Museum Entrance

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Museum Entrance
Welcome to the Museum of THE EARLY ABBASID
ERA
Artifact 22
Important People
Government and Economics
Vocabulary
Culture
Curators Offices
Geography
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Curators Office
APWH Chapter 6-7 Webquest
Abbasid Caliphate You 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.
Contact me at Your linked email address
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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.
Place your picture here.
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Room 1
Geography

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Room 2
Important People
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Room 3
Government and Economics

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Room 4
The Early Abbasid Era Culture
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Room 5
Early Abbasid Empire Vocabulary
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Early Abbasid Empire Geography Moving of
Islamic Capital
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.
http//www.fsmitha.com/h3/islam13.htm
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Early Abbasid EmpireGeography Iraq
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.
http//mb-soft.com/believe/txh/abbasid.htm
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Early Abbasid EmpireGeography Baghdad
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.
http//www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynast
y
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Early Abbasid EmpireGeography Tigris River
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.
http//www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynast
y
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Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People Harun
ar-Rashid
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.
http//historymedren.about.com/library/who/blwwra
shid.htm
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Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People Abbas ibn
Abd al-Muttalib
Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (566-653 CE) was the
paternal uncle and companion of Muhammad. He was
Muhammads 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.
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbas_ibn_Abd_al-Mutt
alib
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Early Abbasid EmpireImportant People al-Amin
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.
http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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Early Abbasid Empire Important People al-Mamun
When Harun al-Rashid died he left the eastern
half of the empire to his son al-Mamun.
Al-Amins (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.
http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/PoliticsBaghdad
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.
http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/PoliticsSamarra
As A Capital
Al-Mutasim 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-Mutasim 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.
http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/EconomicsTurkish
Warriors
During the rule of al-Mutasim, 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 didnt 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.
http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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The Early Abbasid EraGovernment/EconomicsReign
of Harun ar-Rushid
Harun ar-Rashids 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.
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http//www.angelfire.com/nt/Gilgamesh/abasid1.html
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The Early Abbasid EmpireCulture Basis/Foundation
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 Medinas 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.
Dols, Michael W. "Abbasids." Public Services -
Social, Religious, Scientific, Products,
Environment. 2007. Web. 09 Oct. 2010.
lthttp//mb-soft.com/believe/txh/abbasid.htmgt.
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Early Abbasid EmpireCulture Women
During the Early Abbasid Empire, womens 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 womens importance effected
their daily lives. To Abu Hassan I offer
condolences.At times of disaster and
catastropheGod multiplies rewards for the
patient.To be patient in miseryIs equivalent to
giving thanks for a gift.Among the blessings of
God undoubtedlyIs the preservation of sonsAnd
the death of daughters.
Ahmed, Leila. "Women in World History Primary
Sources." Center for History and New Media.
2004-2006. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. lthttp//chnm.gmu.edu
/wwh/d/204/wwh.htmlgt.
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Early Abbasid EmpireCulture Writing
Sha-Nama (the Book of Kings) By Firdawsi The
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 works 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.
Moshref, Rameen Javid. "Shahnama." Afghan Network
INteractive. Web. 09 Oct. 2010.
lthttp//www.afghan-network.net/Culture/shahnama.ht
mlgt.
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Early Abbasid EmpireCultureSciences
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 Greeks
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, Muslims technological
breakthroughs tended to focus on practical
applications as well. For example, hospitals,
papermaking, silk-weaving, and ceramic firing.
Young, M.J.L. "Religion, Learning and Science in
the 'Abbasid Period." Cambridge University Press.
2010. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. lthttp//www.cambridge.org
/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn9780521028875gt.
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The Earl Abbasid EmpireVocabulary Mawali
Islamic converts (Mawali) were supposed to be
considered the same as anyone else. All Muslims
were sisters and brothers Arabs werent 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.
Karr, Karen. "Mawali - History for Kids!"
Kidipede - History and Science for Kids -
Homework Help for Middle School. 15 Jan. 2009.
Web. 11 Oct. 2010. lthttp//www.historyforkids.org/
learn/islam/people/mawali.htmgt.
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The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary Mamluks
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
Mikaberidze, Alexander, and David Sharashenidze.
"Mameluks, the Great Warriors of the Past." The
Napoleon Series. 1995-2004. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.
lthttp//www.napoleon-series.org/military/organizat
ion/c_mameluks.htmlgt.
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The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary Ulama
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.
"Saudi Arabia - The Ulama." Country Studies. Web.
11 Oct. 2010. lthttp//countrystudies.us/saudi-arab
ia/54.htmgt.
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The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabulary Sufis
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).
Pike, John. "Sufi Islam." GlobalSecurity.org -
Reliable Security Information. 200-2010. Web. 08
Oct. 2010. lthttp//www.globalsecurity.org/military
/intro/islam-sufi.htmgt.
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The Early Abbasid EmpireVocabularyDhimmi
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.
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. lthttp//www.dhimmitu
de.org/gt.
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Early Abbasid EmpireAbu Muslim
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.?
http//www.helium.com/items/1677786-abbasid-dynast
y
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Early Abbasid EmpireCalligraphy Thuluth
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 its 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.
"Thuluth Style." Islamic Arts and Architecture
Organization. Web. 11 Oct. 2010.
lthttp//islamicart.com/main/calligraphy/styles/thu
luth.htmlgt.
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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. Its 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.
http//www.answers.com/topic/the-book-of-one-thous
and-and-one-nights
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