Abbasid Research Paper

The Abbasid period played a pivotal role in the history of the Middle East, the Islamic world and beyond. An influence so great that historians have identified that period as a shining time in Islamic history. “During the first two centuries of Abbasid rule, the Muslim world became the seat of great cultural activity.” (IW- p.85) In order to better understand how the Abbasid period played a pivotal role in Middle East history, and beyond, one needs to explore how this dynasty came into power and the dynamics behind its spread that continue to have an impact on modern society.

According to our lectures and readings, Pre-Islamic Arabia was interested in becoming an empire. “The Near East in the sixth century was divided between two great empires, the Byzantine or Later Roman Empire in the west and the Sasanian Empire in the east,” (Donner) Both the Sasanian Empire (220-637 C.E.) and the Byzantine Empire (324 or 395-1453 C.E) had a foothold in parts of the Middle East. Even before these great empires, there were many other Dynasty’s that played a role in the Middle East. They include the Achaemenid Dynasty, (558-330 BCE, the Conquest of Alexander the Great (334-330 BCE), Seleucids (305-125 BCE),

The Abbasid Absolutism started in 762 by establishing the capital in Baghdad. “The mihna, or inquisition, instituted by the Abbasid caliphs between 833 and 848—which revolved around a theological doctrine known as Mutazilism and focused on the question of whether the Quran text was created or eternal—was in part an effort by the caliphs to enforce their claims to legal absolutism.” (Donner). They courted Sunni Islam and suppressed religious minorities. In 809-819, the Fourth Fitna was the beginning of the weakening of the Abbasid Dynasty. The Fitna took place in Iran, where there was a revolt. In 945, the Buyids, who are Shiites, took control of