Baghdad Iraq: Ancient Civilizations Behind The Modern Capital

Baghdad, Iraq was established by Abbasid dynasty as capital in 8th century marking new era after defeat of Umayyad Caliphate. Founded on 30 July 762 CE designed by Caliph al-Mansur second Abbasid Caliph Abu Jaafar Al Mansur, it replaced Seleucia-Ctesiphon Sasanian capital 35 km southeast virtually abandoned by end of 8th century. Location selected after careful study not far from other ancient capitals Mesopotamian civilizations such as Opis of Akkadians, Seleucia of Seleucus and Parthians, and Ctesiphon of Sassanians, on banks of Tigris River.

The City Of 162,000 Bricks

According to 11th-century scholar Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi in his History of Baghdad each course of city wall consisted of 162,000 bricks for first third of wall height. Wall was 80 ft high crowned with battlements flanked by bastions deep moat ringed outer wall perimeter. Thousands of architects engineers legal experts surveyors carpenters blacksmiths diggers laborers from across Abbasid Caliphate brought in to survey measure excavate foundations. Ya'qubi in Book of Countries thought there were 100,000 workers involved. They say no other round city is known in all regions of world according to Al-Khatib.

By 766 Mansur’s Round City was complete. Ninth-century essayist polymath polemicist al-Jahiz said I have seen cities noted for durable construction in districts of Syria Byzantine territory other provinces but never seen city of greater height more perfect circularity more endowed with superior merits possessing more spacious gates more perfect defenses than Al Zawra Baghdad that is city of Abu Jafar al-Mansur. Four equidistant gates pierced outer walls where straight roads led to center city. Kufa Gate southwest and Basra Gate southeast opened onto Sarat canal key part network waterways that drained waters of Euphrates into Tigris. Sham Syrian Gate northwest led to main road onto Anbar and across desert to Syria. To northeast Khorasan Gate lay close to Tigris leading to bridge of boats across it.

Bricks used were 18 in 460 mm on all four sides. Abu Hanifah was counter of bricks and developed canal which brought water to work site for both human consumption and manufacture of bricks. Marble also used to make buildings throughout city marble steps led down to river edge. Basic framework two large semicircles about 19 km diameter inner city connecting them designed as circle about 2 km diameter leading to be known as Round City. Original design shows single ring of residential and commercial structures along inside city walls final construction added another ring inside first. Within city many parks gardens villas promenades large sanitation department many fountains public baths unlike contemporary European cities at time streets frequently washed free debris trash. By time Harun al-Rashid Baghdad had few thousand hammams baths increased public hygiene served way religious perform ablutions as prescribed by Islam entry fees usually so low almost everyone could afford them.

On Tigris Between Opis And Ctesiphon

After fall of Umayyads first Muslim dynasty victorious Abbasid rulers wanted own capital from which they could rule. They chose site north of Sasanian capital of Ctesiphon and on 30 July 762 caliph al-Mansur commissioned construction built under guidance of Iranian Barmakids. Mansur believed Baghdad was perfect city to be capital of Islamic Empire under Abbasids. Muslim historian al-Tabari reported ancient prediction by Christian monks that lord named Miklas would one day build spectacular city around area Baghdad when al-Mansur heard story became joyful for legend he was called Miklas as child. Mansur loved site so much quoted This is indeed city that I am to found where I am to live and where my descendants will reign afterward. In early years city was known as deliberate reminder of expression in Qur'an when refers to Paradise.

It took four years to build 764–768. July chosen as starting time because two astrologers Naubakht Ahvazi Iranian Zoroastrian and Mashallah Iranian Jew believed city should be built under sign of lion Leo. Leo associated with fire symbolizes productivity pride expansion connection symbolically to Mithra. Two designers hired by Al-Mansur to plan city design were Naubakht Zoroastrian who also determined date foundation astrologically auspicious and Mashallah Jew from Khorasan Iran.

