The Arab Empire of the Umayyads

The First Muslim EmpireThe Arab Empire of the UmayyadsBackgroundMuhammad dies in 632 CEMany Bedouin tribes renounced faith within monthsMuslims form a military to help prevent the fall of their religion Jihad (struggle or Holy War)Conquered Mesopotamia, N. Africa, PersiaLed by ArabsA small warrior elite class known as the UmayyadsLittle desire to convert newly conquered populationsPolitics: A New LeaderMuslims deeply divided on who should be the leader after Muhammads death Did not choose successorMuslims choose a new Caliph

Abu Bakr becomes first Caliph (632-634)Knew the Bedouin tribesKnew who could be made allies and how to turn them against each other if neededBegan to lead attacks into Iraq, Syria & EgyptEncouraged Bedouins to ally and prepare to attack the Byzantine and Persian EmpiresPolitics: Spread of IslamArab Motivations to ConquerIslamic faith united themTake revenge on non-Arab rulersBut mostly, the promise of riches and treasures to be taken in the fightMany did not want to convert the people they conqueredIf those people became Muslim, they would have to share in the riches won in battleIf those people stayed Jewish, Christian or another faith, they had to pay taxes, so that is lost if they convert themThus, the idea of jihad, being the main reason of Islamic expansion is a false one that many people believe todayPolitics: Spread of IslamThey attacked the Sasanian Empire (Persian) first as it was weaker than the ByzantinePersian emperor was a puppet for aristocracyZoroastrianism had lost popularityAristocracy was harsh on their workersMilitary was weak and disorganized

In 651, the Muslims already had conquered the capital of the Sasanian EmpirePolitics: Spread of IslamConquering the Byzantines would prove more difficultDid receive help from Egyptian and Syrian Christians These were Coptic Christians and did not like the Orthodox Christian rule of the ByzantineOrthodox would tax the Coptic and persecute them as hereticsByzantines were weaker after fighting long wars with PersiansMuslims took Syria, western Iraq, and Palestine quicklyLater they took Egypt and the city of Alexandria; then LibyaAmazingly, these desert Bedouin then built a large navy wherein they would gain dominance of the Mediterranean

Byzantine Empire was able to keep Turkey and Greece plus a few other lands, but they were essentially out of the Middle East and greatly weakened

Politics: UmayyadThe third Caliph, Uthman, was the first Ummayad CaliphMurdered in Egypt by Muslim soldiersWanted Muhammads nephew, Ali to take leadershipUmayyads swear revengePolitics: UmayyadAliStrong and experienced military leaderLoved by followersWon all the first battles against the UmayyadIn 657, he was about to finish them offBut the Umayyad made a plea for mediation (peace talks)He decides to listenThis gave the Umayyad time to regroupThey took over Egypt and then one year later assassinated AliThe next caliph was Muawiya, a Umayyad

Politics: Umayyad The split of IslamThis fight caused a major divisionThose who supported Ali, and other relatives of Muhammad, became known as ShiitesThose that supported the Umayyad, became known as the SunniLed to many differences in laws, traditions and beliefs sinceAlso led to much violence ever sinceIslamSUNNISHIITEUmayyadMuhammads familyPolitics: UmayyadBuilt biggest empire since the Romans AND they did it way faster than anyone else (about 100 years)

Went into Central Asia and began a rivalry with Buddhism (still exists today)

By the 8th centrury had conquered into northwestern India fierce rivalry with Hinduism

Dominated Mediterranean Sea, conquering islands like Sicily and Crete

During the same time, conquered Spain in Europe and nearly conquered France rivalry with Catholic ChristiansDefeated in France by Charles the Hammer MartelBattle of ToursHUGELY IMPORTANT to the future of EuropePolitics: UmayyadMecca remained most holy city

Capital City: Damascus, Syria

Small, wealthy groups of Arabs ruled in non-Arab conquered nations

Only Muslim Arabs were first class citizens

Muslims could be taxed only for charity

Muslims had all the positions of power

Culture: UmayyadThe Bedouin began interacting and intermarrying people of the conquered lands

Many of these people were voluntarily converting to IslamNew converts still were not granted citizenship and were forced to pay the taxesThe long-time believers did not want to lose their status or money

Therefore most people kept their religions:Jewish, Christian, Hindu, ZoroastrianAllowed to worship as they pleasedPayed heavy taxesKeeping their religion, let people accept Arab Muslim rule much easierSocial Structures: UmmayadPrior to Islam, women had often been treated as sexual servants in arab culture

Muhammad changed that for the betterPromoted marriage (though could have 4 wives)Hated adultery (both male and female)Forbids female infanticide (was widely practiced)Let women have a say in who they marriedWomen had property and inheritance rightsWomen had divorce rightsThe dowry was given to the wife instead of her fatherEquality in spirit before AllahFirst martyr of Islam was a womanMany women wrote the Hadiths

Social Structures: UmayyadUnder the UmayyadLittle is heard of veiled womenWomen pursued work in education, law and businessIndependent minded-

A niece of the Caliph once was chided about not wearing a veil, so she said, Allah in his wisdom, has chosen to give me a beautiful face and I intend to make sure it is on public display so that all might appreciate his grace.Political Decline: UmayyadUmayyad caliphs lose focusLuxury and soft livingHundreds of women in harems (sexual servants often)

The Caliphs became more and more aloof, staying in their palaces rather than mixing with the people

This enraged many as Muhammad and Abu Bakr led very simple livesPolitical Decline: UmayyadA revolt started in Iran50,000 men were upset with the Umayyad and the Damascus attitude of superiorityStart a revolution in 747 CEThese men marched under black banners of the Abbasid partyLed by Abu al-Abbas, relative of MuhammadFormed alliances with others upset with Umayyad (including the Shiites and the Muslim converts who still did not get citizenship, and had to pay taxes)Political Decline: UmayyadThe Abbasid and their fellow rebels quickly won the first several battles

Faced off with the Umayyad Caliph at the massive Battle on the River Zab near the Tigris

The Abbasid won

Political Decline: UmayyadAfter the Umayyad surrendered

Abu al-Abbas invited them all to dinner

While they were eating, they were quickly wrapped in sheets and slaughtered by the Abbasid

Only one grandson of the Umayyad got away and fled to Spain where he started the Cordoba Caliphate which lasted for hundreds of years