Name 2 reasons for support of the Abbasids

1. Shi'i belief that the Abbasids want to help them gain some legitimacy and authority. Shi'is help give the revolution power & structure.
2. Mawali: Non-Arab converts (clients) are upset w/their unequal status. Arabs allow them into tribes but they maintain a lower status.

Name 4 instances of Persian influence

1. Barmakids: Because of their administration, people begin to write in Persian at the end of the 900's
2. Shu'ubi  (elaborate)
3. Sassanid capitol=Persian style, round & well planned; under Persians represented universe. Two walls isolate Caliph from commoners; air of mysticism borrowed from Persians (view king as divine)
4. Administrative style is Persian influenced (Barmakids)

What are the practices of Sufis?

To reach annihilation they practice rituals that create ecstatic episodes that open brain to contact w/G-d. Food in stomach can stop this connection.

Practice:

• Asceticism: deprive themselves of sleep, food etc
• Dhikr: recitation of G-d's name. Combo of prayer & breathing exercises

What were the Repercussions of Sufism?

• Initially, Sufism was individual, teachers could only give small amount of insight; very personal 
  • Lead to a less social religion; don't explain what they are/doing. Most tolerant sect: no discussion, accept all
• Defined religion as experience. Little interest in intellectual aspect, sometimes mock those who do.
  • Islamic law is product of intellectual debate. This leads to open resistance of Islamic law.

What was the Sufi "debate"?

Mohammed believed there should be no professionals in religion, thus there are no monks, etc in Islam.

Sufis agree that is true for ordinary people but Mohammed knew that some (Sufis) could rise above that interpretation.

What was the Sufi "threat"?

1. Many political leaders felt threatened b/c Sufis didn't follow laws & didn't care about punishments (only helped eliminate Nafs). 
2. Master/disciple relationships create loyalties beyond the king.
3. Mocked theologians.

Why were there conflicts between the Crusaders and eastern Christians?

• While traveling to Holy Land, Crusaders took what they needed whether in enemy or friendly lands.
• Created tensions with Byzantines: Crusaders felt that as fellow Christians they should offer w/e was needed. Tensions highest in 1204 (why?)

What happened in the aftermath of the Abbasid Revolution?

1. Abbasids gather and kill all Umayyads to eliminate rebellion/entire succession line. Even dug up graves
2. Got rid of all Shi'is not part of Abbasid family (kill, jail, enslave). Hints at legitimacy of Shi'is
3. Within a few years other groups are prevented from gaining access to power.

Describe the Breakdown of the Abbasid Caliphate

• After the 9th C, tendency to create states increases, pace picks up in the 10th century.
• 800's: Start having trouble controlling marginal regions; regional rulers begin to take power. Regions become more autonomous, begin to make decisions w/little attention/allegiance to Caliph. Varied.
• Groups: Aghlubids. Saffarids. Tulunids. Zanj. Qarmatians. Fatamids. Hamadnids. Buyid. 

Describe the Yearly Raids

Until about 945, Muslims shared a border w/Byzantines. 

Muslims raid yearly b/c:

   1. Keep Byzantine on defense, can't attack

   2. Provides plunder/wealth

   3. Keeps army disciplined/reliable (vs. garrison cities)

   4. Allowed Jihadic mentality; Caliph can say he is fighting non-Muslims

Describe the Rise of Slave Soldiers

• Initially, all military were Arab Muslims (or say Muslim)
• End of Umayyad (Marwan II, 750s) Caliph can't rely on Syrian troops. Hired troops (mercenaries are a new concept to Islam). These troops (mostly Arab) defeated by Abbasids based in Khurusan.
• Early 800's: Ma'mun & al'Amin fight for Caliph (both use mercenaries; bribe others troops). Destroys trust in troops.
• 833-842: Al-Mu'tasim uses slave soldiers. Slaves have no allegiance, existed before Islam; some have military training. Turks are preferred (not yet Muslim, great horsemen, eventually develop loyalty)

What were some problems with slave soldiers?

System was created in which slave soldiers could rise thru ranks. These leaders knew system best, would develop loyalty to former slaves above them.

Caliph would buy more soldiers to counteract this effect. 

Over time this allowed slave soldiers to manipulate the system to gain concessions & power for themselves.

Late 8th/early 9th C: First Sufis appear

.

900-1100: Masters begin to appear, refine Sufi thought. More masters = more followers. Hermetic lifestyle is standard. Masters reluctant to accept followers, pray in mtns. People start groups, become base for Sufi Orders.

.

12/13th C: Masters & Dervishes fuse, M become more like D. M/student relationship becomes formal; tasks given to reach annihilation. Symbolism/intellectual ideas begin to develop. Sufis more like monastic orders.

How were Christians treated prior to the Crusades?

