1. Chapter 6

2. 4 developments define postclassical centuries
Islamic civilization spread politically and culturally into Asia, Europe and Africa
Civilizations expanded into new world regions
The great world religions gained acceptance from peoples who once following local belief structures
The creation of a world network linking many of the individual civilizations

3. World Network develops
This is the most important characteristic of the Post-Classical World
Trade and Military
Disease
We are not including America, Polynesia and Australia YET

4. The decline of Classical Era
The rise of ISLAM
Post-Classical Era
The decline of Classical Era

5. Islam
The rise of Islam is one of the things that marks the end of the Classical and Beginning of the Post-Classical Era
The decline of the Islamic empire marks the end of the Post-Classical Era
New empires develop = Asia, Africa and Europe

6. Pre-Islam Arabian Peninsula—not a great place to live
Desert
Oasis communities
Bedouin societies develop
Hunter/Gatherer type society
Merchants because they were traveling from civilization to civilization
Towns were set up for trade

7. Life as a Bedouin Kinship = Clan
Tribe = Many clans come together during war
Loyalty = survival
Shaykhs = Leaders
Rivalry over water and land between the clans
Made this type of society very weak

8. Women in Bedouin society
Played a key role in the clan’s economy
Matrilineal: family line is followed through the women’s family
Ne veils
Both men and women were allowed to have multiple spouses

9. Important cities
Mecca
Medina

10. Mecca Established by the Umayyad Clan Ka’ba: Bedouin religious shrine
Polytheistic/Animism
Started with nothing to do with Islam
Allah was the creator-god. We don’t know if he was really seen as a supreme deity

11. Medina Agricultural and commercial area
Fighting occurred often between the groups in the area
Arab vs. Jewish

12. Muhammad Born c. 570 CE He belonged to the Banu Hasin Clan
Quraysh Tribe
Merchant in Mecca
Married Khadijah (a widow)
Wanted to bring unity to the tribes
He saw how destructive the fighting was
Monotheism was seen as a way to unite people

13. The Prophet 610 CE he went to meditate and was visited by Gabriel
As he grew in influence so did the potential for him to be a threat to the status quo
Islam offers something new to the Arabian People

14. What does Islam offer Umma: “community of the faithful”
5 pillars
Replaces old hate with new unity and a moral system
Equality under Allah (all believers)
Accepts components of both Christianity and Judaism

15. After the death a Muhammad
Muhammad dies in 632 CE
No successor or rules on who would succeed him
He dies young
The Unity he created starts to falters with his death
Power Grab
Umayyad took control
Start to spread Islam

16. Line of succession Calph Abu Bakr (Ummayad Clan) Umar assassinated
Uthman (Umayyad) Murdered
Then the issues really start

17. Uthman Killed Medina Muslims chose Ali Umayyad refuse to recognize him
War Ali appears weak and is assassinate
Ma’awiya of the Umayyad tribe “Chosen” Becomes the First Calphate
Shi’i: successor should
Be from the Prophet’s
Family. follow Ali
Sunni: people should
Choose the successor
follow Umayyad

18. Umayyad Empire Conversion not a priority Grew Larger
732 Battle of Tours
Islam's advancement into Europe stopped by the Franks
Were able to gain power in Spain and Portugal
Damascus (Syria) became the capitol
Muslim Arab Elite
Strong Military and bureaucracy
Ended when the Abbasid Clan defeated the Umayyad

19. Abbasid Caliphate
Used the Shi’ite to win but turned against them and supported the Sunni
More bureaucracy to keep big empire together
Baghdad capitol
Urban prosperity grew

22. Dhimmis People of the book Malawi: Converts
Jews, Christians, Zoroastrianism, Hindus
Keep their religion
Had to pay higher taxes
Malawi: Converts

23. Changes for women with the Quran
No adultery for either spouse
One husband
4 wives if they could be cared for
No infanticide
Both sexes equal before Allah