Like most Iranians the Safavids (1501-1722) were Sunni, although like many outside Shiism they venerated Imam Ali (601-661), the first of the 12 Shia imams. Abu Ja'far al Mansur. Umayyad dynasty, also spelled Omayyad, the first great Muslim dynasty to rule the empire of the caliphate (661-750 ce), sometimes referred to as the Arab kingdom (reflecting traditional Muslim disapproval of the secular nature of the Umayyad state). https://www.thoughtco.com/abu-jafar-al-mansur-1789197 (accessed March 4, 2023). What powerful Islamic state preceded the Abbasid Dynasty? Technological advances were made and many of these advances are used even in todays society. Siege of Baghdad by Unknown, 1303. Extent of Abbasid dynasty is shown in red and covers most of the modern-day Middle East and North Africa. Instead of focusing, as the Umayyads had done, on the Weston North Africa, the Mediterranean, and southern Europethe caliphate now turned eastward. More precisely, the Abbasid ruling elite was Shia (or Shi'ite) Muslims, subscribing to the belief that the rulers of the Islamic faith should be descendants of the Prophet Muhammed himself. Between 750 and 833 the Abbasids raised the prestige and power of the empire, promoting commerce, industry, arts, and science, particularly during the reigns of al-Manr, Hrn al-Rashd, and al-Mamn. Schools of higher education and libraries were built throughout the empire. In turn, Europeans eventually learned these papermaking and producing skills from Arabs. The second dynasty is the Abbasid dynasty; technically its rule extended as late as 1258, but in reality its princes ceased to be a significant cultural . Muslim Society In 14Th Century India. With the rise of the Abbasids, the base for influence in the empire became international, emphasizing membership in the community of believers rather than Arab nationality. Create and find flashcards in record time. The Abbasid Dynasty, alongside Al-Andalus, greatly contributed to the development of the Islamic Golden Age, especially through the direct promotion of arts, philosophy, and scientific progress. Will Xbox Series X ever be in stock again? The faith upgrade will then be available in. The Abbasids were a powerful clan that had been loyal to the Prophet Muhammad and his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. They encouraged the translation of Greek, Persian, and Indian works into Arabic, which led to a great cultural exchange. It's "inventor" was merely a "finder". 4 Where did the Abbasids get their technology from? They built several iconic structures, including the Great Mosque of Samarra, the Alhambra palace in Spain, and the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. The Chinese had guarded paper making as a secret, but when the Tang lost the battle, the Abbasids captured knowledgeable paper makers as prisoners of war, forcing them to reproduce their craft. The Abbasid Dynasty 750-1258 CE. With the move of the Abbasid's capital from Damascus to Baghdad, the Abbasid Caliphate centralized its role among its Arab and non-Arab citizens. The Julio-Claudian Dynasty (27 B.C.-68 A.D.) The Roman Empire (27 B.C.-393 A.D.) The Roman Republic; The Year One; The Antonine Dynasty (138-193) Art of the Roman Provinces, 1-500 A.D. Baths and Bathing Culture in the Middle East: The Hammam; The Flavian Dynasty (69-96 A.D.) The Idea and Invention of the Villa; Luxury Arts of Rome How do you use a fire extinguisher answer? Snell, Melissa. . How do I use Snipping Tool on Chromebook? ThoughtCo. These same philosophers contributed greatly to other fields, such as medicine, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Like the Umayyad Caliphate before it, the leader of the Abbasids was called the caliph. The Abbasid Dynasty exhibited an excellent example of Medieval Globalization by maintaining relations with foreign powers such as the Carolingian Empire in modern-day France. What were 5 achievements of the Islamic Golden Age? Why did the Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads? The end of the Abbasid era is harder to define. The Abbasid family, well-known descendants of Muhammed, were ready to stake their claim. Several embassies from the Abbasid Caliphs to the Chinese court have been recorded in the Tang Annals, the most important of these being those of Abul Abbas al-Saffah, the first Abbasid caliph; his successor Abu Jafar; and Harun al-Rashid. Nowadays, he is preparing for a PhD program in International Cooperation and Public Policy. "successor"; civic and religious leader of an Islamic state (called a caliphate). Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates. The period is traditionally said to have ended with the collapse of the Abbasid caliphate due to Mongol invasions and the Siege of Baghdad in 1258. The central location and lively trade culture of the city made a lively exchange of ideas possible as well. A dynasty that ruled much of the Muslim Empire from 750 to about 1250.The Abbasid dynasty controlled the Muslim caliphate from 750 to 1258. The authority of the Abbasid caliphs began to fade, and the people of the Islamic world lost trust in Abbasid leadership. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Upload unlimited documents and save them online. This was the result of several factors, mainly civil wars, the Zanj and Qarmatian revolts, political interference by the Turkish and Daylamite soldiers, military iqta and the activity of the ayyarun. Direct link to David Alexander's post As Islamic traders fanned, Posted 3 years ago. were there any women scholars living in bagdhad at the time? History for Kids >> Early Islamic World. A map of the extent of the Abbasid Dynasty from 750 to 1258. Scholars living in Baghdad translated Greek texts and made scientific discoverieswhich is why this era, from the seventh to thirteenth centuries CE, is named the Golden Age of Islam. Tayeb El-Hibri expertly narrates the political history and cultural . Wells of Power - Olaf Caroe 1951 Medieval England - Paul E. Szarmach 1998 How did the Islamic Golden Age contribute to cultural diffusion? If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. Why Do Cross Country Runners Have Skinny Legs? This metaphor of cultural destruction portrays how the population felt the devastation of their collective knowledge. /Type /Catalog She authored the forward for "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades.". Your email address will not be published. Art depicting the 1258 Siege of Baghdad. How did the Abbasid empire differ from the Umayyad empire? The Abbasids were an Arabic dynasty that initially ruled over most of the Islamic empire (save some western parts) after assuming the caliphate in 750 CE, later on, their empire fragmented, however, they retained spiritual supremacy as caliphs until 1258 CE. What brought an end to Islams golden age? It does not store any personal data. Who did the Abbasid Caliphate defeat in the 751 Battle of Talas? Only five years after their victory, as-Saffah died, and al Mansur became caliph. The city was given a circular form and was fortified by two walls that circled the town. How to unlock the A Golden Age achievement. Who was the real founder of Abbasid dynasty? Despite the Abbasid Dynasty's diminishing political power, its undeniable influence on the world mark it as a golden age of advancement in the Islamic world. The Umayyads were defeated in battle, and its leadership began to flee. On this side of the river stood the palaces of the great nobles. B;"pv$LQrr2Z|+14eXQ`0A(#GFm|a 0b#'ThSS=s#7z(A.22|pY.L)Mu 0Wj }= Create flashcards in notes completely automatically. Abbasid caliphate in the fourth/tenth century suffered from a sharp economic decline. What was the Abbasid empire known for and where was its capital? endobj Al Mansur's extreme measures caused difficulties, but ultimately they helped him to establish the Abbasid dynasty as a power to be reckoned with. <> The Caliph was in Baghdad. What were the technological advancements of the Song Dynasty? Abbasid Dynasty: Architecture and Science Flourish The collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate ushered in the golden age of the Abbasid Dynasty. Arabic poetry and literature reached their height during the era of the Abbasid Caliphate. It's not about geography, but about power. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Direct link to sara razi's post Is there any other reason, Posted 3 years ago. What changes did Abbasids make during their rule? He declared himself the new caliph and established the Abbasid Caliphate in the newly built city of Baghdad. In the 12th century, the Crusaders invaded the Middle East and took control of Jerusalem. Image credit: The Abbasids built Baghdad from scratch while maintaining the network of roads and trade routes the Persians had established before the Umayyad Dynasty took over. How did Abbasid Caliphate maintain power? Since much support for the Abbasids came from Persian converts, it was natural for the Abbasids to take over much of the Persian (Sasanian) tradition of government. 5 When did the Abbasid dynasty start and end? . The invasion of the Mongols, who sack Baghdad. Soon after, in 1258, the dynasty fell during a Mongol siege of Baghdad. Consider Athens in Greek Civilization, Rome in Roman, St Petersburg in Russian and the Boston-Washington corridor in American civilization. The Abbasid caliphs established the city of Baghdad in 762 CE. Everything you need for your studies in one place. Centuries of scholarly works had been destroyed, marking not only the end of the Abbasid Caliphate but of the Islamic Golden Age entirely. