THE GOLDEN AGE

BEGINNING OF THE ABBASIDS

• Founded by Abu al-Abbas
• Relied on Persian techniques of statecraft
• Central authority came from the court at Baghdad
• Established bureaucratic ministries in charge of taxation, finance, coinage and postal services
• Ulama and qadis set moral standards in local communities.

DIFFERENCES FROM UMAYYADS

• They didn't prefer Arab military aristocracy.
• They didn't do much conquering.
• They were more cosmopolitan
• They made Baghdad the capital.

HOW THE ABBASIDS ARE GREAT

• Good networks for communication
• Spread Islamic religious values
• Baghdad became the center and was very wealthy
• The high point was during Harun al-Rashid's reign

HOW THE ABBASIDS ARE GREAT

• Used Persia as inspiration for central government
• Their officials settled issues and set moral standards

DECLINE

• The sons of Harun had a civil war for the throne
• Loss of political power in their capital, Baghdad
• Governors didn't send supplies to the capital
• Turkish Armies and Rise of The Mongols
• Religious Issues: Shia and the Sunni