Three Caliphates: `Abbasid, Fatimid, Umayyad Andalus1. The `Abbasid caliphate (750-1256)`Abbasid caliphate – early periodMilitary and economic problemsAssertion of Regional AutonomyIsma`ili activism2. A second caliphate (Fatimids)3. Umayyad caliphate in CórdobaSlide 10The Caliphate of CordobaSalon RicoSalon Rico, interiorAudience hallMihrab of great mosqueMihrab detailThe church in the mosqueMosque interiorCrucifix in the mosque todayEthnic groups in al-AndalusUmayyad caliphateEconomic networksEconomyThree Caliphates:`Abbasid, Fatimid, Umayyad AndalusCarl W. ErnstIntroduction to Islamic Civilization1. The `Abbasid caliphate (750-1256)Triumph of Persian cosmopolitan and Imperial tradition over Arab particularismOnly politically effective for a centuryPowerful centrifugal forcesEconomic network tying things together`Abbasid caliphate – early periodArab elites replaced by Khorasani guardIncreasing remoteness of regime from citizens, growth of court ceremonial in Persian styleNew urban sophistication: hedonistic poetry of Abu NuwasGrowth of Arabic literature: Thousand and One Nights as popular storytellingMilitary and economic problemsTroops coming from border areas or beyond: Turks as military slaves (mamluks)Weakened economy could not sustain militaryRebellion of East African slaves (Zanj) in marshes near BasraAssertion of Regional AutonomyProvincial independence: Egypt, Persia, Central Asiarise of New Persian language in Arabic scriptAbandonment of Samarra as capitalIranian Buyid princes (Zaydi Shi`ites from the Caspian) take charge, caliphs as powerless puppetsIsma`ili activismMultiple groups in late ninth century:Carmathians in Bahrain, attack Mecca and steal the Black Stone from Ka`ba (930-951)`Abd Allah leaves Syria (902) and founds Fatimid empire in North Africa, claims descent from Ja`far’s son `Abd Allah2. A second caliphate (Fatimids)Shi`ite call to prayer, sermon in the name of caliph-imamKharijite and `Alid principalities in North Africa overwhelmedFirst military campaigns against Egypt (913-934) unsuccessful3. Umayyad caliphate in CórdobaConquest of Iberian peninsula except NW (Asturias)Independent of Baghdad after 740Umayyad prince `Abd al-Rahman, fleeing `Abbasids, claims throneBattle of Zaragoza vs. Charlemagne leads to romanticized Song of RolandThe Caliphate of CordobaExcavated ruins of Madinat az-Zahra, ca. 940Salon RicoSalon Rico, interiorAudience hallMihrab of great mosqueMihrab detailThe church in the mosqueMosque interiorCrucifix in the mosque todayEthnic groups in al-AndalusMozarabe (muta`arrab): Arabized ChristiansSefardic JewsMuladie (muwallad, “born [here]”): Iberian converts to IslamArabs: Syrians, etc.BerbersMudejar (mudajjan, “tamed”): Muslims under Christian ruleUmayyad caliphateAndalus ruled by Muslim minorityArabization of Jews and Christians[Egger overestimates isolation of Andalusian Christians: see Codex biblicus legionensis : Biblia visigótico mozárabe in Wilson Library – Latin Bible with Arabic comments]Economic networksIndus to Andalus: economy, agriculture, industry, trade, cities a medieval “Muslim world”Irrigation based on water wheel (noria) and canal (qanat)EconomyExtraordinary textile productionShift from long distance luxury goods to mass consumption tradeCamels, market in timber and metalsNorth Europeans unable to use advanced products of MuslimsSilk Road, maritime commerce in western Indian OceanShift from Gulf to Red