Ommiades - Definition, Etymology, and Historical Significance
Definition
The Ommiades, also known in Arabic as Banū Umaiyah (بنو امية) or ad-Daulatu ʾl-Umawīyah (الدولة الاموية), refer to the first dynastic caliphate in Islamic history. This dynasty ruled the Islamic Ummah from 661 AD to 750 AD (41 AH to 132 AH), descending from Muʿāwiyah, a great-grandson of Umaiyah of the Quraish tribe.
Etymology
The term “Ommiades” originates from the name Umaiyah, the great-grandfather of Muʿāwiyah, who established the dynasty. The Arabic phrase بنو امية (Banū Umaiyah) translates to “Sons of Umaiyah.” Umaiyah itself derives from the root word that implies “to be prominent” or “elevated.”
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: بنو امية (Banū Umaiyah)
- Turkish: Emevîler (derived from Umayyad, a variation of Ommiades)
Historical Context and Significance
The Ommiades gained power following the death of ʿAlī, the fourth caliph, marking the end of the Rashidun Caliphate. The first caliph of the Ommiades was Muʿāwiyah I, son of Abū Sufyān, who established his capital in Damascus. This period marked a transformative era in Islamic history characterized by culture, administration, and military expansion.
Notable Ommiades Caliphs
- Muʿāwiyah I (A.H. 41 / A.D. 661) - Founder of the Umayyad Dynasty.
- Yazīd I (A.H. 60 / A.D. 680) - Known for the Battle of Karbala.
- Muʿāwiyah II (A.H. 64 / A.D. 683) - Reigned briefly.
- Marwān I (A.H. 64 / A.D. 684) - Restored Umayyad control.
- ʿAbdu ʾl-Malik (A.H. 65 / A.D. 685) - Expanded the empire, introduced Arabic as the administrative language.
- Al-Walīd I (A.H. 86 / A.D. 705) - Patron of art and architecture.
- Sulaimān (A.H. 96 / A.D. 715) - Continued expansion.
- ʿUmar II (A.H. 99 / A.D. 717) - Known for his piety and administrative reforms.
- Yazīd II (A.H. 101 / A.D. 720) - Maintained the status quo.
- Hishām (A.H. 105 / A.D. 724) - Stabilized and fortified the empire.
- Al-Walīd II (A.H. 125 / A.D. 743) - Faced multiple internal rebellions.
- Yazīd III (A.H. 126 / A.D. 744) - Brief rule.
- Ibrāhīm (A.H. 126 / A.D. 744) - Brief rule.
- Marwān II (A.H. 127–132 / A.D. 744–750) - The last Umayyad caliph, faced the Abbasid uprising.
Decline and Fall
The decline of the Ommiades was marked by internal strife, economic issues, and uprisings such as the Abbasid Revolution. The final blow came when the Abbasids, led by Ibrāhīm and Abū ʾl-ʿAbbās, refused to acknowledge Marwān II’s authority. The Abbasids defeated Marwān II on the banks of the Zab river. Marwān II fled to Egypt, where he was ultimately defeated and killed in A.H. 132 (A.D. 750). Abū ʾl-ʿAbbās was then proclaimed the Caliph, marking the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Early Islamic Conquests” by Fred M. Donner
- “The Empire of the Quraysh: The Umayyad Caliphate ad 661-750” by G. R. Hawting
- “The First Dynasty of Islam: The Umayyad Caliphate AD 661-750” by G. R. Hawting
- “The Umayyad Caliphate: A Political Study” by R. Stephen Humphreys
- “The Umayyads: The Rise of Islamic Art” by Museum with No Frontiers
Takeaways
- The Ommiades were the first dynastic caliphate ruling from 661 AD to 750 AD.
- They were instrumental in establishing an Islamic empire and laying the administrative and cultural foundations that significantly influenced later Islamic societies.
- The dynasty saw 14 caliphs and faced their end with the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Conclusion
The Ommiades played a pivotal role in shaping early Islamic history. Their rule showcased significant administrative, cultural, and military advancements while also facing major challenges and eventual downfall. Understanding the Ommiades deepens one’s perspective on the complexities and evolution of Islamic governance and civilization.
