Muslim Empires

Question

Project: Time Lines of the Expansion of Muslim Empires
during the rise of Muslim empires and at least one other civilization.
You will create a time line that shows key dates and events from the expansion of Muslim empires,
including events that took place during the growth of the following empires:
 Early Muslim caliphates, including the Rashidun caliphate started by Abū Bakr, the Umayyad
dynasty, and the Abbasid dynasty
 The Ottoman Empire
 The Safavid Empire
 The Mughal Empire
You will also create a second time line showing events that took place during the growth of another
civilization between 600 CE and 1500 CE. You may choose which civilization to research and highlight.
Examples include:
 China, including the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties
 The Byzantine Empire
 The Mongol Empire
Background Information
Following the death of Muhammad, early caliphs expanded Muslim empires throughout the Arabian
Peninsula and into the Middle East. The Umayyad dynasty extended Muslim empires west to Spain and
east into Persia. The Abbasid dynasty continued to rule much of this same territory for another five
hundred years.
After the fall of the Abbasid dynasty, the Ottoman Empire rose in Anatolia. As the Ottoman Empire
expanded, two other Muslim empires were formed in Persia and India: the Safavid and Mughal Empires.
These three empires existed in parallel for two hundred years, until the Safavid and Mughal Empires
ended.
During this same era in world history, several other civilizations continued to expand and develop. For
example, several Chinese dynasties controlled territory in East Asia. The Byzantine Empire persisted in
the eastern Mediterranean region from the 4th century CE until the 15th century CE. Also, in the 13th
century CE, the Mongol Empire rapidly spread across Asia and influenced Europe and the Middle East.
Historians use time lines to track the order of key events in different time periods. Time lines also create
opportunities to compare and contrast events that took place in different regions. Focus your time lines on
one topic, such as rulers or politics. This assignment will help you practice your historical thinking skills. It
will also give you an opportunity to review key information from different historical eras.

Answer 1

Creating two timelines, one for the expansion of Muslim empires and another for the growth of another civilization (in this case, the Byzantine Empire), provides an engaging way to compare historical events and understand their contexts. Below are the key dates and events for both timelines.

Timeline of the Expansion of Muslim Empires (600 CE - 1500 CE)

Rashidun Caliphate (632 - 661 CE)

• 632 CE: Death of Muhammad; Abū Bakr becomes the first caliph.
• 634 CE: Umar ibn al-Khattab becomes the second caliph; the Muslim empire expands into the Levant, Egypt, and Persia.
• 644 CE: Uthman ibn Affan becomes the third caliph; compilation of the Quran.
• 656 CE: Ali ibn Abi Talib becomes the fourth caliph; First Fitna (civil war) begins.
• 661 CE: Ali is assassinated; end of the Rashidun Caliphate.

Umayyad Dynasty (661 - 750 CE)

• 661 CE: Muawiya I establishes the Umayyad dynasty; capital moved to Damascus.
• 711 CE: Muslim forces invade the Iberian Peninsula (Spain).
• 732 CE: Battle of Tours in France; Muslim expansion into Europe halted.
• 750 CE: Abbasid Revolution leads to the fall of the Umayyad dynasty.

Abbasid Dynasty (750 - 1258 CE)

• 762 CE: Foundation of Baghdad; becomes a major center of learning and culture.
• 786 - 809 CE: Reign of Harun al-Rashid; peak of the Golden Age of Islam.
• 907 CE: Decline of central Abbasid power; regional powers begin to rise.
• 1258 CE: Sack of Baghdad by the Mongols; end of the Abbasid political dominance.

Ottoman Empire (1299 - 1922 CE)

• 1299 CE: Establishment of the Ottoman Empire by Osman I.
• 1453 CE: Conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed II; end of the Byzantine Empire.
• 1517 CE: Ottomans conquer Egypt; the caliphate is claimed by the Ottomans.
• 1683 CE: Battle of Vienna; first major defeat of the Ottomans in Europe.

Safavid Empire (1501 - 1736 CE)

• 1501 CE: Establishment of the Safavid Empire by Shah Ismail I; conversion of Persia to Shia Islam.
• 1524 - 1576 CE: Reign of Shah Abbas I; significant territorial expansion and cultural development.

Mughal Empire (1526 - 1857 CE)

• 1526 CE: Establishment of the Mughal Empire by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat.
• 1556 - 1605 CE: Reign of Akbar; cultural expansion and policies of religious tolerance.
• 1707 CE: Aurangzeb's reign begins; expansion into the Deccan, but begins decline.

Timeline of the Byzantine Empire (600 CE - 1500 CE)

Early Byzantine Period (600 - 1000 CE)

• 610 CE: Heraclius becomes emperor; introduces military reforms.
• 634 - 644 CE: Islamic conquests; Byzantine territories in the Levant and North Africa are lost.
• 717 - 718 CE: Second Arab siege of Constantinople; successful defense.

Middle Byzantine Period (1000 - 1204 CE)

• 1025 CE: Reign of Basil II; the Byzantine Empire reaches its greatest territorial extent.
• 1071 CE: Battle of Manzikert; Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines, leading to loss of much of Anatolia.
• 1095 CE: Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade; Byzantine appeal for aid against the Turks.

Late Byzantine Period (1204 - 1453 CE)

• 1204 CE: Fourth Crusade leads to the sack of Constantinople; establishment of the Latin Empire.
• 1261 CE: Byzantines reclaim Constantinople; restoration of the Byzantine Empire.
• 1453 CE: Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire; marks the end of the Byzantine Empire.

Comparison of Key Events

Both timelines illustrate periods of expansion, conflict, and cultural development. The Muslim empires expanded rapidly in different directions while the Byzantine Empire faced pressures on multiple fronts, eventually leading to its decline. Key events in each timeline are often interconnected, showcasing the dynamic interplay of civilizations during this period.

Feel free to adjust or add any specifics to these timelines based on your focus or interests!