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. This, in turn, led to an increase in production, which further contributed to the empires food security, prosperity, and stability. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. True or False: The Abbasid Dynasty's territories expanded considerably during its reign. How were Abbasids different from umayyads? Over 10 million students from across the world are already learning smarter. The Persian Abbasids, who overthrew the Arab Umayyad, were a Sunni dynasty that relied on Shia support to establish their empire. Islamic scholars made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. This trend of impendent governors would continue, causing major problems for the caliphate. A new city removed his people from troubles in partisan regions and housed an expanding bureaucracy. So to sum it up, the Abbasid Empire fell down due to these reasons: Power struggles, and an unorganized method for succession. Al Mansur died while on a pilgrimage to Mecca and is buried outside the city. Because Islamic rule unified much of the Eastern world, thus abolishing many boundaries, trade was freer, safer, and more extensive than it had been since the time of Alexander the Great. Just a few of these advancements included improvements in agriculture, development of moveable type, uses for gunpowder, invention of a mechanical clock, superior shipbuilding, the use of paper money, compass navigation, and porcelain production. This marked the beginning of the golden age of Islamic civilization. After the caliphate of al-Ma'mun, Abbasid power began to noticeably decline. Abu Ja'far al Mansur was noted for establishing the Abbasid caliphate. Outside Iraq, all the autonomous provinces slowly became states with hereditary rulers, armies, and revenues. This is where we come to the Abbasids decline. The combination of these three generally stimulates intellectual activity. Finally, the Golden Age of Islam produced numerous astronomers, such as Al-Battani, who improved the measurement of the precession of the Earths axis. Direct link to Talha Ahmed's post Power struggles, successi, Posted 2 years ago. The Abbasid Dynasty is an adaptive civilization due to their ability to research unique upgrades at the House of Wisdom. Which period is called the golden age of Islam? They founded several institutions of learning, including the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, which was a center of intellectual activity. You c, Posted 3 years ago. The main technological achievement of the Abbasid Caliphate was the introduction of paper from China, which slowly spread to the rest of the Muslim world before reaching Europe in the 10th century. Economic decline: The Abbasid Caliphates economic power began to decline in the 10th century. endobj In Baghdad, colleges and observatories arose within its walls. The Abbasid Caliphate was a great patron of science. This central position allowed the new caliphate to attract merchants from China, the Frankish Lands, the Byzantine Empire, India, and Ethiopia. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved The Abbasid Empire flourished with achievements like new economic practices, literature, and mathematics. In 750 AD, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah, the leader of the Abbasid forces, defeated the Umayyads in the Battle of the Zab. Its 100% free. Where did the Abbasids get their technology from? In the year 750, the Abbasid Clan, led by Abu-Al-Abbass A-Saffah, aided by the Hashimiyya Movement and Shia Muslims, brutally overthrew the Umayyad Caliphate. 2023 FAIR. The city spawned colleges, observatories, and a host of incredible inventions that permeated throughout the world. What were some of the technological advancements during the Abbasid caliphate? Abbasid caliphate, second of the two great dynasties of the Muslim empire of the caliphate. For purposes of this article, the terms Abbasid Dynasty and Abbasid Caliphate will be used synonymously, as their histories are inseparable. Overview After the death of Muhammad, Arab leaders were called caliphs. What famous European ruler visited Baghdad in the Abbasid Caliphate in the early 9th century? Will you pass the quiz? It is said that at its peak, Baghdad counted more than 800 doctors. -helped fund cultural achievements. Baghdad was strategically located between Asia and Europe, which made it a prime spot on overland trade routes between the two continents. The Abbasid Caliphate was a major hub of trade and commerce. Arab ships were considered the top of navigation technology. How are you supposed to wear a travel pillow? (2020, August 26). C>^l'/%muh*):|?owV1PikReK;$[Q+s+=@;/2J/ B)"*Xn/)+7q:1?