Museum EntranceVo

cabu

lary

Impo

rtan

t Pe

ople C

ulture

Go

vernm

ent

and

Eco

no

mics

Welcome to the Museum ofWelcome to the Museum ofTHE EARLY ABBASID ERATHE EARLY ABBASID ERA

Curator’s Offices

Geo

grap

hy

Artifact 22

Curator’s Office

Contact me at [Your linked email address]

Abbasid CaliphateYou are a historian that specializes in the Islamic Empires. You are tired of people ignoring and disrespecting your field of

expertise. You decide to make a flyer to post all over your campus that shows the exciting

and positive attributes of the Abbasid Caliphate. You go to your favorite local

Abbasid History Museum to find the perfect facts for your flyer. Include at least 4 facts

from each room.

APWH Chapter 6-7 Webquest

Note: Virtual museums were first introduced by educators at Keith Valley Middle School in Horsham, Pennsylvania. This template was designed by Dr. Christy Keeler. View the Educational Virtual Museums website for more information on this instructional technique.

Return to Entry

Room 1

Return to

Entry

GeographyGeography

Room 2

Return to

Entry

Important PeopleImportant People

Room 3

Return to

Entry

Government and EconomicsGovernment and Economics

Room 4

Return to

Entry

The Early Abbasid Era: CultureThe Early Abbasid Era: Culture

Room 5

Return to

Entry

Early Abbasid Empire: VocabularyEarly Abbasid Empire: Vocabulary

The Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads and moved the capital from Damascus to a small Christian village on the west bank of the Tigris River, Baghdad. Baghdad was located right next to the capital of Persia and was being run by the Persian empire. The Abbasids then took over. Baghdad was conquered by the Turks in 1055.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid Empire Geography: Moving of Islamic Capital

http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/islam13.htm

http://mb-soft.com/believe/txh/abbasid.htm

Iraq was the central province in the Abbasid caliphate. It was also the cultural center. Notably because of the translation of Greek science and philosophy into Arabic.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireGeography: Iraq

http://www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynasty

Baghdad was founded in 762 CE. That year Baghdad became the capital of the Abbasid empire. Baghdad was known for being a cultural, philosophical, and literary center. Because Baghdad is located of the Tigris river it always had an abundant water supply but still had a dry climate.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireGeography: Baghdad

http://www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynasty

Baghdad was located on the edge of the Tigris river. The Tigris river was 750 feet wide. The river allowed many ships, warships, and Chinese trading vessels to dock there. This made Baghdad a place for the trading of culture and many other goods.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireGeography: Tigris River

http://historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwrashid.htm

Harun ar-Rashid was the fifth and most famous Abbasid Caliph in Iraq. He ruled from from 786 to 809. He was known for scientific, cultural, art, music, and religious prosperity. He also founded the Bayt al-Hikma, a library meaning House of Wisdom.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People: Harun ar-Rashid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbas_ibn_Abd_al-Muttalib

Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (566-653 CE) was the paternal uncle and companion of Muhammad. He was Muhammad’s youngest uncle. Abd al-Muttailb was a wealthy merchant Makka. Although al-Muttalib provided protection to his kinsman, while the Muslim religion was catching on, al-Muttalib did not support it. Shortly before the fall of Makka he turned away from the Quraysh rulers and gave his support to Mohammad.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People: Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

After Harun ar-Rashid died in 809, he left Baghdad to his son al-Amin. Al-Amin had very strong-willed followers who attacked the eastern side of the empire in the spring of 811, but were defeated. Al-Amin was then killed during an attack by the eastern half of the empire in 813.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People: al-Amin

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

When Harun al-Rashid died he left the eastern half of the empire to his son al-Ma’mun. Al-Amin’s (his brother) followers attacked his empire in the spring of 811 but were defeated. His followers retaliated by attacking Iraq from August of 812 to September of 813. They were successful in killing al-Amin.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid Empire Important People: al-Ma’mun

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

In 762 the capital of the Abbasid dynasty became Baghdad, then known as Madinat as-Salam (City of Peace).The Abbasid dynasty rulers put their capital in Baghdad after defeating the previous Umayyad caliphs. It quickly grew bigger than any Asian or European city. It expanded at the expense of other great cities in the Middle East but became the “seat of the government”.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/Politics

Baghdad

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

Al-Mu’tasim ruled during this time. He introduced a new class of Turkish warriors to take over the military positions of the area. This led Baghdadis to feel left out and become angry so Al-Mu’tasim decided to make Samarra the new capital, and it became “one of the last major urban civilizations in Iraq until the 20th century.” In 865, a civil war broke out between Samarra and Baghdad, essentially damaging Baghdad pretty badly. However, in 892 the caliphs returned to Baghdad and Samarra became nothing more than an ordinary town.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/PoliticsSamarra As A Capital

