World Civilizations at the Dawn of Islam
Byzantine
Empire:
One of two empires ruling over Near and Middle East on eve of Islam.
Name: Byzantine Empire was Eastern Roman Empire.
Establishment
In 324 Ad Constantine I transferred the capital of Roman Empire from Nicomedia To the Greek Town of Byzantine.
He named the new Capital "New Rome" that latter called Constantinople.
Later Roman Emperor Theodosius divided empire in two sons in 345 AD so Empire got separate recognition.
Location: it consisted of Syria, Palestine, Egypt and a part of Europe
Capital: Constantinople
Byzantium was a Greek city on Bosporus
Constantine the Great made it the capital and later it was named as Constantinople after his name
Economic Conditions:
Geographically at crossroads of the east and west
It became a trading center ,also house industries.
It was an affluent city provided Christendom with innumerable products in gold, silk, perfumes, carpets ,leather goods, textiles.
Social Conditions:
Greek official language
Colorful life
center of social and cultural activities.
It was known far and wide for its places, gardens, fountains, stables filled with costly horses.
Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest European city in the middle ages.
Religious Life:
Theodosius (379-395 AD) made Christianity the official religion
Emperor was master of both political and religious affairs.
He claimed divine right to Rule.
Political Conditions:
It was absolute monarchy under the guise of the republican form of government.
Heraclius (610-641 AD) : called as creator of Medieval Byzantine
Syria and Egypt freed from Sassanian empire
Sassanid Empire:
Establishment:
Empire was founded by Ardashir I lasted from 224 AD to 651 AD.
Sassanian dynasty in 226 AD-
The battle of Hormuz laid foundation of Sassanian empire;
Location:
It Encompasses the present Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, Georgia, Centra l Asia, and Persian Gulf.
Capital:
Ardshir: Present day Firouzabad in Iran:
Religious Conditions:
Zaroastrianism was the state religion.
Besides Zarostrianism Christianity was also recognized by Yezdgir .
Social Conditions:
Priests
Warriors
Commoners
Petty rulers, landlords constituted a privileged class.
Intellectual Conditions:
The Sassanid kings were enlightened patrons of lettere and philosophy.
Khusro I had translated works of Plato and Aristotle into Persian and read himself.
The Art flourished tremendously in Sassanid Empire and influenced Islamic Culture and Architecture in the years to come.
Political Conditions:
The Sassanid Empire was absolute Monarchu with the Shehnshah being absolute and ultimate ruler.
Decline and Downfall:
After a series of wars with the sassanids the muslims brought the downfall of the empire in the 651.Ad
One of two empires ruling over Near and Middle East on eve of Islam.
Name: Byzantine Empire was Eastern Roman Empire.
Establishment
In 324 Ad Constantine I transferred the capital of Roman Empire from Nicomedia To the Greek Town of Byzantine.
He named the new Capital "New Rome" that latter called Constantinople.
Later Roman Emperor Theodosius divided empire in two sons in 345 AD so Empire got separate recognition.
Location: it consisted of Syria, Palestine, Egypt and a part of Europe
Capital: Constantinople
Byzantium was a Greek city on Bosporus
Constantine the Great made it the capital and later it was named as Constantinople after his name
Economic Conditions:
Geographically at crossroads of the east and west
It became a trading center ,also house industries.
It was an affluent city provided Christendom with innumerable products in gold, silk, perfumes, carpets ,leather goods, textiles.
Social Conditions:
Greek official language
Colorful life
center of social and cultural activities.
It was known far and wide for its places, gardens, fountains, stables filled with costly horses.
Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest European city in the middle ages.
Religious Life:
Theodosius (379-395 AD) made Christianity the official religion
Emperor was master of both political and religious affairs.
He claimed divine right to Rule.
Political Conditions:
It was absolute monarchy under the guise of the republican form of government.
Heraclius (610-641 AD) : called as creator of Medieval Byzantine
Syria and Egypt freed from Sassanian empire
Sassanid Empire:
Establishment:
Empire was founded by Ardashir I lasted from 224 AD to 651 AD.
Sassanian dynasty in 226 AD-
The battle of Hormuz laid foundation of Sassanian empire;
Location:
It Encompasses the present Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, Georgia, Centra l Asia, and Persian Gulf.
Capital:
Ardshir: Present day Firouzabad in Iran:
Religious Conditions:
Zaroastrianism was the state religion.
Besides Zarostrianism Christianity was also recognized by Yezdgir .
Social Conditions:
Priests
Warriors
Commoners
Petty rulers, landlords constituted a privileged class.
Intellectual Conditions:
The Sassanid kings were enlightened patrons of lettere and philosophy.
Khusro I had translated works of Plato and Aristotle into Persian and read himself.
The Art flourished tremendously in Sassanid Empire and influenced Islamic Culture and Architecture in the years to come.
Political Conditions:
The Sassanid Empire was absolute Monarchu with the Shehnshah being absolute and ultimate ruler.
Decline and Downfall:
After a series of wars with the sassanids the muslims brought the downfall of the empire in the 651.Ad
