Abbasid Caliphate

Abbasid Caliphate was an empire in Mesopotamia (Middle East) that lasted from 750 to 1258 CE, about 508 years. Its people spoke Arabic languages (Arabic-speaking states).

Caliphs who founded Baghdad in 762 and made it a centre of learning with the House of Wisdom. After 945 real power passed to Buyid and Seljuk sultans, and the Mongols killed the last caliph of Baghdad in 1258.

See Abbasid Caliphate on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

750 to 1258 CE

Duration

508 years

Type

Empire

Region

Mesopotamia, Middle East

Language family

Arabic

Capital

Baghdad, briefly Samarra

Came from

• Umayyad Caliphate 661 to 750 CE

Events in Middle East during its time

• 762 Founding of Baghdad
• 1071 Battle of Manzikert
• 1099 Crusaders take Jerusalem
• 1187 Battle of Hattin
• 1258 Mongols sack Baghdad

Neighbours in Middle East

• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE
• Great Seljuk Empire 1037 to 1194 CE
• Umayyad Caliphate 661 to 750 CE
• Zaydi Imamate of Yemen 897 to 1918 CE
• Kingdom of Georgia 1008 to 1490 CE
• Khazar Khaganate c. 650 to 969 CE
• Sultanate of Rum 1077 to 1308 CE
• Kingdom of Jerusalem 1099 to 1291 CE
• Bagratid Armenia 885 to 1045 CE
• Khwarazmian Empire 1077 to 1231 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America

Questions