L'expansion du califat omeyyade (661-750)

Summary

This episode explores the rise and expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate, beginning with Muawiya's establishment of the dynasty in 661. The narrative details the conquest of North Africa, Spain, and parts of Asia, including significant events like the failed sieges of Constantinople and the Battle of Guadalete. It also covers internal struggles, such as the Second Fitna and the eventual decline of the Umayyads after 720, marked by Turkish invasions, Berber uprisings, and the emergence of independent states. The episode concludes with the Abbasid revolution in 750, signaling the end of the Umayyad era.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 661, Muawiya becomes caliph, founding the Umayyad dynasty after defeating Ali, ending the first Fitna.
• 😀 The Umayyad caliphate expands towards the Maghreb, with the Arabs advancing to Carthage and establishing Kairouan in Tunisia (670).
• 😀 The Umayyad fleet fails to conquer Constantinople in 674 due to Byzantine defenses and the use of Greek fire.
• 😀 Following Muawiya's death in 680, his son Yazid's succession triggers the second Fitna, causing revolts and division within the caliphate.
• 😀 In 692, Abd al-Malik restores control over the caliphate, centralizing authority by appointing powerful governors (emirs) and establishing Islamic legal systems.
• 😀 Abd al-Malik introduces the dinar coin, replacing Byzantine and Persian currencies, solidifying the Umayyad economy.
• 😀 The Umayyads continue their expansion by conquering Byzantine territories in North Africa, including Carthage (695) and parts of Morocco (709).
• 😀 Arab forces, with the help of converted Berber tribes, defeat the Visigothic kingdom at the Battle of Guadalete in 711, starting the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
• 😀 The caliphate's territory grows eastward, conquering regions once under the Sassanid Empire, including Sind, Sogdiana, and Khorasan (713).
• 😀 The Umayyad caliphate reaches its height under Caliph al-Walid, symbolized by the completion of the Great Mosque of Damascus in 715.
• 😀 Despite further attempts to conquer Constantinople in 717, the Umayyad caliphate's expansion stalls by 720, with a series of setbacks in Western Europe and Central Asia.
• 😀 The 730s see invasions by Turkish peoples, such as the Khazars and Turkic forces, further weakening the caliphate's control over its territories.
• 😀 A Berber revolt in 739 leads to the collapse of Umayyad authority in parts of North Africa, paving the way for the rise of the Abbasid dynasty.

Q & A

What event marked the beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate?

The Umayyad Caliphate began in 661 when Muawiya, the governor of Damascus, took the title of caliph after defeating Ali in the first fitna, establishing the Umayyad dynasty.

What was the significance of the second fitna for the Umayyad Caliphate?

The second fitna (680-692) was a period of civil war and division within the Umayyad Caliphate. It occurred after Muawiya's death when his son Yazid was imposed as caliph, leading to widespread unrest and rebellion, which temporarily weakened the caliphate.

What were the major reforms introduced by Abd al-Malik in 692?

Abd al-Malik introduced several key reforms, including the appointment of emirs (provincial governors with civil and military power), the establishment of a system of judges (qadis) to enforce Islamic law, and the introduction of the dinar, a new Islamic currency to replace Byzantine and Persian coins.

How did the Umayyad Caliphate handle its conquered territories?

Conquered territories, such as those in North Africa and Spain, were required to pay a tax called the jizya in exchange for exemption from military service. This led to a significant number of conversions to Islam, strengthening the caliphate’s military power.

What were the key battles in the Umayyad conquest of the Iberian Peninsula?

The key battle in the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula was the Battle of Guadalete in 711, where the Muslim forces defeated the Visigothic King Roderic. This victory paved the way for the Muslim conquest of most of the Iberian Peninsula.

What prevented the Umayyads from taking Constantinople in 717?

The Umayyad siege of Constantinople in 717 was thwarted by the Byzantines' strong defenses, including the use of Greek fire, a secret weapon that caused significant damage to the Umayyad fleet.

What was the extent of the Umayyad Caliphate at its peak in the early 8th century?

At its peak, the Umayyad Caliphate extended from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to Central Asia in the east, covering vast territories including North Africa, the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Anatolia.

What challenges did the Umayyads face in the 730s that contributed to their decline?

In the 730s, the Umayyads faced invasions by Turkic peoples, including the Khazars and Central Asian Turks. These invasions temporarily took control of key cities like Bukhara and Samarkand, weakening the caliphate's eastern territories.

What caused the fragmentation of the Umayyad Caliphate by the late 740s?

The fragmentation was caused by internal revolts, such as the Berber revolt in Morocco in 739, which spread across the caliphate. This led to the loss of control over several regions, resulting in the establishment of smaller, independent states.

How did the rise of the Abbasids contribute to the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty?

The Abbasids, who were part of a rival faction, capitalized on the Umayyad Caliphate’s internal divisions and weaknesses. Their rise, following the fragmentation of Umayyad power, led to the overthrow of the Umayyads and the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate.