* 634 - 644 = time of Arab expansion (Islam remained a chiefly Arab religion)
o After they went into North Africa many non Arab people converted
* Many ppl saw Islam as a well organized life
* Way of life did not conflict w/ Muslim teachings (culture remained diverse)
o Also Muslims tolerated Jews and Christians (more diverse)
Political Divisions in the Islamic Empire:
* Umayyads = strong military leaders
* Muslim territories became dissatisfied w/ Umayyad rule
* Non Arabs = angry b/c were treated like 2nd class citizens
* 969 empire = split in 3 parts
o Baghdad
o Cordova
o Cairo
The Abbasid Dynasty
* 750 Umayyad dynasty ended
* Rival family Addasis raised army and defeated them in Persia and Iraq
* Addasis began new dynasty in the middle east (ruled from the 8th to the 13th century)
* 762 the capitol of Islam was moved to Baghdad
* Began to employ Turks as mercenaries to strengthen armies
* Abbasid caliphs surrounded themselves w/ luxury
* Islamic civilization bloomed under their rule
o Period of greatest development
* Arabic replaced Greek as dominant language of Middle East and North Africa
* Harun al-Rashid (786 - 809) = friendly w/ Charlemagne the Frankish emperor
* Another made friends w/ the ruler of the T'ang Dynasty
The Muslims in Spain
* 750 one Umayyad, Abdurrahman, escaped to Spain
* 756 declares himself ruler of the Spanish Muslims
* Ruled from Capitol @ Cordova
The Fatimids
* Early 10th century next major division happens
* Shiites in N Africa gain power + set up caliph = distant descendent of Muhammad's daughter Fatima
* Added Egypt to their empire
* Made Cairo capitol
* Went form Morocco to Syria
* Weakened Abbasid rule
Rule Under the Turks:
The Seljuk...