Sponsoring of scholars • Discussion of viewpoints
Catalysts for success • There are many reasons for the success of the Islamic civilization during this period most notably is: • The principles and ideals of Islam was practiced. • tolerance and respect for the contributions of ethnic and religious minorities. • Islam unified the tribes of Arabia. • Islam was attractive to the conquered: • It was easy to become Muslim • preaches equality (people could move up in society)
Mathematics • Islam made major strides in the field of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. • They used to solve practical problems. • Contributions can be traced to Al-Khawarizmi in the 9th century. • He introduced the fundamentals of algebra. • Most revolutionary contribution was the development of numbers and the discovery of zero (sifr). Muhammad Bin Musa Al-Khawarizmi (780-850)
Scientific method • scientific method was first developed in the Muslim world, where significant progress in methodology was made. • The most important development of the scientific method was the use of experimentation and quantification. • Muslim scientists translated Greek classics and made far-reaching advances in many fields.
Advances in medicine • In the field of medicine the Muslims laid down the foundations of many sub areas of medicine. • Both preventative and remedial aspects of medicine was researched and developed. • Al-Razi, a 9th century Persian physician, made the first major Muslim contribution to medicine when he developed treatments for smallpox and measles. • Another physician Ibnsina composed over 276 works and the most prominent is QanunIbnSina (Cannon of medicine). • Muslims also made advances in the treatments of cataracts (main cause of blindness during old age).
Medicine Invention of medical tools Cataract Extract from the canon of medicine
Philosophy • Al-Farabi and other early Muslim philosophers tried to find rational arguments for the existence of God. • Theologians, led by Al-Ghazali, defended religion by pointing out contradictions and limitations to human reason. • IbnRushd (Muslim scholar), responded to Al-Ghazali's argument by urging philosophers to use reason to reach genuine knowledge of the truth, independent of revelation.
Translation • The Abbasid encouraged translation from pre-Islamic languages, particularly Middle Persian, Greek, and Syriac. • This was necessary for two reason: • 1.to understand the texts • 2.Make further research and development • This activity provided a channel through which older thought could enter and be reoriented by Islamic societies.
Architecture and engineering • Islamic architecture is distinct in terms of its unique architectural elements and ornamentations • Calligraphy, an essential aspect of written Arabic, developed in manuscripts is often incorporated in architectural designs • Muslims also contributed to the field of engineering by inventing gears, cranks, pistons and pumps. • These tools was later incorporated into machinery developed during the European-based industrial revolution.
Architecture and engineering Machine used to elevate water Twin cylinder suction pump by Al-jazri Mill-house near cordoba
The Great Mosque of Kairouan (Tunisia) Founded in 670 (9th century)
Al-Mutawakkil Mosque • Beautiful masjid outside the city of Samarra • Remained intact for centuries
Trade and commerce • The benefits of trade during the golden age
The decline of Islamic civilization (golden age) • The decline of the golden age came as a result of a decline in adherence to Islam as an ideology • Ideological decline can be attributed to: • Infusion of philosophical ideas from Greek, Persian and Indian civilization • Abandoning of ijtihad (Translation) • Neglecting the study of the Arabic language • Political, cultural and missionary intervention from the west
Decline of the golden age • As a result of decline in adherence to Islam: • Muslims priorities in life changed and they faced internal upheavals and conflicts • It also led to weakness of all institutions in the state • The field of Science and technology was most impacted due to financial problems that research funds to decline