Abbasids

Question 1

Abbasid Caliphate

Answer 1

750-1258

Baghdad, Iraq

Question 2

Who did the Abbasids claim they were descended from?

Answer 2

The Prophet’s uncle al-Abbas

Question 3

When were the Abbasids sacked?

Answer 3

In the 13^th century, for which they settled in Cairo between 1217-1517

Question 4

Abbasids in Iraq

Answer 4

750-1258

Question 5

Abbasids in Cairo

Answer 5

1261-1517

Question 6

What consequence arose from the sacking of the Abbasids?

Answer 6

Abbasid caliph remained as a symbolic presence but he would not rule. The ruler was a sultan.

Question 7

Baghdad

Answer 7

• It was built by Abbasids in 762
• Chosen as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate because it was an old Sasanian site.
• As such there was a domination of Sasanian tradition.

Question 8

Samarra

Answer 8

• Princely city outside of Baghdad
• Temporary capital of Caliphate (836-83/92)

Question 9

Beveled style

Answer 9

• Way of carving surfaces, widely used in Samarra, like stucco, wood, metalwork
• Rhythmic and symmetrical repetitions of curved lines with spiral terminals
• More abstract than vegetal forms derived from Late Antique ornament

Image: cast of a ninth-century wall panel, The Met

Question 10

Which significant dynasties started to form during Abbasid rule?

Answer 10

• Fatimid (909-1171)
• Seldjuq (1040-1157/1081-1307)
• Mamluk (1250-1517)

Question 11

Plan of al-Mansur’s Baghdad

Answer 11

• Conceived with cosmic significance: center of a universal empire
• Symbolic entrances: three of the four doors to the city were taken from older cities
  
  • repossessing of ancient traditions of the area
• Mosque and palace in center

Source: Ettinghausen et al.

Question 12

Influences in Abbasid architecture

Answer 12

• Sasanian due to the establishment of the capital in previous Sasanian territory.
• In Iraq it was also descended from ancient Mesopotamian architecture, for, despite intervening periods of Iranian, Greek and Roman political control, it is possible to find many direct parallels in techniques and decoration with late Assyrian and Babylonian architecture.

Question 13

City of Raqqa

Answer 13

• Horseshoe-shaped city 1500 m across
• Said to be copy of Baghdad
• Called al-Rafiqa, 772.
• To house Khurasanian army units.

Question 14

Early Abbasid military settlements

Answer 14

• Cantonments
• Urban character
• Main palace, minor palaces, a grand avenue and a grid of streets with houses were present

Question 15

Where is the al-Mutawakkil Mosque located and when was it built?

Answer 15

Samarra, 848-52

Question 16

What is the name of the minaret seen at the Great Mosque of Samarra (al-Mutawakkil Mosque)?

Answer 16

Malwiya (spiral) Tower

Question 17

Which influences are said to be seen in the Malwiya Tower?

Answer 17

Either Mesopotamian ziggurats or Sasanian influences

Image: Artistic rendition of the Pillar of Minar of Gor (Sasanian), 1889

Question 18

Where is the Abu Dulaf Mosque located and when was it built?

Answer 18

Samarra, 859-61