1. Cultural Blending in the Middle East Each time a culture interacts with one another, it is exposed to different ideas, technologies, foods, and ways of life Causes of cultural blending Migration Pursuit of religious freedom or conversion Trade conquest

2. Cultural Blending in the Middle East Results of Cultural Blending Language Characters of one written language will show up in another such as Chinese characters used in the Japanese language Religion Buddhism spread throughout Asia; however, Buddhism practiced in Tibet differs from Japanese Zen Buddhism Styles of Government democratic governments are practiced, with small differences, in countries all over the world Racial Blending the mestizo, people of mixed European and Indian ancestry in Mexico Arts and Architecture Romans borrowed architectural techniques from the Greeks

3. Cultural Blending in the Middle East Safavid Empire was a Shiite Muslim dynasty that ruled in Persia between the 16th and 18th centuries. This culturally diverse empire drew from the traditions of Persians, Ottomans, and Arabs.

4. Conquest and ongoing cultural interaction fueled the development of the Safavid Empire The Safavid military became a force to be reckoned with in order to protect themselves from their geographical neighbors In 1499 the Safavid Empire seized most of what is now Iran The Safavid Empire

5. Military defeat to the Ottomans in 1514 resulted in the establishment of the border between the two empires -the adoption of the Ottomans military practices by the Safavid Empire. -use of artillery The Safavid Empire

6. A Safavid Gold Age Shah Abbas takes the throne in 1587 Creates 2 militaries - one was an army of Persians - the other was made of recruits from the Christian north and modeled after the Ottoman janissaries Brought members of Christian religious orders into the empire - European merchants moved into the land - trade with Europe grows Brought hundreds of Chinese artisans to his new capital of Esfahan - Worked with Safavid artists to produce intricate artwork, pottery, tapestry Carpets- Persian Rugs