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

During the rule of al-Mu’tasim, Turkish warriors were introduced to the military. This “class” was made mainly out of Turkish slaves, also known as Mamluks. For a while this huge army helped the caliphate. But because they didn’t have “any ties to the local community [it] gave rise to political instability”. For about a decade the Turkish soldiers killed the caliphs pretty much whenever they wanted, but power to the caliphs was eventually restored though the Turkish uprising had permanently affected Iraq.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/Economics

Turkish Warriors

http://www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html

Harun ar-Rashid’s rule marked the high point of economic prosperity in the years 786-809. Karen Armstrong said, “"Arab Muslims now studied astronomy, alchemy, medicine and mathematics with such success that, during the ninth and tenth centuries, more scientific discoveries had been achieved in the Abbasid empire than in any previous period of history.” However this was ruined by unlawful disruption in the south by Walid ibn Tarif. When Harun died, he split the Caliphate, leaving it to his two sons. This was a horrible idea, and led to a destructive civil war. This was most likely the beginning of the fall of prosperity in this area.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/Economics

Reign of Harun ar-Rushid

The Abbasids were patrons of acquiring knowledge and supported religious observance. Their leaders were the first Muslim rulers of an Islamic nation. In addition, they became guardians of the religion as opposed to an Arab aristocracy commanding an Arab civilization on the lands that they conquered. Baghdad took Medina’s place as the main, thriving civilization. Baghdad became the core of theological activity, and industry and commerce developed greatly. As a result, the Islamic empire came to their peak as material and intellectual achievement flourished.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EmpireCulture: Basis/Foundation

Dols, Michael W. "Abbasids." Public Services - Social, Religious, Scientific, Products, Environment. 2007. Web. 09 Oct. 2010. <http://mb-soft.com/believe/txh/abbasid.htm>.

Ahmed, Leila. "Women in World History: Primary Sources." Center for History and New Media. 2004-2006.

Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://chnm.gmu.edu/wwh/d/204/wwh.html>.

During the Early Abbasid Empire, women’s roles in society were regarded as unimportant. As a result of a strong Patriarchal Society and from the conquests of Sassanid and Byzantine lands, their voice in society was intentionally quieted, and their presence in politics was vanishing. This sort of outlook on women’s importance effected their daily lives.

“To Abu Hassan I offer condolences.At times of disaster and catastrophe

God multiplies rewards for the patient.To be patient in misery

Is equivalent to giving thanks for a gift.Among the blessings of God undoubtedly

Is the preservation of sonsAnd the death of daughters.”

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireCulture: Women

Moshref, Rameen Javid. "Shahnama." Afghan Network INteractive. Web. 09 Oct. 2010. <http://www.afghan-

network.net/Culture/shahnama.html>.

Sha-Nama (the Book of Kings)By FirdawsiThe Sha-Nama was a prominent epic poem written in the Abbasid era. With a lavish and elegant style, this important piece was as profound as it was informative; it explicitly tells of battles, illicit love affairs, and intrigues. Vibrant illustrations and grand manuscripts were only part of this work’s glory. Many times did people read this piece of literature aloud while being musically accompanied.

Other pieces of writing during this time would Include subjects of: everyday incidents, striving for communion with the divine, and statecraft.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireCulture: Writing

Young, M.J.L. "Religion, Learning and Science in the 'Abbasid Period." Cambridge University Press. 2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521028875>.

Philosophy, medicine, mathematics, and other sciences flourished as the Islamic world developed the knowledge and wisdom of earlier cultures. They contributed to the world of math when they revised and corrected some Greek’s theories of algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.They also came to classify all material substances into three groups (animal, mineral, and vegetable). They also contributed knowledge in mineral weighing, mapping, and astronomy. However, Muslim’s technological breakthroughs tended to focus on practical applications as well. For example, hospitals, papermaking, silk-weaving, and ceramic firing.

Return to Exhibit

Early Abbasid EmpireCulture:Sciences

Karr, Karen. "Mawali - History for Kids!" Kidipede - History and Science for Kids - Homework Help for Middle School. 15 Jan.

2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/islam/people/mawali.htm>.

Islamic converts (Mawali) were supposed to be considered the same as anyone else. All Muslims were sisters and brothers; Arabs weren’t greater than Syrians, Persians, or Egyptian; either black or white, skin color was of no importance. Anyone who followed Islam, even a mawali, was rightfully equal. Under the Umayyad dynasty however, racist ideas said that the only good people were Arabs. Ironically, the term means "companion" or "equal." Mawalis were initially considered a second class under the “superior” Arabs. It was because of this that the mawalis rebelled against the Umayyad rulers and put in a new dynasty, the Abbasids, that promised to treat the mawalis fairly, in accordance with Islam. Return to

Exhibit

The Earl Abbasid EmpireVocabulary: Mawali

Mikaberidze, Alexander, and David Sharashenidze. "Mameluks, the Great Warriors of the Past." The Napoleon Series. 1995-2004. Web.

