The Persian Empire

The Persian Empire by Michael Sullivan

         For many un the United States today, when thinking about the Achaemenid Empire (commonly called the Persian Empire) they imagine tyrannical kings and subjected people, sprawling deserts and conquering armies bent on world domination. These views commit a great injustice against this ancient civilization, however, as they promote misconceptions while failing to appreciate the contributions and accomplishments of this great empire. That is why this segment of history of the Middle East is so fascinating to me, as for many the truth about this great empire remains untold.

           For me the one of the greatest misconceptions made about the Persian Empire was its supposed forced religious conversion and tyrannical rule over conquered territories. Though the Persian Empire was founded largely on conquest first undertaken by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, it is a great untruth to assume that it’s new subjects were victims of harsh rule. Under Persian control, the conquered state was often allowed to keep its local kings and leaders in power, and also to continue practicing their previous religion. In fact, for many people life continued much as it had under their formal rulers, as their governments and religions remained the same under Persian rule. It is for this reason that such claims like the Greeks fought for freedom against the Persians in the Greco-Persian Wars of the 5th century ring hollow. Indeed, life largely would have continued as usual for many Greeks. And possible would have improved for such militaristically
repressed people as the Spartans of ancient Greece.
    

Another greatly underappreciated aspect of the Persian Empire was its spread of Zoroastrianism throughout much of its empire. Though subjects were not forcibly converted to the teachings of Zoroaster, this religion nevertheless spread from Egypt and Turkey into the Middle East. The significance of this lies in the fundamental doctrine of Zoroastrianism, and that is the idea of one true God. In fact, it is believed by many to be the first monotheistic religion in human history. Some even argue that this widespread practice of Zoroastrianism in the Persian Empire would later greater increase the number of people willing to accept the teachings of Christianity, Judaism and Islam in the Middle East (and eventually much of the world) as monotheism became the main form of religion faith in the region (“Zoroastrians Keep the Faith, and Keep Dwindling“). Personally this contribution is vastly underappreciated when dealing with the historical significance of the region, and greatly helps understand the evolution of religion in the Middle East as a whole.

           One additional underappreciated aspect of the Persian Empire was its great administrative structure. As mentioned, under Persian rule formerly independent states became satrapies, and were largely left to their own devices while still paying tribute and homage to the Persian king.  It was in this way that such an empire was able to last for so long. Additionally, the use of runners as message carriers in a complex ancient postal service (“Postal Service“, Encyclopedia Britannica) allowed the Persian Empire to maintain contact and control over even its farthest reaching territories for much of its reign.
   
           How does one judge the accomplishments of an empire? For many only a fraction of knowledge is known about the Persians, where they are reserved as foreign and mysterious, and more likely to occupy the role of the villain in a bad Hollywood film, and people are much more likely to know about Alexander the Great and the fall of the Persians than how their empire was actually created, how it was maintained, and the people who lived there. For me, that makes the Persian Empire incredibly fascinating to know about. For is it not a much greater achievement to be able to create and maintain such a vast empire, than it is to bring one down?

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Works Cited

Brix, Andrew C. “Postal Service” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia     Britannica, Inc. 2008. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Goodstein, Laura. “Zoroastrians Keep the Faith, and Keep Dwindling”. NYTimes. The     New York Times. 6 Sept. 2006. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.

The Arab Influence on Latin America

The Arab Influence on Latin America by Nate Coddington

            When the Muslim armies sailed across the Strait of Gibraltar from Africa to attack Spain, they travelled with an army only 10,000 strong. Their purpose was to establish a new order, and replace the Visigoths who had dominated the population for generations, along with the Latin Church. There was a distinct difference between the poor and the wealthy, with opulent living for some, and absolute poverty for others. The Jews suffered the most not even being able to own land. The Visigoths army was almost 90,000 strong, but due to their inability to adapt to the Muslims’ mobile warfare. They were slaughtered. The Arabs set up a new order in Andalusia (southern Spain) with their capital in Cordoba. The Muslims freed the slaves, lowered taxes, allowed freedom of religion, and improved infrastructure. Spain, as a result, became far more prosperous, and became a leading center for art, culture, architecture, and science in Europe.[1]

            As a precursor to studying Middle Eastern History it is important to note that even though most people think western and middle eastern culture are completely different (and they are in many ways) that they are not as different as they might seem. Our daily lives are affected by many technological discoveries and inventions from the Middle East. But additionally, Muslim influence on western extends beyond America’s borders, in this case, to Latin America.

            Being that Spain is the mother country to all of Latin America, and that Spain was heavily influenced by its previous Muslim rulers, Latin America itself has been influenced by Muslim Spain in many ways such as their ancestral and linguistic history.

            As was said before, the majority of the Muslim population in Spain was in Andalusia, which is also where the capital of Cordoba was located. Long after the fall of Muslim Spain, when the Spanish Empire was expanding to the New World, most of the Spanish emigrants came from Andalusia.[2] Having studied in Chile, I was told by my history professor there that it was the Andalusians who settled most of Chile, and that there is a lot of Arabic ancestry in Chileans. Never before had I connected the dots between Muslim Spain and the Muslim influence on Latin America.

