1. Safavid Iran
18.2

2. Who were the Safavids?
►A Shi’a brotherhood that took over
Iran in the 1400s
►Root of modern Iran today
►Oversaw much cultural blending
►Constantly at war with Sunni
Ottomans

4. Sunni vs. Shi’a
►Ottomans & Safavids fought over
control of the Fertile Crescent
 Safavids murdered Sunnis
 Ottomans murdered Shiites
►Root of modern religious turmoil
in Iraq today

5. Shah Abbas 1571 - 1629
►Ruled during
Safavid Golden Age
►Rebuilt Isfahan
►Borrowed from
European,
Ottoman, Persian,
& Chinese Culture

6. Reforms
► Limited military power/created 2 armies
loyal to Shah Abbas only
► Punished corruption severely, promoted
only competent and loyal people
► Brought Chinese religious orders into the
empire, increased industry, trade, and art
throughout Europe

10. Weak Rulers led to swift Decline
►Like the Ottomans, the Safavid rulers
killed their ablest sons & suffered
military losses
►By 1722 the Dynasty fell

11. Safavid Legacy
►Blended Persian
arts with Shi’a
Islam
►Persiancarpets
became world
famous

13. Cultural Blending
► Language: Persian, however when the area
converted to Islam a # of Arabic words were
introduced.
► Religion& Ethical Systems: Buddhism practiced by
Tibetans in different than Japanese Zen Buddihism
► Styles of Government: democracy is different per
country
► Racial/Ethnic blending- mestizo: mixed Euro and
Indian ancestry in Mexico
► Arts/Architecture: chinese art elements found in
Safavid empire tiles and carpets and European
paintings