11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.napoleon-series.org/military/organization/c_mameluks.ht

ml>.

The Mamluks or the “White Slaves” (in Arabic) were a military force mostly of Turkish slaves – many of which who were famous for the horsemanship. The Mamluks typically came to hold military and political power – and in some cases, attain the rank of sultan. For this reason, many times were Mamluks considered to be of a greater social rank than normal slaves, and even above freeborn Muslims. The Mamluks were responsible for eliminating the last of the Crusades and at one point recruited by Napoleon to form his very own Mamluk Force.

"I could not imagine what I could do using a fistful of these warriors" -Napoleon

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary: Mamluks

"Saudi Arabia - The Ulama." Country Studies. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.

<http://countrystudies.us/saudi-arabia/54.htm>.

The Ulama were orthodox, religious scholars. They highly disagreed with non-Islamic ideas and scientific thinking. They also related the ancient Greek learning to the “aggressive” civilizations located in the Christian part of Europe. The ulamas thought that questioning (characteristic of Greek tradition) would disrupt the power and authority of the Quran – in which they thought was the “final, perfect, and complete revelation of an all-knowing divinity”. Many bright Islamic theologians had trouble converging the Orthodox and Greek traditions because the ulama would constantly turn down their ideas.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary: Ulama

Pike, John. "Sufi Islam." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. 200-2010. Web. 08 Oct. 2010.

<http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/islam-sufi.htm>.

The term “sufis” was derived from woolen robes that wandering mystics would wear. These mystics, Sufis, would seek a personal union with their god, Allah. Sufis would try to focus on the presence of Allah in their life rather than the usual “illusory existence” of everyday life. Sufis were strictly monotheistic and made sure that there were distinct boundaries between that of Allah and humans. Although strict on their beliefs, sufis came in a wide spectrum of characters. Some were believed to be miracle workers and healers. Others were leaders of militant bands trying to spread the Islamic religion.Some sufis would try to unite with Allah through asceticism, or meditation, while others tried songs, drugs, and even dancing (whirling dervishes).

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary: Sufis

Bat-Ye'or. "The Status of Non-Muslim Minorities Under Islamic Rule." Dhimmis and Dhimmitude: The Status of Minorities Under

Islamic Rule. 2001-2006. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.dhimmitude.org/>.

The Dhimmis were the People of the Book (Christians and Jews) – people who shared the bible with the Muslims. Eventually, Persians and Zoroastrians also became dhimmis as the Arabian conquests spread – expanding the term dhimmis to suit the groups.Dhimmis were generally tolerated and accepted by the Muslim overlords; they were free to worship however they wanted, whenever they wanted. Although they did still have to pay both property & commercial taxes, and the jizya (tax), their legal systems and communities were as they were. In the end, this was a good call my the Muslim overlords because it did not oppress the people and consequently made them accept the Arab law and rules.

Return to Exhibit

The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary:Dhimmi

http://www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynasty

One day man calling himself Abu Muslim appeared in the city of Marv. Marv is located about 1500 miles east of Damascus. He recruited warriors and told them that the family of Ali and the Prophet must return to the Caliphate. In 750 CE his forces clashed with the Umayyads on the Great Zab River in Iraq. The last Umayyad caliph fled into Egypt, where he was eventually caught and killed.

Return to Entrance

Early Abbasid Empire:Abu Muslim

Perhaps the most predominant style of Arabic calligraphy, the Thuluth Style was created in the Abbasid period. This style was used particularly when writing official documents of the king or Sultan. The style may have gotten it’s name “thuluth” (“a third”) because the thuluth writing was about one third of the size of the other well known contemporary writing style. As depicted in the picture to the right, the script is a combination of lines & curves, a cursive flow, and intricate proportions. Some still consider it the most vital of all the ornamental scripts today.

Return to Entrance

Early Abbasid EmpireCalligraphy: Thuluth

"Thuluth Style." Islamic Arts and Architecture Organization. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://islamicart.com/main/calligraphy/styles/thuluth.html>.

http://www.answers.com/topic/the-book-of-one-thousand-and-one-nights

The Book of One Thousand and One Nights is one of the most famous (collection of) stories of this time period. It’s also known as Arabian Nights. The number and type of stories vary in each edition, but it started in the 10th century and was eventually pretty much completed in the 14th century. In the 18th century is when it was first translated to English. We get a lot of famous Western characters from this book, like Aladdin, Sinbad, and Ali Baba.

Return to Exhibit

The Book of One Thousand and One Nights