Umayyad Caliphate

Era: Early Islamic Era

Founder: Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan

Location: Middle East, North Africa, Iberian Peninsula, Central Asia

Start Year: 661

End Year: 750

The Umayyad Caliphate, established in 661 CE after the assassination of Caliph Ali, was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Headquartered in Damascus, the Umayyads oversaw one of the largest empires in history at the time, stretching from the Iberian Peninsula in the west to the Indus River in the east. The dynasty was founded by Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, a prominent companion of the Prophet, and was notable for its hereditary succession system, which marked a departure from the previous caliphal tradition. The Umayyads played a crucial role in spreading Islam and Arab culture, with Arabic becoming the administrative language of the vast empire. Under their rule, the Islamic world experienced tremendous expansion, advancements in architecture, and the construction of monumental buildings like the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. However, the dynasty was also marked by internal strife, ethnic divisions—particularly between Arabs and non-Arabs (mawali)—and criticism for its lavish lifestyle. These issues eventually led to their downfall in 750 CE when the Abbasid Revolution overthrew them. Despite their fall, a branch of the Umayyad family survived in al-Andalus (modern Spain), where they established the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba. The Umayyads remain significant for laying foundational political and administrative frameworks in the Islamic world.