omeya

Omeya refers to a historical period and dynasty that ruled a vast Islamic empire from the mid-7th to the mid-8th century. The Umayyad Caliphate, as it is also known, was founded by Muawiyah I after the first Islamic civil war. Its capital was initially established in Damascus, Syria. The Umayyads were instrumental in expanding the Islamic empire, pushing its borders from North Africa and Iberia in the west to Persia and parts of Central Asia in the east.

During Umayyad rule, significant administrative and architectural developments took place. Arabic became the official language of administration, and a unified coinage system was introduced. Notable architectural achievements include the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the Great Mosque of Damascus. The dynasty's expansion, however, eventually led to internal dissent and external challenges.

The Umayyad Caliphate faced opposition from various groups, including the Abbasid clan who were descendants of an uncle of the Prophet Muhammad. This opposition culminated in the Abbasid Revolution in the mid-8th century. The Abbasids overthrew the Umayyads, executing most of the ruling family and establishing their own caliphate with a capital in Baghdad. A surviving Umayyad prince, Abd al-Rahman I, fled to Iberia and established the independent Emirate of Córdoba, which later became the Caliphate of Córdoba, continuing Umayyad influence in the west.