Global Connection

THE ‘ABBASID CALIPHATE AND CHARLEMAGNE

Consider how these differences affected the two leaders' diplomatic exchanges.

Notice the differences in sophistication between the Muslim capital and Charlemagne's court.

"Put Yourself There" online assignment: "Two Points of View"

Imagine yourself a Carolingian diplomat in the court of Muslim caliph Harun al-Raschid. What of accomplishments of Carolingian culture would you capitalize on to convince the caliph of the significance of the empire of Charlemagne. Now imagine yourself a chronicler of the ‘Abbasid caliphate. In light of your Baghdad surroundings, why might you not be as impressed with the Carolingian guests as they would have thought.

Today's Connection:

Today the technological and economic parity between between the West and the Baghdad is reversed. How do differences in diplomatic styles of the Middle East and the West affect negotiations, or nation building efforts.