Persian and Arabic Persian and Arabic LiteratureLiterature

By By

Andrew C. JacksonAndrew C. Jackson

Historical Highlights (566)Historical Highlights (566)

Pre-Islamic PersiaPre-Islamic Persia– Aryans establishedAryans established

Became known as PersiaBecame known as Persia

– IranIran ““land of the Aryans”land of the Aryans”

– Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great Conquered PersiaConquered Persia

H.H.H.H.

Arabs and the Rise of IslamArabs and the Rise of Islam– AbrahamAbraham

Arabs descended from him (traditionally)Arabs descended from him (traditionally)

– MeccaMecca Part of trade routePart of trade route

– MuhammadMuhammad Founder of Islam (born in 570)Founder of Islam (born in 570)

– IslamIslam ““submission to Allah’s will”submission to Allah’s will”

H.H.H.H.

A Persian RebirthA Persian Rebirth– Persia thrives in many waysPersia thrives in many ways

People and Society (568)People and Society (568) NomadsNomads

– ““wanderers” known as Bedouinswanderers” known as Bedouins Ruling ClassRuling Class

– Theocracy (government by religious authority)Theocracy (government by religious authority) Emirs (princes)Emirs (princes) Sultans (rulers)Sultans (rulers) Shahs (kings)Shahs (kings)

– Helped by viziers (chief ministers)Helped by viziers (chief ministers) Lower classesLower classes

– Ok if they paid tax and did not promote their Ok if they paid tax and did not promote their own religionsown religions

– Helped by Muhammad’s perspective of helping Helped by Muhammad’s perspective of helping the poorthe poor

P and SP and S

Merchants and tradersMerchants and traders– BazaarsBazaars– Increasingly wealthyIncreasingly wealthy

The Learned ClassThe Learned Class– Scholars, scientists, writers, artistsScholars, scientists, writers, artists

Highly respectedHighly respected

Islamic MysticsIslamic Mystics– Dervishes (mystic monks)Dervishes (mystic monks)

WomenWomen– Were treated better thenWere treated better then

Arts and culture (570)Arts and culture (570)

Islamic ArchitectureIslamic Architecture– Mosques (houses of worship)Mosques (houses of worship)

Minaret (high tower or beacon)Minaret (high tower or beacon) MuezzinMuezzin

– Crier calls for prayer 5xdayCrier calls for prayer 5xday

A and C (cont.)A and C (cont.)

Scholarship and ScienceScholarship and Science– Emphasis on study and learningEmphasis on study and learning

House of WisdomHouse of Wisdom

A and C (cont.)A and C (cont.)

LiteratureLiterature– Pre-IslamicPre-Islamic

Mainly oralMainly oral

– Post-IslamPost-Islam More put into writingMore put into writing KoranKoran

– Islam’s sacred book (653 A.D.)Islam’s sacred book (653 A.D.)

Decorative arts (limited because of Islam)Decorative arts (limited because of Islam)– SwordsSwords– CarpetsCarpets– Persian miniaturesPersian miniatures

Connect to Today (574-75)Connect to Today (574-75)

Modern bankingModern banking Mail systemMail system SurgerySurgery MathematicsMathematics AstronomyAstronomy LanguageLanguage Pants (J.D.)Pants (J.D.)

Here endeth the lessonHere endeth the lesson

Andrew C. Jackson, 2007Andrew C. Jackson, 2007