Chapter 7 Part II Chapter 7 Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamic Civilization to South and Southeast Asia I. Introduction A. Mid 9th century losing control 1. Rebellious governors 2. new challenging dynasties B. ?but still creative ? ironically ? a golden age without political stability 1. architecture 2. fine arts 3. literature 4. philosophy 5. mathematics and science C. Territorial growth ? warriors, traders, wandering mystics 1. political conquest 2. peaceful conversion D. Conduit for exchange ? between urban/agrarian centers and between nomadic peoples 1. ideas 2. plants and medicines 3. commercial goods 4. inventions II. The Islamic Heartlands in the Middle and Late Abbasid Eras