🏰World History – Before 1500 Unit 10 – Empires of Faith

Key Empires and Their Foundations

• Byzantine Empire emerged as the eastern half of the Roman Empire after its division in 395 CE
  • Centered around the city of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)
  • Preserved many aspects of Greco-Roman culture and Christianity
• Sasanian Empire rose to power in Persia during the 3rd century CE
  • Zoroastrianism served as the official state religion
  • Rivaled the Byzantine Empire for control of the Near East
• Islamic Caliphates established following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE
  • Rashidun Caliphate (632-661 CE) expanded rapidly through military conquests
  • Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE) continued expansion and established a centralized government
  • Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE) shifted the capital to Baghdad and fostered a golden age of Islamic culture
• Mongol Empire founded by Genghis Khan in the early 13th century
  • Unified nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia
  • Largest contiguous land empire in history at its peak

Religious Beliefs and Practices

• Byzantine Empire predominantly Christian
  • Orthodox Christianity developed distinct traditions and practices from Western Christianity
  • Iconoclasm controversy (726-843 CE) debated the use of religious images
• Sasanian Empire officially Zoroastrian
  • Dualistic religion emphasizing the struggle between good and evil
  • Fire temples served as places of worship
  • Influenced later Islamic beliefs and practices
• Islamic Caliphates united by the religion of Islam
  • Monotheistic faith based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad
  • Five Pillars of Islam: shahada (declaration of faith), salah (prayer), zakat (almsgiving), sawm (fasting), and hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
  • Quran and Hadith serve as primary sources of Islamic law and guidance
• Mongol Empire initially practiced traditional Mongolian shamanism
  • Incorporated elements of Tengrism (worship of the sky god Tengri)
  • Later Mongol rulers adopted religions of conquered peoples (Islam, Buddhism, Christianity)

Political Structures and Governance

• Byzantine Empire maintained a complex bureaucracy and hierarchical structure
  • Emperor held supreme authority as both political ruler and head of the church
  • Theme system divided empire into administrative and military districts
• Sasanian Empire had a centralized government led by the Shahanshah (King of Kings)
  • Hereditary monarchy supported by a strong aristocracy
  • Zoroastrian clergy held significant influence in political affairs
• Islamic Caliphates developed a system of governance based on Islamic principles
  • Caliph served as both political and religious leader
  • Sharia law, derived from the Quran and Hadith, guided legal and social matters
  • Dynastic succession led to the rise of different caliphates (Umayyad, Abbasid)
• Mongol Empire organized into a system of khanates
  • Great Khan held supreme authority over the empire
  • Decimal system divided military into units of 10, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 soldiers
  • Rulers often adopted the administrative practices of conquered regions

Cultural and Artistic Expressions

• Byzantine art and architecture blended Greco-Roman and Christian influences
  • Hagia Sophia in Constantinople exemplifies Byzantine architectural style
  • Mosaics and frescoes depicted religious scenes and figures
• Sasanian art featured intricate rock reliefs and metalwork
  • Reliefs at Naqsh-e Rustam depict Sasanian kings and religious scenes
  • Sasanian silver plates showcase detailed hunting and banquet scenes
• Islamic art developed unique styles and motifs
  • Calligraphy and geometric patterns used to decorate religious texts and buildings
  • Illuminated manuscripts (e.g., the Blue Qur'an) demonstrate the importance of the written word
  • Islamic architecture featured domes, minarets, and intricate tilework (e.g., the Great Mosque of Samarra)
• Mongol art and culture reflected the empire's nomadic roots and cultural exchanges
  • Portable art, such as gold and silver objects, was highly valued
  • Mongol rulers patronized artists and craftsmen from conquered regions
  • Cultural fusion evident in the art and architecture of the Ilkhanate period in Persia

Expansion and Conquest Strategies

• Byzantine Empire relied on a combination of diplomacy and military force
  • Justinian I's reconquests in the 6th century CE expanded the empire's territories
  • Use of diplomacy and tribute to maintain relations with neighboring powers
• Sasanian Empire engaged in frequent wars with the Byzantine Empire
  • Military campaigns focused on controlling the Silk Roads and key cities (e.g., Antioch)
  • Use of heavy cavalry (cataphracts) and siege warfare
• Islamic Caliphates expanded through a series of rapid military conquests
  • Early conquests driven by religious zeal and desire to spread Islam
  • Umayyad Caliphate conquered territories in North Africa, Iberia, and Central Asia
  • Abbasid Caliphate focused on consolidating power and defending borders
• Mongol Empire's expansion fueled by skilled horsemanship and military tactics
  • Use of cavalry archers and siege engines
  • Genghis Khan and his successors led campaigns across Eurasia
  • Conquest of China, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East and Eastern Europe

Interactions Between Empires

• Byzantine and Sasanian Empires engaged in long-standing rivalry
  • Frequent wars over territorial control and religious differences
  • Cultural and artistic exchanges, particularly during periods of peace
• Islamic Caliphates interacted with the Byzantine Empire and other powers
  • Umayyad Caliphate conquered Byzantine territories in the Levant and North Africa
  • Abbasid Caliphate maintained diplomatic and trade relations with the Byzantine Empire
  • Cultural and intellectual exchanges, particularly during the Islamic Golden Age
• Mongol Empire's interactions shaped by conquest and diplomacy
  • Mongol invasions of the Islamic world (Seljuk Sultanate, Abbasid Caliphate)
  • Ilkhanate's complex relationship with the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt
  • Diplomatic exchanges with European powers, such as the Papal States

Legacy and Long-term Impact

• Byzantine Empire preserved and transmitted Greco-Roman culture
  • Influence on the development of Eastern Orthodox Christianity
  • Byzantine art and architecture inspired later styles (e.g., Ottoman architecture)
• Sasanian Empire's cultural and artistic legacy
  • Influence on Islamic art and architecture
  • Zoroastrian ideas and practices persisted in later Persian culture
• Islamic Caliphates' contributions to art, science, and philosophy
  • Islamic Golden Age fostered advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine
  • Spread of Islamic culture and religion across vast territories
  • Islamic art and architecture continue to inspire and influence global cultures
• Mongol Empire's role in facilitating cultural exchange
  • Pax Mongolica enabled trade and cultural transmission along the Silk Roads
  • Mongol rule in China (Yuan Dynasty) and Persia (Ilkhanate) led to cultural fusion
  • Mongol conquests had long-lasting demographic and political consequences

Challenges and Decline

• Byzantine Empire faced internal and external challenges
  • Iconoclasm controversy divided the empire in the 8th and 9th centuries
  • Arab conquests in the 7th century led to significant territorial losses
  • Fourth Crusade (1204) and the sack of Constantinople weakened the empire
• Sasanian Empire's decline and fall
  • Wars with the Byzantine Empire and nomadic invasions strained resources
  • Islamic conquests in the 7th century led to the empire's collapse
• Islamic Caliphates experienced political fragmentation and decline
  • Umayyad Caliphate overthrown by the Abbasid Revolution in 750 CE
  • Abbasid Caliphate weakened by regional dynasties and internal conflicts
  • Mongol invasions in the 13th century contributed to the fall of the Abbasid Caliphate
• Mongol Empire's fragmentation and decline
  • Succession disputes and political rivalries divided the empire
  • Ilkhanate and Golden Horde faced challenges from neighboring powers
  • Black Death pandemic in the 14th century had devastating consequences