            Additionally, Muslim Spain had a profound influence on the Spanish Language. Many Spanish words come from Arabic origin. For instance, the preposition “hasta” (English “until”) comes from the Arabic word “hata,” which carries a similar meaning. Other words include Spanish “ojala,” (English “hopefully”) which comes from the Arabic phrase “wa sha allah,” which translates in English to “should God will it.” The Spanish word “aceite” (English “oil”) comes from Arabic “az-zait.” Still further well known Spanish words “almohada” (English “pillow”) and Spanish “azucar” (English “sugar”) come from Arabic origin. Those are just some of them.[3]

            But as you can see, Muslim/Middle Eastern history has had a profound effect on western society in general, and some western societies in particular. Obviously Muslim Spain had a huge effect on both the Spanish Empire as well as modern day Spain. Spain additionally launched the influence of the Arabic world to the New World.

           

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[1] Ahmed, Nazeer. "The Conquest of Spain." historyofIslam.com. Accessed October 20, 2013.

[2] Colahan, Clark. "Spanish Americans." everyculture.com. Accessed October 20, 2013.

[3] Boyle, Patrick. "Top Ten Spanish Words of Arabic Origin." listverse.com. Accessed October 20, 2013.

Taylor's Thoughts on the Holy Quran

This essay is written by my classmate Taylor Lewis on The Holy Quran. enjoy reading it.  

I have always been interested in the word of god and the many different religions that each nation offers. However the western world has been notorious for altering the words in the Bible, constantly revising and producing new versions of the Bible. People will take the words that they like and disregard the ones that they don’t. There are so many revisions but I would like to read some of the unaltered words of god. From what I have read the Holy Qur’an offers such an opportunity.  
                                                                                                                                   
 I find it very interesting that even though many religions call their god by a different name they still have very similar characteristics. Even though land and sea separates many different people the similarities are uncanny. I was able to find multiple sources of the Holy Qur’ans translation into English. Each offered interesting insight while allowing me to engulf myself into the vastness of the Holy Qur’an.   

I found one translation by Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali and Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan which I particularly liked, it said… The Holy Quran [8:30] “And (remember) when the disbelievers plotted against you (O Muhammad ) to imprison you, or to kill you, or to get you out (from your home, i.e. Makkah); they were plotting and Allah too was planning, and Allah is the Best of the planners.” I love that it ended with “Allah is the Best of the planners” If I may, I think that this not only refers to this single passage but Allah’s plans as a whole. Throughout the Holy Qur’an Allah is referenced as being great and merciful with ever bounding love. I believe that passage reverts to the aspect of Allah’s power he possess and the path that he allows people to set for themselves while he is all seeing and knowing. Their path is forged by their own actions but decided by Allah.                                                                                                  

I was lucky enough to listen to an original reading of the Holy Qur’an by Abdulbasit Abdulsamad. I have never in my life heard of anything like this. I have been to church and listened to sermons but I had never heard anything of this sort. Even though I do not understand the words being spoken the reading was astounding and quite calming. Abdulbasit’s reading was humbling. He read with conviction and his voice carried past the language barrier. Each word flowed as if it were a song. Each word was carefully read leaving a convincing enchantment. Even though we come from different parts of the world I can appreciate the beauty in the sacred words being spoken, different language or not. It was one thing reading the translations but it was much more fulfilling listening to an original reading. Language did not matter, the recites’ voice carried with a conviction that is seldom heard in today’s life. I look forward to finding out more about Islamic History and what the Holy Qur’an has in its pages.  

The Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - Summary

As Salaam Ailekum,

This is a summary of the blessed life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the author of this article is anonymous but when I read it it looks like it is just a summarization of Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) By Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri which is one of the best, if not the best biographies of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which should be enough to give you the full picture of his extraordinary life.

                                PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H)

Some saying from that personality:

A strong man is not he who defeats his adversary by wrestling, but a strong man is he who controls himself at the time of anger.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

Two friends are like two hands, one of which washes the other.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

By Him in Whose hand my soul is, a man does not believe till he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

Avoid envy, for envy devours good deeds just as fire devours fuel.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

Among the best of you [are they] who have the best character.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

God does not look at your forms and possessions, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.
     The Prophet Mohammed (may God bless him and grant him peace)

                                                            

Allah and His Angles send blessings on the Prophet: O you that believe ! you send blessings on him, and salute him with all respect. The Holy Quran [33:45-46]

Salaam!

Salaam (peace) and hello everyone!

this blog is established for the class of The Islamic Middle East. However, everybody is welcome to enjoy this blog.. I may add some links, essays or suggestions on different subjects including a fair amount foucsing on  Arabic language.

feel free to leave me your comments and I'll do my best to keep this blog interesting and active.