Question
Evaluate the view that the ‘Abbasid Revolution was mainly a religious revolution.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the view that the ʽAbbasid Revolution was mainly a religious revolution, weighing up the strengths and limitations of this assessment. Candidates may agree, partially agree, or disagree with the view. They may elect to evaluate the significance of religion in the context of other aspects of the ʽAbbasid Revolution, for example the relocation of the capital from Damascus to Baghdad, which empowered Iranians and lessened the power of Syrian Arabs. Nevertheless, the focus of the response will be on religion and its significance (or lack thereof). In this context, candidates may comment on factors such as discontent amongst Sunni and Shia in the Umayyad dynasty in the mid-700s, the role of key figures, such as Abu al-ʽAbbas al-Saffah and/or Abu Muslim Khurasani. They may also reference the importance of Silk Road garrisons in the ʽAbbasid Revolution.
Question
To what extent did the ʽAbbasid dynasty draw upon the Sassanian heritage in the organization of its empire?
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the concept that the ʽAbbasid dynasty drew upon the Sassanian heritage in the organization of its empire. Candidates may focus the political and fiscal structure of the empire, the use of the satrapies, the ʽAbbasid court system, and the notion of the Caliph as Shahanshah, and argue that these features were legacies of the Sassanian system. The military structure of the ʽAbbasids, so crucial to the establishment and expansion of their empire, was also based on a Sassanian template. Candidates may consider other explanations of the genesis of the ʽAbbasid system, including the argument that the main inspiration for ʽAbbasid organization came from the Ummayads and not the Sassanids.
Question
With reference to the period up to 900, discuss the consequences of the ‘Abbasid Revolution.
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the consequences of the ‘Abbasid revolution. Candidates may provide context by offering some background to the region prior to the revolution. They may identify an overarching consequence, such as the transformation of the Islamic world from a society dominated by Arabs to a more multi-cultural one, or they could offer a chronological approach in which individual consequences are discussed. Alternatively, candidates could offer a thematic approach; for example, they could address cultural changes, such as increased literary output and intellectual development. Other consequences may include greater knowledge of the world due to exploration, economic factors such urbanisation and increased trade, sectarian and ethnic divisions, the political fracturing of the Muslim world, and the spread of Islam due to proselytization. Other relevant factors may be referred to.
Question
To what extent did rifts and divisions within the ‘Abbasid Empire contribute to its decline?
Answer/Explanation
Ans:
Candidates will consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that rifts and divisions contributed to the decline of the ‘Abbasid Empire. Candidates may argue that these rifts and divisions were wholly or partially responsible for the decline, or they may suggest other factors, and consider them as being more significant. However, whichever method is chosen, candidates are required to deal with the issue of rifts and divisions in their responses. These may include geographic factors such as the vast extent of the empire, ethnic factors such as rivalries between Arabs and non-Arabs, political differences such as dynastic conflicts, economic factors such as growing wealth disparities, or religious differences such as those between Sunni and ‘Shia. Other relevant factors such as the impact of warfare may be referred to in candidate responses.