-/]#( ^\>VP;RA`e|),Id(Ev\I;(;( ;0Dsb[x=Y>- 2hYy3v>$ww|.>o"QGB8DS8-4((+_x' WMPd$h2:lc 5v*S 1`fW>yO ~z1+%E[!XGi@s IP) Among them, we count Abu Tammam, Abu Nawas, and Al-Mutanabbi. The second and first centuries B.C. Direct link to natbry01's post what made Baghdad center , Posted 2 years ago. The history of the spread of Islam spans about 1,400 years. During this time, the caliphate witnessed several ups and downs, and it went through numerous changes. It's a site that collects all the most frequently asked questions and answers, so you don't have to spend hours on searching anywhere else. News. Image credit: Caliphs like al-Rashid and al-Mamun directly encouraged a, Why were the Abbasids so interested in a massive translation undertaking? External invasions: The Crusaders and Mongols invaded the Middle East and weakened the Abbasid Caliphates power and influence. Your email address will not be published. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 775 CE: Beginning of the Abbasid Golden Age. of the users don't pass the Abbasid Dynasty quiz! The Abbasids changed this by building Baghdad at the center of the Silk Road. This move aimed to keep the Abbasids close to their Persian support base. Extraordinary achievements were made in architecture and arts in general. Tenth-century historian Yakut al-Hamawi, from, Abbasid Caliphs Harun al-Rashid and his son, al-Mamun, who followed him, established a. Art depicting Caliph Harun Al-Rashid receiving famous Carolingian ruler Charlemagne in Baghdad. They appealed to the Shia by claiming descent from Muhammad through his uncle Abbas. What is thought to influence the overproduction and pruning of synapses in the brain quizlet? He also made arrangements for succession to the caliphate, and every Abbasid caliph was directly descended from al Mansur. Who is Lil Boosie daughter?Iviona HatchToriana HatchLyric Beyonce HatchTarlaysia Hatch. True, the Islamic world is given due credit for its technological advancements, rich culture, and intriguing history of politics, but many still ignore the history behind these buzz words; the history of the Abbasid Dynasty. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? Schools of higher education and libraries were built throughout the empire. Christians, Jews, and other practices were also subjugated. What are four achievements of the Abbasid empire? Yet few had the power to make a real go at ruling. As early as the era of the Rashidun Caliphate, this rich network had been in the hands of the Muslims. Like America, algebra had always been there. ESTRj!K@d%1kkkG)`0{@oayFm2%u8Vr Q$!roNWs WM0+gb m^HJu/|3%"'*ueXu3$pTK-9QW$5Mud3rc3sqAZc/d?"]$#4@lvl7kS?jIA\ZkA`.AQZ.n9xHuNd = 7{hHoW8BAS"7 WA 756 - 788 The elder, Ibrahim, was arrested by the last Umayyad caliph and the family fled to Kufah, in Iraq. The power of the army officers had already weakened through internal rivalries when the Iranian Byids entered Baghdad in 945, demanding of al-Mustakf (944946) that they be recognized as the sole rulers of the territory they controlled. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Abbasid rulers kept their attention on these scholarly pursuits, eager to integrate discoveries into military expeditions and shows of courtly power. Damascus was the political, commercial, and cultural center of the Umayyad Dynasty. But Mamluks had first appeared in the Abbasid caliphate in the ninth century and even after their overthrow by the Ottomans they continued to form an important part of Egyptian Islamic society and existed as an influential group until the 19th century. Abbasid rule also saw the emergence of great intellectuals such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, and Ibn Sina, better known as Avicenna in the West. The Fatimid dynasty broke from the Abbasids in 909 CE and created separate lines of caliphs in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Palestine until 1171 CE. The project was launched by the second ruler of the Abbasid Caliphate, Al-Mansur. The Abbasid Dynasty immediately began expanding its authority, intending to draw support from every citizen within its widespread kingdom and from powers abroad. The spread of Abbasid technologies such as windmills and hand cranks and the influence of Abbasid technologies in astronomy and navigation defined the shape of the Early Modern Period and our modern world. endobj The cost of running a massive empire and maintaining a large bureaucracy required Support by pious Muslims likewise led the Abbasids to acknowledge publicly the embryonic Islamic law and to profess to base their rule on the religion of Islam. The first two centuries of the Abbasid Caliphate are regarded as the golden age of Islamic civilization. While the Abbasids themselves were descendants of the Arab clans of Mecca, their policies were careful to give importance to converts from other ethnicities and religious minorities. The Abbasid Caliphate's early territorial holdings largely represent the extent of the Umayyad Caliphate that came before it, except for the Umayyad's former control of the Iberian Peninsula in the west. What are the insecurities of a narcissist? Advancements in glassmaking, textile production, and natural power through windmills serve as practical technological advancements within the Abbasid Caliphate. