The Fall of the Umayyad Caliphate and the Rise of the Abbasids

Battle of the Great Zab (750)

• Date: January 25, 750
• Location: Great Zab River, modern-day Iraq
• Belligerents: Umayyad Caliphate vs. Abbasid army
• Outcome: Shocking defeat for Umayyads; Abbasid victory
• Significance: Marked the collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate and the rise of the Abbasids

Context Leading Up to the Battle

• Umayyad Expectations: Expected to defeat the outnumbered Abbasids easily
• Composition of Abbasid Army: Mixture of dissidents, rebellious Arabs, non-Arabs, and Christians
• Umayyad Morale: Low due to recent defeats and lack of confidence in leadership
• Abbasid Determination: Included experienced former Umayyad fighters and highly motivated soldiers

The Decline of the Umayyad Caliphate

• Size and Reach: Spanned three continents; over 11 million sq km; ruled ~30 million people
• Period of Power: Over 100 years, notable for contributions to art, science, architecture, and politics
• Governance Innovations: Centralized political administration; meticulous empire management

Historical Background

• Rashidun Caliphate (First Caliphate): Began after Prophet Muhammad's death in 632
  • Caliphs: Abu Bakr (successor), Omar, Uthman, and Ali
  • Uthman's Murder: Led to political instability
  • Ali's Assassination (661): Created a vacuum for leadership
• Mu'awiya: Governor of Syria, became the first Umayyad caliph

The Umayyad System

• Governance: Dynasty-based; centralized in Damascus, Syria
• Cultural and Religious Diversity: Ruled over Jews, non-Arab Muslims, and Christians
• Controversies: Non-lineage caliphs, centralized system opposed by many Muslims
• Military Expansion: Utilized Syrian military strength to expand into North Africa, Central Asia, and Europe
• Law and Order: Established police network, appointed governors, centralized administration

Expansion and Height of Power

• Caliph al-Walid I: Ruled from 705-715; expanded territory
• Extent: Ruled modern-day Iraq, Iran, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, and Central Asia
• Challenges: Seen as favoritism towards Arab Muslims in Syria, unfair wealth distribution

Rise of the Abbasids

• Family Connection: Descendants of Prophet Muhammad's uncle, al-ʿAbbās
• Motives: Discontent with Umayyad rule; sought caliph directly related to Muhammad
• Early Support: Garnered support from non-Arabs and non-Muslims
• Conflict with Byzantines: Umayyad defeat at Siege of Constantinople (717)

Abbasid Takeover

• Starting Point: Persia (modern-day Iran)
• Strategy: Successfully rallied Persian soldiers against Umayyads
• March to Mesopotamia: By autumn of 749, reached present-day Iraq
• Final Battle: Great Zab River, January 750
  • Tactics: Abbasids were better prepared, conducted effective counter-offensives
  • Aftermath: Umayyad generals hunted down and executed
• First Abbasid Caliph: Abu al-ʿAbbas al-Saffah

Conclusion

• End of Umayyads: After more than a century, their reign ended
• Start of Abbasids: Began a 500-year period of Abbasid rule