The document summarizes important people, places, works of art and literature, and turning points related to the Arab Lands and Iran/Central Asia between 570-1260 CE. The Arab Lands experienced many changes in power over this period, with 16 mentioned, including the rise of Islam under Muhammad and the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. Iran/Central Asia had fewer changes noted, including the founding of independent states and the arrival of Turkish Seljuk rule. Both regions engaged in trade and cultural exchange while experiencing political instability over the centuries.

1. Chapter 8 Breakdowns Important people: Muhammad was the prophet that shared his subsequent revelations which was soon became Islam which was to make submission to the will of god. Mamluks where Turkic slaves at where well trained and hardy but where an effective and expensive military force. Important places: Mecca was a late blooming caravan city that lied in a barren mountain valley halfway between Yemen and Syria and a short way from the Red Sea coast of Arabia; these city assumed the control of trade in the region because it was too far for another power to take over. Medina became the city in which Muhammad and his followers fled to in 622 C.E. and bound both that city and Mecca in one single umma or a community defined solely by acceptance of Islam and of Muhammad as the “Messenger of God” his most common title. Important works of literature and/or art: Sasanid Silver Vase represented the fertility goddess Anahita, which was a deity acceptable to Zoroastrian faith. Quran was the resulting book from which Muslims regard it not as the words of Muhammad but as the unalterable word of God. Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Fustat symbolized Egypt becoming for the first time a quasi-independent province under its governor. Spanish Muslim Textile of the Twelfth Century was made of woven silk and featured peacocks and Arabic writing, which was one of the finest examples of Islamic weaving. Scholarly Life in Medieval Islam this represents the scarce quantity of books because they were expensive and that teachers were dedicated to their students and the teacher holding an entire book. Quran Page Printed from a Woodblock this represents the printing on woodblocks and tin plates exsited in the Islamic lands between approximately 800 to 1400 C.E. Items exchange between Regions: The items exchanged between regions are not stated but it is possible that Barley, lentils, wheat, cattle, dog, goat, pig, and sheep were traded from Mediterranean Sea trade. As well as wood, precious metals and stones, medicines, exotic animals, ivory, millet, peanuts, sesame seeds, sorghum, tef, cattle, black-eyed peas, okra, rice, and yams were traded Sahara trade. And millet, rice, soybeans, pig, silk, alfalfa, wine grapes, other crops, wood, precious metals and stones, and medicines were traded from the Silk Road. Turning points: The formation of the Umma in 622 by Muhammad and his followers in Medina. The taking of land by the Caliphate from 632-1258 C.E and the assault form within in 1050-1258 C.E. to destroy the Abbasid power established in the region by Turkish and other armies. Changes-over-time: The Arab Lands From 570-632 C.E. the life of the Prophet Muhammad takes place. Followed by the conquest of Iraq and Syria commence in 634 which lead to the conquest of Egypt by Arabs in from 639-42 C.E. Then from 656-61 Ali caliph and the first civil war takes place. Which lead to Umayyad Caliphate ruling from Damascus from 661-750 C.E. In 711 C.E. the Barbers and Arabs invade Spain from North Africa. Which lead to the beginning of Abbasid Caliphate in 750 C.E. After they invade Spain an Umayyad state is established in Spain in 755 C.E. From 766-809 C.E. during the Caliphate of Harun al-Rashid. The Abbasid capital is moved from Baghdad to Samarra from 835-92. Followed by the Fatimids seizing of North Africa and the founding of Shi’ite Caliphate in 909 C.E. Then Abd al-Rahman III declares himself caliph in Cordoba in 929 C.E. Which leads to Shi’ite Buyids taking control in Baghdad in 945 C.E. followed by Fatimids conquering of Egypt in 969 C.E. Then from 1055-1260 C.E. The Seljuk Turks take Baghdad (1055C.E.), and then the First Crusade captures Jerusalem (1099C.E.). The fall of Fatimid Egypt (1171C.E.), and then Saladin recaptures Jersualem (1187C.E.). Which lead to the Mamluks taking Egypt (1250C.E.),followed by the Mongols sacking of Baghdad and the end of the Abbasid Caliphate (1258C.E.), which allows the Mamluks to defeat the Mongols at Ain Jalut (1260C.E.). Continuities-over-time: Iran and Central Asia In 711 C.E the Arabs capture Sind in India which led to the Abbasid revolt beginning in Khurasan in 747 C.E. Then in 875 the Independent state of Samanid is founded in Bukhara. Followed by the Buyids from northern Iran taking control of the Abbasid Caliphate. Which lead to the beginning of Turkish Seljuk rule in Khurasan in 1036 C.E. Summary: The Arabs Lands (570–1260C.E), Iran and Central Asia (711-1036 C.E.) may have not been started around the time but they both went through power changes over time. Out of two The Arabs Lands had the most changes of power with just 16 in its region. But even though Iran and Central Asia had only had 5 they still probably had gains loses. And both regions trade good and other items as well as religion and other cultural aspects. Reaction: My reaction to this chapter was that both of the region where explained throughout the chapter as if it were a story which made me interested in the topic. Also that the people of these regions especially those in the Arabs land where under constant change but always rebuilt and moved on to conquer more. And lastly that even thought the regions had many changes of power it showed the governments were will to fight for their land. While the people of the other region possibly watch the constant wars taking place and thinking don’t involve us.