After Muslim conquest of Jerusalem restrictions were placed on Christians but later relaxed.

Just prior to the Crusades these restrictions were increased.

Brief Early History of the Crusades

Christian kings take portion of Spain(1085) & Sicily (1091)

1095: Pope calls for first Crusade

1092: Malik Shah & Nizam al-Mulk die w/in weeks; creates disarray in Muslim world (succession struggle fractured unity). Syria: each city ruled by leader claiming authority from Seljuks (really for themselves)

-Islamic city states won't unite, would infringe on individual rights. Can't organize strong resistance to Crusaders. Crusaders expect allies (Coptics, Armenians)

Describe the relationship between Eastern Christians and Crusaders

Byzantines: annoyed by resources consumed & b/c of Crusader kingdoms set up across Syria (thought Crusaders would give land to Byz)

Coptic Christians/Armenians: Crusaders expect to find them as allies in the Fatimid empire. In reality, don't always ally; often stuck btwn the two sides (cultural vs religious).

Since they aren't very useful, they are often harmed by both sides.

First Crusade

1. Year?
2. Why participate?
3. How do they get there?
4. What happens w/Jerusalem?

1. Called by Pope Urban II 1095
2. Pope promised forgiveness to anyone who goes
3. March thru Balkans, cross river to Constantinople to arrive in Nicea. Besiege city for a few weeks; allows them to march straight thru to Anatolia. Conquer cities across Syria and finally Jerusalem.
4. Conquer Jerusalem in 1098. Kick out Jews/Muslims. Increases importance of city among Muslims.

First Crusade

What happened with Syria?

Crusaders come across local rulers & conquer one city after another. Byzantines thought land would be given back to their Empire but instead Crusaders begin to set up their own kingdoms (creates tension).

.

City states are created & ruled in Western style. Crusaders' kids culturally closer to Muslims; differentiate themselves from Euro born. This fragments religious unity, independent states create alliances w/both Christians & Muslims against other Muslim states.

First Crusade

How did the Muslims expel the Christians?

Muslim push begins with Zengi.

1127-1128: Take Mosul & Aleppo

1144: Take Edessa

1146: Zengi dies. Nur al-Din rises to prominence.

1187: After this point Crusades are weak, less effective

Describe the 4th Crusade

• Crusade lasts from 1202-1204. 
• Pope calls Crusade, asks Venetians to transport to ME. Venetians guaranteed trade monopolies.
• Less soldiers/$ than expected, Venetians will only continue if Crusaders pay debt by raiding Constantinople (grudge/competition)
• 1203-1204: Sack Constantinople. Ancient Greek texts destroyed. Latin ruler installed, Byz Emperor flees to Nicea.
• Explains dichotomy btwn Catholics/Greek Orthodox

Describe the life of al-Ghazali after 1095

1095: Was brightest teacher at Nizamiyyah; suffers from extreme/incurable stress. Sets up fund to support family, plans a pilgrimmage to Mecca & disappears.

Missing for 11 years (covered in auto). Became wandering Dervish (Damascus, Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina, Tus). Looked at scholarly past as worthless; modesty/self-discipline is path to G-d (but doesn't say ignore Shariah)

*Makes reconciliation btwn Sufi/mainstream easier*

1106: Returns to teaching/writing in Kus (lower position)

Describe the events following Harun Rashid's death

• Had 2 sons: Al-Amin (Arab mom) & Ma'mun (Persian mom)
• Fought for control of Abbasid Empire (Arab v Persian)
• After defeating Al-Amin, Ma'mun named Rida his successor (empty gesture).

Why couldn't the Qarmatian Revolution initially be stopped?

• Qarmatians = most powerful force in Persian Gulf/ME
• Collected tribute from caliph in Baghdad 
• Also collected tribute from rival Ismaili imam (Twelver) in Cairo, whom they didn't recognize

Describe Zengi's siege in 1134

-Invited by Emir of Damascus to rule city(otherthrow was imminent)

-Emir murdered by mom to prevent exchange of rule

-Not discouraged, arrived in Da ready to seize it.

-Sieged city w/no success, truce made

Describe Zengi's Conflict with the Crusaders/Byzantines

1137: Damascus & Crusaders ally in response to his attacks

-Zengi sieged Crusader fortress, crushed army. King of Jerusalem surrenders, flees. 

1138: Byz/Crusaders siege Zengi, but repelled in a month

1139: Marched on Damascus. City unites w/Jeru to repel

1144: Sieged crusader held Edessa (weakest Latin state)

*Capture of Edesa leads to 2nd Crusade & is noted as the start of jihad against Crusader states*

When did the great Seljuks rule?

Seljuks of Anatolia?

Great Seljuks: 1055-1137

Seljuks of Anatolia: 1071-1277