1. The Safavids Revenge of the Shiites

2. Its Birth in Persia Shiites led revolt in Persia (Present day Iran and parts of Iraq) Shiites led revolt in Persia (Present day Iran and parts of Iraq) Shiite = Leader must be from Mohammed Shah Ismail seized power in 1501 Shah Ismail seized power in 1501

3. A Bloody Challenge to the Ottomans 1508- Shah Ismail seized Baghdad and killed all of the Sunnis 1508- Shah Ismail seized Baghdad and killed all of the Sunnis

4. Stemming the Tide Stemming the Tide Battle of Tabriz – Ottomans under Selim I stop the Safavid Invasion. Battle of Tabriz – Ottomans under Selim I stop the Safavid Invasion. Ottoman Empire Safe Ottoman Empire Safe Shah declares self ruler of all Islam… Shah declares self ruler of all Islam…

6. Shah Abbas (from the 1580’s) Lost land to vengeful Ottomans Lost land to vengeful Ottomans Moved capital to Isfahan and invested wealth in the empire Moved capital to Isfahan and invested wealth in the empire Height of Safavid Culture in this time

7. Politics of Abbas Used Janissary- type tactics with Government Offices to kill corruption Used Janissary- type tactics with Government Offices to kill corruption Allied with Christian Europe to oppose spread of Sunni Ottomans (pragmatic, not religious) Allied with Christian Europe to oppose spread of Sunni Ottomans (pragmatic, not religious)

8. Society and Culture of the Safavids Shahs in touch with the people, not removed like Sultans Shahs in touch with the people, not removed like Sultans Roads well policed to enhance trade Roads well policed to enhance trade Silks carpets highly prized Silks carpets highly prized

9. Persian Architecture Persian Architecture

10. End of the Safavids Shah Hussein’s Empire was attacked by Afghan horsemen Shah Hussein’s Empire was attacked by Afghan horsemen Afghan tribes move empire to Azerbaijan (North of Iran on Caspian Sea)