New Forms of Political AuthorityChallenges to Islamic civilization, 950 - 1260Quick outline1. Buyid Sultanate2. Arrival of Turks, 950-1050Mahmud of Ghazna’s state (998-1030)Characteristics of Turkish statesillustrationsSaljuqs, from nomads to empire buildersSlide 103. Fatimid EmpireProblems for Fatimids“Omar Khayyam” with Assassin chief, Hasan-i Sabah4. Western MediterraneanSlide 15Internal fractures of the post-caliphate worldNew Forms of Political AuthorityCarl ErnstReli 180, Introduction to Islamic CivilizationChallenges to Islamic civilization, 950 - 1260Sophisticated cultural, religious, intellectual, and economic achievementsThree CaliphsSunni Umayyad in CórdobaShi`i Fatimid in North AfricaPowerless Sunni `Abbasid in Baghdad, under “protection” of Shi`i Buyid princesThree centuries of immense cultural productivity marred by spectacular violence2Quick outline1. Buyid Sultanate2. Turks, especially Saljuqs3. Fatimid Empire4. Western Mediterranean: Almoravid Berbers31. Buyid Sultanate“sultan” (Arabic “proof” [of God on His earth]), title adopted by sub-caliphal rulersUse of tax farming to pay militaryPublic rituals of Shi`ism10 Muharram (`Ashura), marking Karbala = 8 January 200918 Dhu al-Hijjah (Ghadir Khumm) = 16 December 2008Prosperity in Persia, nomadic resurgence42. Arrival of Turks, 950-1050A quasi-ethnic term for nomadic groups from Central Asia5Mahmud of Ghazna’s state (998-1030)6Characteristics of Turkish statesWaves of migrationMahmud raids India’s temple cities (loot)Seeks recognition from the Caliph: Sunni legitimacyPatronage of Persian culture and poetry: Persian kingshipCommissions Shah Namah (Book of Kings) by Firdausi (1010), longest epic by a single author (100,000 lines)7illustrations8Gayumars, the first man in Iranian myth, enthroned in his kingdom (from the Shah Tahmasp album of 1522)Saljuqs, from nomads to empire buildersGradual conquest of Persia and IraqInternal conflicts of Turkish eliteOpposition from Fatimid agentsTughril captures Baghdad 1057Nomadic raiders on Byzantine frontier: Battle of Manzikert (1071)Turkish penetration of AnatoliaPersian traditions: Nizam al-Mulk’s Book of Government9103. Fatimid EmpireConsolidation in Maghrib (“the West”) leads to conquest of Egypt in 969Isma`il now the official ancestor of CaliphsWide-ranging missionary program in Central Asia and Indus ValleyChristians and Jews have opportunitiesAl-Hakim claims divinity Druze faith (concealment)11Problems for FatimidsGrowth of trade in Mediterranean, Red Sea route to IndiaImport of Turkish cavalry, friction with BerbersSuccession dispute: Nizar vs. Musta`liNizari Isma`ilis (“Assassins”) create revolutionary state and fortresses (Alamut)12“Omar Khayyam” with Assassin chief, Hasan-i SabahCheesy Hollywood “Omar Khayyam” film (1957) depicts Isma`ilis as commies 134. Western MediterraneanNorman invasion of Arab Sicily 1034, brief cultural synthesisHilali Arab tribes migrate west from EgyptMaghrib turns SunniEconomic declineReligious empire of Almoravids among BerbersCollapse of Umayyad caliphate, rule of Andalus from Maghrib1415Internal fractures of the post-caliphate world1. Buyid Sultanate2. Turks, especially Saljuqs3. Fatimid Empire4. Western Mediterranean: Almoravid
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