At its peak in 750, the Omayyad Caliphate (Arab Kingdom) extended into how many continents?
Omayyad Caliphate = Green
The Data Scavenger Hunt
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above:
The Omayyad Caliphate ("caliph" means the ruler of the global Islamic community) shown in green, reached its greatest territorial extent in 750. List the continents this empire encompassed.
What other empires or kingdoms did the Omayyad Caliphate (sometimes referred to as the “Arab Kingdom”) border.
The Omayyad Caliphate covers many desserts and is centered in a part of the world that is extremely dry. Describe the geographic relationship between the empire and the sea.
At its greatest extent The Omayyad Caliphate (blue) covered an area of approximately 11,100,000 km2, or 8.24% of the earth, making it one of the largest in history. Describe the size of the Omayyad Caliphate relative to other contemporary kingdoms and empires.
Describe the amount of territorial division in Europe at the time of the height of the Omayyad Caliphate.
Big Brain Questions
Answer these questions by yourself using your brain and the links below:
The Arab Kingdom reached its peak only 100 years after the founding of the Muslim religion that propelled its expansion. The Caliphate spread quickly from it’s center, Mecca, which was well connected to many global trade routes. The empire rose quickly and its armies and naval fleets defeated the declining neighboring Persian and Byzantine Empires. The Caliphate then put Arab leadership in control of the old bureaucratic and administrative systems of its former enemies, and used advanced communications through a system of postal roads to cement authority. Furthermore, its tolerance of the religion of its conquered people allowed it to govern without internal religious rebellions or uprisings. Make a claim about whether it is better to conquer through brute strength and destruction, or through integration and toleration.
The Umayyad Caliphate ruled over a vast multiethnic and multicultural population. Christians, who still constituted a majority of the caliphate's population, and Jews were allowed to practice their own religion but had to pay the jizya (tax) from which Muslims were exempt. Muslims were required to pay the zakat tax, which was earmarked explicitly for various welfare programs for the benefit of Muslims or Muslim converts. Under the early Umayyad caliphs, prominent positions were held by Christians. Why do you think the Umayyads were tolerant of other religions?
At first, most of the people conquered by the Umayyads maintained their former religions. Over time though, most of them converted to Islam. Why do you think that is?
The Omayyad Caliphate was a center of wealth, arts, and learning at a time when only China was so rich and powerful. At the same time, Barbarian invasions had ended the Roman Empire and Europe had fallen into the Medieval period or “Dark Ages”. the How would you compare the Muslim Empire to contemporary European?
The empire lasted until he last Umayyad, Marwān II (reigned 744–750), was defeated at the Battle of the Great Zab River (750). After their defeat, leaders of the Umayyad house were hunted down and killed. Why do empires continue to fight and increase territorial gains?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
According to the Pew Research Center Muslims will grow more than twice as fast as the overall world population between 2015 and 2060 and, in the second half of this century, will likely surpass Christians as the world’s largest religious group. The American empire was founded as a majority Christian nation. Pew estimates that Muslims will be the second largest religion in the U.S. by 2060. As the United States grows more multicultural and multi-religious some people want to embrace this change and act with tolerance, and others want to revert to our historical roots.. How do you think the government of the United States should act regarding religion. Contact the White House electronically or by phone: 202-456-1111
Get Creative
Imagine life under Caliphate rule as a non-Muslim. Describe a day in your life.
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