City growth helped by excellent location at least two factors it had control over strategic and trading routes along Tigris and abundance of water in dry climate water exists both north and south ends allowing all households plentiful supply quite uncommon. City quickly became so large it had to be divided into three judicial districts Madinat al-Mansur Round City al-Sharqiyya al-Karkh and Askar al-Mahdi on West Bank. Al-Mansur also planned al-Karkh district so he could separate markets from Round City to keep turbulent populace away from Round City ensure gates would not be open at night for markets. Over time markets became diverse home to merchants craftsmen. Officials with title Muhtasib hired to look after markets prevent cheating check weighs measures stocks. Markets that developed sophisticated because government supervision products trade amongst each other advanced banking system developed allowing further settlement outsiders. Baghdad location between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers created trade link to further destinations such as China India Armenia drawing more people literature knowledge to city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Baghdad Located And Why Chosen?

Central Iraq on banks Tigris River selected after careful study not far from ancient capitals Opis Akkadians Seleucia Seleucus Parthians Ctesiphon Sassanians 30 km southeast control strategic trading routes along Tigris abundance water dry climate water north south ends plentiful supply critical link trade routes mild climate topography critical fortification proximity water Khurasan Road meeting place caravan routes all directions.

How Was Round City Of Al-Mansur Built?

Founded 30 July 762 CE designed al-Mansur guided Iranian Barmakids four years build 764-768 100000 workers thousands architects engineers surveyors carpenters blacksmiths bricks 18 in 460 mm four sides 162000 bricks each course first third height wall 80 ft high battlements bastions deep moat outer wall two large semicircles 19 km diameter inner city circle 2 km diameter Round City double ring residential commercial four equidistant gates Kufa southwest Basra southeast onto Sarat canal draining Euphrates into Tigris Sham Syrian northwest to Anbar Syria Khorasan northeast close Tigris bridge boats 44 m thick base 12 m top 30 m high merlons embrasures second wall 50 m towers rounded merlons glacis bricks quicklime moat astrologers Naubakht Ahvazi Zoroastrian Mashallah Jew Khorasan date under sign Leo lion fire productivity pride expansion Abu Hanifah counter bricks canal water manufacture marble steps river edge.

What Ancient Capitals Lie Near Baghdad?

Opis Akkadians Seleucia first capital Seleucid Empire Ctesiphon Sasanian capital 35 km southeast virtually abandoned end 8th century shrine town Salman Pak south Greater Baghdad Salman Persian buried Ctesiphon replaced absorbed Seleucia earlier replaced Babylon Sasanian city Gur Fars 500 years before nearly identical circular design radiating avenues government temples center earlier circular cities Mari Tell Chuera Tell al-Rawda Bronze Age Syria contrast Greek Roman squares rectangles right angles.

How Did Baghdad Become Center Of Learning?

Center Caliphate Islamic Golden Age 9th 10th centuries largest city worldwide beginning 10th century mid-8th to Mongol conquest mid-13th center civilizations crux economic informational trade routes Khurasan Road gates Kufah pilgrims Mecca Anbar bridges canals Euphrates markets sophisticated supervision weights measures quality advanced banking settlement outsiders location between Tigris Euphrates trade link China India Armenia people literature knowledge parks gardens villas promenades sanitation fountains public baths streets washed few thousand hammams Harun al-Rashid public hygiene ablutions entry low cabarets taverns backgammon chess plays concerts acrobats storytellers Arabian Nights profession al-Qaskhun.

What Ended Abbasid Baghdad In 1258?

Decline Iranian Intermezzo 9th to 11th centuries destroyed Mongolian invasion 1258 Round City partially ruined siege 812-813 Caliph al-Amin killed brother walls destroyed by 912 nothing remains no agreement location. Rebuilt flourished Ilkhanid never former glory sacked Timur 1401 fell Turkic briefly Safavid Persia 1508 Ottoman 1534 dissolution Ottoman Baghdad British Mandate 1920 capital Kingdom Iraq 1932 Republic 1958 largest Iraq second-largest Arab world after Cairo second-largest West Asia after Tehran metro 7000000 nine districts.

Baghdad endures because it was designed as idea before city. A 2 km circle drawn under Leo in July 762 with 162,000 bricks per course four gates pointing to Kufa Basra Syria Khurasan green dome 48 m high at centre became map of how Near East understood power — Gur 500 years earlier Mari millennia earlier same radiating avenues same central mosque. To stand where Sarat canal drained Euphrates into Tigris is to see why Opis Seleucia Ctesiphon were absorbed and why modern capital of 7,000,000 still sits on their meeting point.