The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661-750
by G. R Hawting
The First Dynasty of Islam examines the Umayyad Caliphate's rise from 661 to 750 AD, detailing its establishment in Damascus, territorial expansions, and administrative innovations. It explores the interplay of politics, religion, and society that defined this transformative era in Islamic history, highlighting challenges and achievements under the first hereditary rulers.
About This Book
The Umayyad Caliphate represents the first hereditary dynasty in Islamic history, ruling from 661 to 750 AD. Established after the assassination of Ali, it shifted the caliphate's center to Damascus, marking a transition from the Rashidun era.
Under Umayyad rule, the Islamic empire expanded rapidly into North Africa, Spain, and Central Asia, consolidating power through administrative reforms and military conquests. The dynasty's governance blended Arab tribal traditions with Byzantine and Persian influences.
This period saw tensions between Arab elites and newly converted subjects, influencing the caliphate's policies on taxation and integration. The Umayyads' legacy includes architectural achievements and the spread of Islam, though internal strife led to their overthrow by the Abbasids.
Author G. R. Hawting provides a detailed examination of these developments, drawing on historical sources to illuminate the dynasty's role in shaping early Islamic civilization.
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