THE SAFAVID EMPIRE

I. ORIGINS

map, p. 469 was a Shiite empire, founded by Shah Ismail

shah = king covered much of Iraq & Iran (also known as

Persia) used the Shiite faith to unite the areas under

Safavid control conflict with the Ottoman Empire

religious conflict territorial conflict

Azerbaijan

capital = Isfahan

II. MAJOR RULERS

Shah Ismail – founder Shah Abbas (r. 1588-1629)

strengthened the army & government bureaucracy

regained control of Azerbaijan in 1612 after Shah Abbas’ death, religious orthodoxy

began to play a larger role in Safavid society effect on women?

the Safavid empire declined by the early 18th cent. result? - anarchy

comparison w/Ottomans? – see Venn diagram on p. 470

III. SAFAVID SOCIETY

reflected both Turkish & Persian influence pyramidal political structure

1. shah exercised power over the landed aristocracy awarded govt. positions based upon merit & skill

2. bureaucracy & landed peoples 3. common people

trade & manufacturing were very important good location for trade horse or camel caravans led to creation of an affluent urban middle class

IV. CULTURE

Isfahan became a center for the arts a planned city elaborate buildings

silk weaving was a distinctive art form, as was carpet weaving

Riza-i-Abbasi painter used simple subjects

for inspiration “Convivial Party”(1612)

(Hermitage Museum)

The "Seley" Carpet, late 16th centuryProbably Herat (present-day Afghanistan)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Binding: From a manuscript of the Mantiq al-Tayr (The Language of the Birds) of Farid al-Din cAttar, ca. 1600; SafavidIran (Isfahan)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

Jug, early 16th century; SafavidAfghanistan (probably Herat)Cast brass, inlaid with silver and gold

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC