2. Why is this study
important?
⢠6th Century Islam expanded from Persia and
Arabia (Modern day Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq,
Oman, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Israel, Pakistan,
Afghanistan)
⢠Islam is a powerful and misunderstood culture
⢠Islam brought modern mail service, banking,
astronomy, navigation, medicine, math, and
literature across Africa and Europe.
3. Pre-Islamic Influence of
Persia
1000 BC-642 AD
⢠Nomadic people
⢠Zoroaster ď founder of Persian religion (Zoroastrianism)
⢠Military Power ď Cyrus the Great (showed mercy, an example of
Zoroastrianism influence)
⢠Cambyses IIď expanded Persia
⢠Darius Iď introduced roads, coinage, and weights to promote trade
⢠490 BC Greeksď Battle of Marathon
⢠331 BCď Alexander the Great
⢠224 BCď Persia regains power
⢠651 ADď Arabs defeat Persia ď Islam is introduced
4.
5. Spread of Islam
⢠Persians: Established major center of Islamic
learning: Famous Poets ď Ferdowsi, Omar
Khayyam, Rumi, Sadi
⢠Arabs: Nomadic people (camel herders),
spread Islam all the way to Spain
⢠Mecca established
⢠Persian Culture looses influence
6. Arabic Traditions: After
570 AD
⢠Abraham
⢠Desert nomads ď farmers and traders
⢠Oases
⢠Prophet Muhammad: Angel Gabriel
⢠Islam: âsubmission to Allahâs willâ
⢠640 ADď Allegiance
⢠Caliphs
⢠Abbasid Dynasty: 762-1258 (Baghdad)
7. Persia and the Islamic
Empire
⢠The Samanidsď Islamic renaissance ď Bukhara
8. The People of Islam
⢠Nomadsď Bedouins ď warriors
⢠Rulersď break of theocracy ď emits, Sultans, Shahs
⢠Lower class ď taxed for not being Muslim, no slavery
⢠Merchants/traders ď bazaars
⢠Educated ď House of Wisdom (Caliph al Maâmum
⢠Mystics ď dervishes or fakirs (Sufism)
⢠Women ď their rights improved (equals in the eyes of
Allah)