6 2 The Arab Empire and Its Successors

6 -2 The Arab Empire and Its Successors

Creation of an Arab Empire • Caliph: successor to Muhammad • Muhammad had no sons, problem choosing successor • They first named Abu Bakr (his father-in-law) • Expand religion and territory • Conquered Italy, Syria, Egypt, North Africa, Persia • After Abu Bakr dies, again they have a problem choosing caliph (the next 2 are assissinated) • Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law, becomes caliph, and he is killed after 5 years. • Islam was tolerant of Christianity and Judaism at first

The Umayyad Dynasty • Capital in Syria • More conquering • Add Spain, but then are stopped from gaining France (Gaul) at the battle of Tours. • Before stopping, they had conquered part of the old Roman Empire

A split in Islam • Internal problems, some are hostile to the caliph (non-Arabs felt like outsiders) • A revolt starts, led by Hussein (Ali’s son), but he is killed • Islam splits: followers of Hussein are Shia and everyone else is Sunni (majority) • The split has caused problems b/w the groups

The Abbasid Dynasty • Capital moved to Baghdad, Iraq • Arabs prospering • Eventually corruption divides empire

The Seljuk Turks • Become Muslim • 2 nd half of 11 th century, go after Byzantine Empire (East Rome) • Byzantine asks the Pope for help • Starts a series of crusades (wars between Christians and Muslims)

Movie Notes on Crusades