Character and legacy Abbas I of Persia

tomb, mausoleum of shah abbas i.

according roger savory: shah abbas possessed in abundance qualities entitle him styled great . brilliant strategist , tactician chief characteristic prudence. preferred obtain ends diplomacy rather war, , showed immense patience in pursuing objectives. in michael axworthy s view, abbas talented administrator , military leader, , ruthless autocrat. reign outstanding creative period of safavid era. civil wars , troubles of childhood (when many of relatives murdered) left him dark twist of suspicion , brutality @ centre of personality.

the cambridge history of iran rejects view death of abbas marked beginning of decline of safavid dynasty iran continued prosper throughout 17th century, blames him poor statesmanship of later safavid shahs: elimination of royal princes, whether blinding or immuring them in harem, exclusion affairs of state , contact leading aristocracy of empire , generals, abuses of princes education, nothing new became normal practice abbas @ court of isfahan, put stop training of competent successors, say, efficient princes prepared meet demands of ruling kings.

abbas fluent in turkish dialect used turkoman portion of multi-ethnic qizilbash organization, although equally @ ease speaking persian, language of administration , culture, of majority of population, of court when isfahan became capital under reign (1598). according garcía de silva figueroa, spanish ambassador safavid court during abbas later reign, heard abbas speak georgian, had doubtlessly acquired georgian gholams , concubines.

abbas gained strong support common people. sources report him spending of time among them, visiting bazaars , other public places in isfahan. short in stature physically strong until health declined in final years, abbas go long periods without needing sleep or eat , ride great distances. @ age of 19 abbas shaved off beard, keeping moustache, setting fashion in iran.