Emevî

Emevî, also spelled Emevi, refers to the first of the two major Islamic dynasties that ruled over the Islamic Caliphate, the other being the Abbasids. The Emevî Caliphate was established in 661 CE by Muawiya I, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, after the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman ibn Affan. The Emevîs ruled from Damascus, the capital of the Syrian province, and their rule lasted until 750 CE, when they were overthrown by the Abbasids.

The Emevî Caliphate is notable for its expansion of the Islamic empire, particularly under the caliphs Umar II and Abd al-Malik. During this period, the empire reached its greatest territorial extent, encompassing much of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Spain. However, the Emevîs are also criticized for their persecution of non-Muslims, particularly the Christians and Jews, and for their suppression of the Islamic sciences and literature.

The Emevî Caliphate was characterized by a strong central government and a well-organized bureaucracy. The caliphs were absolute rulers, and their authority was based on divine right. The Emevîs also established a standing army, which was used to maintain control over the empire and to suppress rebellions.

The Emevî Caliphate ended with the Battle of the Zab in 750 CE, where the Abbasids, led by Abu al-Abbas as-Saffah, defeated the Emevîs. The Abbasids then established their own caliphate, which lasted until 1258 CE, when the Mongols conquered Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.