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like where was the capital of the Abbasid dynasty?, what civilization influenced this empire greatly? who was Harun Al-Rashid?-ruled Abbasids . The Abbasid Dynasty is the ruling bloodline of the Abbasid Caliphate, a Medieval Islamic state that ruled North Africa and the Middle East from 750 CE to 1258 CE. Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Scholars at an Abbasid library. Importantly, non-Arab Muslims were fully welcomed into the Abbasid ummah (community), as opposed to the oppressively anti-non-Arab regime of the Umayyad Caliphate. How do I change my voicemail message on my? What are 3 accomplishments of the Abbasid Caliphate? Persian elites seized Baghdad and established control over the Abbasid claim to power and turned caliphs into figure heads What was the final cause of the decline of the Abbasid Empire (last straw) Mongols extinguished Islamic Control over the region and ended the reign of the Abbasid Caliphate In addition, Muslim engineers developed machines that allowed the mechanizing of certain aspects of agriculture. Al-Khawarizmis Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing is an important discourse on algebra. ]eTAdTlZ4w;g_^4%"XqK"8 The Abbasid Empire was a time of finding ways to make the Islam society better. <> Baghdad was a great commercial center. They knew that strict religious laws often sparked discontent and revolution. Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan. Ibn Al-Haytham, known in the West as Alhazen, contributed greatly to the field of optics. 6 0 obj Listed are some of these advances:Mathematics,Medicine,Chemistry,Optics,Astronomy,Architecture ,Paper making, and Irrigation. As its power grip began to fail and as its citizens began to see it weaken, many began to grumble against the dynastys rather secular ways. As-Saffah focused on putting down numerous rebellions in Syria and Mesopotamia. The greatest of the sins described as al-Kabair is the association of others with Allah or Shirk.Some of the major or al-Kabair sins in Islam are as follows: The Abbasid Caliphate was in power during Islams golden age. The invasion of the Mongols, who sack Baghdad. The Abbasid Caliphs were known for their religious tolerance. Direct link to lanker's post What made Baghdad such a , Posted 4 years ago. The promotion of inclusivity contributed greatly to internal peace and stability. By registering you get free access to our website and app (available on desktop AND mobile) which will help you to super-charge your learning process. During the reign of Caliph Al-Mansur in the 8th century, a great library was constructed in the middle of Baghdad. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Great advances were made in many areas of science, mathematics, and medicine. Caliphs built and established Baghdad as the hub of the Abbasid Caliphate. What are 2 Major achievements of the Abbasid empire? -Descendant of caliph Abu Bakr overthrew the last Umayyad ruler and started a new dynasty (Abu al-abbas) -Parts of the umayyad empire began to break away. Twit. The Abbasid Dynasty from 750 to 1258intensified and solidified these cultural changes. Baghdad was centrally located between Europe and Asia and was an important area for trade and exchanges of ideas. The five centuries of Abbasid rule were the time when great works of fiction such as One Thousand and One Nights (also known in English as Arabian Nights). Direct link to David Alexander's post Like America, algebra had, Posted 4 years ago. It was in this spirit that the capital was moved from Damascus in Syria to Baghdad in Iraq in 762. In Egypt, North Africa, Spain, and elsewhere, local dynasties claimed caliphal status. Despite some ethnic conflict, such as the 1066 massacre of Spanish Jews, the Arab world promoted both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars who made significant achievements in art and literature,. Why did the Abbasid Dynasty encourage, but not force, non-Muslims to convert to Islam? Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. Jews, Christians, and other practitioners of non-Islamic religions were not heavily subjugated or exiled, but they still paid exclusive taxes and did not possess the full rights of Islamic Arab men. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. What were the 2 main problems why the Abbasid dynasty failed? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/abu-jafar-al-mansur-1789197. After destroying the collection of the Library of Baghdad by tossing thousands of books into the nearby Tigris River, people reportedly saw the river turn black with ink. This was a golden age within the golden age, as the rule of the Abbasid Dynasty (8th to 13th century) is widely regarded as the Islamic Golden Age. This marked the end of the Abbasid Dynasty. Converting enemies with Abbasid Dynasty requires building the house of wisdom, and then building the culture wing from within the house of wisdom. How did the Abbasid Dynasty start? This led to a great cultural exchange, and Islamic scholars made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge, including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. Our content is available to thousands of readers across multiple platforms. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Al Mansur established his capital at Baghdad, which he named the City of Peace. The Abbasid Caliphs were patrons of several scientists that contributed greatly to technology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. Some of the notable achievements of include: The Abbasid Caliphs founded the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, which was a center of intellectual activity. Byzantine holdings in Italy and North Africa were put under attack; even the Byzantine capital of Constantinople was besieged by land and sea several times. The following timeline provides a brief progression of historical events regarding the Abbasid Dynasty: 632 CE: Death of Muhammed, Prophet, and founder of the Islamic faith. 02 Nov 2021 14 Nov 2021. The capital was moved to the new city of Baghdad, and events in Persia and Transoxania were closely watched. The political power of the Abbasids largely ended with the rise of the Buyids and the Seljuq Turks in 1258 CE. <> One such project was the construction of the new capital of the Caliphate: Baghdad. The caliphs of this era were great patrons of science, art, and literature. The Abbasids built Baghdad from scratch while maintaining the network of roads and trade routes the Persians had established before the Umayyad Dynasty took over. Direct link to David Alexander's post The Caliph was in Baghdad, Posted 3 years ago. During the Abbasid empire Baghdad became the intellectual hub and so called center of the word. Abbasid had been content with inherited empire while Umayyads were aggressive and espoused expansion militarily. The Abbasid Caliphate was a major dynasty that ruled over the Islamic Empire during its peak. He put down several revolts, eliminated most of the members of the movement that brought the Abbasids to power, and even had the man who helped him become caliph, Abu Muslim, killed. What were the achievements of the Abbasid Dynasty? . Money was concentrated there. It is said that Baghdad was the first round city of its kind in the Middle East. AoE4 sees the addition of the Abbasid Dynasty to the franchise, with this build order guide you can maximize their economic wing. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Why was Baghdad important to the Abbasid Empire? The remnants of the Umayyad Dynasty took refuge in Al-Andalus in modern-day Spain. Thus, Baghdad became a major trade center that attracted merchants from as far as Western Europe, China, and the African Horn. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. /Outlines 51 0 R This major influx of trade brought in large tax revenue, which contributed greatly to numerous public works and the development of a strong regular army, which allowed the Abbasid Caliphate to defend the heart of the Silk Road. The Abbasid Caliphate, also known as the third of the Islamic caliphates, was a significant Islamic state that ruled from 750 to 1258 AD. To get a sense of what living in the newly constructed city was like, heres an excerpt from the writings of Arab historian and biographer, Yakut al-Hamawi, describing Baghdad in the tenth century: The city of Baghdad formed two vast semi-circles on the right and left banks of the Tigris, twelve miles in diameter. The Abbasid Caliphate becomes a center of learning from the 9th to the 13th centuries, collecting the knowledge of India, China and ancient Greece while also making significant new contributions to mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, medicine and geography.