750/751–1258 CE
The Abbasids, who came to power after the Omayyads in 750/751 CE, held power for several centuries. The last representative of the dynasty died at the end of the 13th century CE.
The territories of the Abbasid (Baghdad) Caliphate included:
- Central and Middle Asia;
- Egypt and northwest Africa;
- Iran;
- parts of India.
Iran under the Abbasids was marked by numerous wars, primarily aimed at halting the decentralization of the caliphate that had begun under their predecessors.
Among the notable rulers, the most famous were:
- Abu Ja’far al‑Mansur, who moved the capital to the newly built Baghdad. For centuries, Baghdad became the epitome of an Eastern city and is still associated by many with Islamic culture.
- Caliph Harun al‑Rashid (ruled 786–809 CE), who deserves special attention. His reign is rightfully considered if not the “Golden Age of Islam”, then at least its beginning.
Harun al‑Rashid’s birthplace was the Iranian city of Ray. Although his rule cannot be called politically stable due to constant power struggles and separatism, fr om a cultural and economic perspective it marked the peak of Muslim power from their emergence until the end of the 1st millennium CE.
His nickname, which translates from Arabic as “the Rightly Guided” or “the Just”, eloquently reflects his influence and authority among Muslims.
State policy
Regarding state policy as a whole, it is worth mentioning the continued struggle with Byzantium. After coming to power on a wave of anti‑Omayyad sentiment and rising Shia popularity, the Abbasids themselves eventually had to fight against Shia rebels.
Internal processes were accompanied by growing Persian influence in local self‑government bodies.
Cultural achievements
As an example of the cultural development under the Abbasids, we can mention the House of Wisdom — a kind of academy wh ere Greek, Syriac, and Middle Persian books were translated into Arabic. This allowed the Arab world to become better acquainted with the finest examples of ancient culture.
Decline and succession of dynasties
The overthrow of the Abbasids led to a succession of ruling dynasties, which was inevitably accompanied by the gradual reduction of the caliphate’s territory. Egyptian possessions, followed by Spain and Sicily, gradually broke away. The sphere of influence in the eastern outskirts also shrank.
Several short‑lived dynasties emerged:
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Tahirids;
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Saffarids;
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Samanids;
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Sajids;
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Salarids;
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Rawadids;
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Gilakis;
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Justanids;
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Ziyarids;
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Buyids.
The Buyids were the last rulers of the caliphate whose authority extended to Iran. During this period, Iran also saw the development of crafts and arts — particularly architecture.
For example, the Friday Mosque in Isfahan was founded under the Buyids — specifically at the end of the 8th century CE.
