ABU AL ABBAS

BIO

• Lived from 722-754 C.E.
• Descendant of an uncle of muhammed's
• First caliph of the Abbasid dynasty

RISE TO POWER

• Umayyads were weakened by unclear succession
• In 747 Abbasids declared an open revolt
• Abu became the caliph in 749

THE BLOOD SHEDDER

• Abu killed other claimants of the throne
• Those killed included family and other caliphs
• Named himself as "Saffah" or "blood shedder"
• Thus was able to create secure administrastion

THE ABBASID DYNASTY

• The Capitol was moved from Damascus to Baghdad
• Stretched from Persia through Africa to Spain
• Thanks to Abu, was one of the world's largest empires
• Lasted until 1258 when conquered by Mongols
• Abu died of smallpox in 754