Strengths
- The Umayyad civilization was a very prominent Meccan merchant clan.
- They had a very good reputation and network of alliances.
- The central location enabled of the Umayyad enabled them to maintain better communication with the Islamic empire
- The Umayyad were located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea this allowed them access to water and sea trade.
- The Umayyad's strict government style lead to increased morale in the Arabian conquerors
- The strong army on the Umayyad was a cause for expansion. The expansion moved east and northwest however there was little progress to the north.
- Caliphs: Mu' awiya, Al- Malik, Hisham
- They were inclusive of other religions however they did charge a tax when practicing a religion different from Islam
- Caliph Al-Malik introduced first Umayyad gold coins in 691 CE called Islamic coins. Islamic coins replaced both Sassanian and Byzantine coins
Weaknesses
- The Umayyads showed favor towards the Arabs as a result Umayyad Caliphs became alienated from other Arabs.
- The tightly centralized rule and the favor shown to Arabs created societal problems such as hostility between the arabs and the lower class.
- Th e Umayyads were including of other religions however you had to pay a tax if you were to practice religions that weren't Islam.
- The existence of ruling elites was not compatible with the egalitarian religion.
- They ran out of money and feuds soon broke out between tribes.
- The lack of money also caused the army to make less conquests which led to less treasure for the empires.
- The civilization soon drifted from the previously warring lifestyle , and instead went in the direction of a more greedy lifestyle.
- The Umayyads veered away from the idea of simplicity that Muhammad and Abu Bakr started.